Canadian Sommelier, On-Air (TV, radio) Wine & Spirits Somm, Valpolicella Wine Specialist
The 2021 GVR Pinot Noir is an outstanding expression of premium Okanagan Pinot. Texture, elegance, expressive and very approachable, this is a pure expression of the Garnet Valley Ranch vineyard terroir.
Ottawa, ON Matt's review: Situated along the Osoyoos East Bench, at the very southern limit of the Okanagan Valley, is where Moon Curser's vineyards are located. It's here in arguably the warmest vineyards in the Okanagan where you'll find the only plantings of Touriga Nacional in the Okanagan, and after tasting the wine you might... Continue Reading →
Planted with Dijon clones from Burgundy, in one of Niagara’s premiere ‘Grand Cru’ quality vineyards, on the Jordan Bench, 2020 vintage marks the fourth since the revival of LCJ in 2019 with the 2017 vintage crafted by Thomas Bachelder. Consistently one of the top quality Pinots in Ontario, the 2020 shows expressive field berries, savoury cherry, dark chocolate, herbs, flint, and wood spice on the nose. Medium bodied, the palate shows refreshing cherry, delicate spices, and great texture with impressive flinty minerality on the long finish. Le Grand Clos wines are well suited to enjoy youthful, and will evolve beautifully over a decade, perhaps longer. Tasted April 2023. 93 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
Matt's review: Five Farms sources the fresh cream that makes the base of their premium Irish Cream Liqueur from five family-owned and operated farms in the south of Ireland in a region called County Cork. As they say a happy cow produces higher quality milk and one taste of Five Farms and you'll see why... Continue Reading →
A blend of 89% Merlot with 4% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc bringing additional aromatic and flavour complexity to this impressive wine. Ruby red with a garnet hue, the nose shows savoury dark fruits, plum, sweet spices, with a hint of wood smoke and familiar Okanagan Black Sage. A fantastic expression of premium Okanagan Merlot. Great intensity, exceptionally well balanced, the youthful fine grained tannins make this a great choice to enjoy with grilled steak, mushroom risotto, or firm aged cheese. Decant and enjoy over the next decade. Tasted September 2022. 93-94 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
Donnafugata's Sul Vulcano Etna Bianco DOC highlights the incredible minerality and texture this volcanic region is renowned for. The nose shows ripe citrus, fragrant floral blossom, and a very inviting sea breeze salinity. The palate is refreshing with a creaminess and pronounced minerality on the long finish. Enjoy with seafood, creamy pasta, BBQ shrimp, or your favourite hors d'oeuvre. Tasted March 2023. 92 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
O'Rourke Twisted Pine Chardonnay 2020 14% abv - $80 - Sourced from Block 4, by the Estate's 'twisted Pine tree', where four clones of Chardonnay form this block. The nose shows honey, nutty characteristics, hay, and some tropical fruit. Medium-full bodied with great texture, its elegant and layered, showing impressive complexity for such a youthful vineyard. Keep your eyes on this one over the next decade, it's destined to become a Lake Country icon.
2018 Zymé Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico (barrel sample)– Big and bold, deeply coloured, the nose shows rich dried red and dark fruits, with fragrant balsamic and tobacco notes. Fresh with great intensity of flavours, the palate is loaded with delicious dried fruit, raspberry, Fragrant nose showing dark fruits, roasted beets, sweet spices, herbs. Full bodied, with lively youthful tannis, there’s a remarkable freshness with dried dark fruits and raspberry notes persisting. An great wine from an iconic producer, and a wine you’ll want to enjoy over the next few decades. Drink 2028-2048+. 94-95+ points.
2018 Domini Veneti Jago Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG – From the renowned Valpolicella Cru vineyard, Jago, in the Classico region, Domini Veneti’s Jago Amarone shows impressive dried dark fruits, spice, balsamic and tobacco notes on the nose and repeating on the palate. Simply delicious, with a harmonious texture and balance, dried dark fruit, currants, and sweet spices persisting on the long finish. 93 points.
2018 Villa San Carlo Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG (barrel) – When tasted during the Anteprima tasting, it showed wonderfully. Very fresh, impressive complexity with spices, menthol, prunes, herbal, balsamic and dried cherry notes. Youthful fine-grained tannins, the palate shows refreshing bright cherry and dried fruits, some citrus and dark chocolate notes persisting too. An impressive preview of a wine that will be hitting markets in the near future, and one that will be enjoyed in the short, medium, and long term. Enjoy 2024-2035+. 93 points.
Quercus Vino 