Canadian Sommelier, On-Air (TV, radio) Wine & Spirits Somm, Valpolicella Wine Specialist
Poplar Grove’s The Legacy 2019 is a tour de force of power, depth, precision and poise, an exceptional Bordeaux-style blend from the sun-drenched southern Okanagan Valley. A blend of 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Malbec, this deeply coloured, opaque red is as commanding in the glass as it is on the palate.
Ottawa, ON December 2024 Matt’s review: Checkmate 2021 Little Pawn Chardonnay With each vintage CheckMate further demonstrates their exceptional winemaking artistry highlighting the great potential of the impressive vineyards they work with to craft their world-class wines. While 2021 brought unprecedented challenges during the growing season, the team at CheckMate delivered the consistent high-quality standard... Continue Reading →
Hester Creek’s 2022 Syrah is a wine that demands a place in your collection. South Okanagan terroir in a glass... such a great wine at a very attractive price!
The Judge 2021 is a deep ruby colour with slight garnet hue, the nose shows dark plum, black berries, dark cherry, savoury desert herbs, cedar, earth, and graphite. The palate shows great intensity of flavour with refreshing plum, fine integrated dusty tannins, with savoury dark fruit, spice, and pepper persisting on the long textured finish. A serious wine that beautifully showcases the unique vintage characteristics from this esteemed Golden Mile Bench estate. Enjoy over the next decade with rosemary and garlic grilled lamb chops or Parmesan crusted steak skewers. Tasted July 2024 and July 2025. 94 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
Noble Ridge's 2022 Rosé shows ripe orchard fruits, sweet stone fruit, tropical fruit and candied apple with a hint of Okanagan desert herbs. The palate is fresh and lively with a nice weight. Layers of ripe fruit persist on the long finish making this an absolute stunner for patio sipping as well as enjoying with hors d'oeuvres, salads with goat cheese and fresh strawberries, grilled salmon, and roasted chicken with cherry-thyme compote. Enjoy now and over the next two years. Tasted November 2023. 92 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
Ottawa, ON July 2021 Matt's review: Winemaker's Cut Fidelia blends 95% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscat Canelli from Deadman Lake Vineyard in the heart of the Okanagan, to produce an easy to love style of sparkling wine that will shine in any setting. Fidelia 2020 shows delicious orchard and tropical fruit, floral notes, and a... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON August 2020 Matt's review: Meritage 2017, Burrowing Owl's flagship wine, is a blend of (59%) Cabernet Sauvignon, (20%) Merlot, (18%) Cabernet Franc, and (3%) Petit Verdot, all estate grown from their Oliver-based winery in the heart of the Okanagan Valley. Vinified and barrel-aged separately for 15 months in a blend of French and... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON April 2020 Matt's review: CheckMate Artisanal Winery produces world-class Chardonnay and Merlot from their Golden Mile Bench winery situated in Canada’s wine capital, Oliver, BC. 2014 End Game is a rich and concentrated expression of ultra premium Okanagan Merlot. Sourced from the Osoyoos East Bench and Black Sage Bench in the heart of... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON June 2018 Matt's review: Winemaker's Cut Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from Deadman Lake Vineyard located between Canada's wine capital, Oliver, BC, and Osoyoos, BC, at the southern end of Canada's pocket desert, the Okanagan Valley. The south of the Okanagan Valley is renowned for producing big, ripe, and beautifully balanced reds, and where big... Continue Reading →
Ottawa, ON February 2018 Matt's review: For over 20 years Burrowing Owl has been producing some of Canada's finest wines, from the Wine Capital of Canada, Oliver, BC. Their 2014 Meritage is a blend of (31%) Merlot, (21.4%) Cabernet Franc, (21.4%) Cabernet Sauvignon, (10.7%) Malbec, and (10%) Petit Verdot that were hand picked and sorted,... Continue Reading →
Quercus Vino 