Tag: sommelier

wine review: St. Hugo Chardonnay 2023 – Eden Valley, Australia – now at LCBO

St. Hugo Chardonnay stands as a great example of Eden Valley’s cool-climate elegance. From the first encounter, the nose is alive with zesty citrus, delicate stone fruit, and a blend of fresh herbs, melon, and a whisper of pineapple. These aromas are beautifully restrained, leaning towards crisp citrus rather than the heavy tropical fruit notes found in warmer climates. An exceptional expression of Eden Valley, this wine is already impressive, yet it holds the potential to age gracefully over the next decade.

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wine review: Sempre Mio Marsanne 2023 – VQA Lincoln Lakeshore – Corey Mio Home Vineyard

Corey Mio's debut wine from their Beamsville-based home vineyard in the Lincoln Lakeshore sub-appellation of the Niagara Peninsula. Sempre Mio Marsanne 2023 is a low production (105 cases) blend of 87% Marsanne, 13% Viognier (clone 1042), which was co-fermented following harvest on October 5th 2023. Natural primary and malolactic fermentation in a combo of 2nd fill and neutral French oak barrels for 11 months. The nose is very pretty and fresh, with honeydew melon, poached pear, quince, roasted nuts, and lanolin. Dry and deliciously creamy, with impressive refreshing acidity for this varietal, the palate shows layers of ripe orchard fruit, pithy citrus, chamomile, and custard, with a slight nuttiness on the finish. A unique wine from Niagara, and one that is certain to impress any palate given its approachable style yet very complex bouquet and flavour profile. Enjoy over the next 5-10 years with roast chicken, creamy pasta, or pan-fried trout with a butter sauce and honey-mango compote. Tasted November 2024. 93+ points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca

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wine review: LAN Gran Reserva 2016

Ottawa, ON October 2024 Matt’s review: LAN Gran Reserva 2016, a blend of 97% Tempranillo and 3% Mazuelo (Carignan) grapes sourced from low-yielding bush vines in the esteemed Rioja Alta region, this Gran Reserva tells a story of heritage and tradition. It spent over two years in barrel followed by three years in bottle before... Continue Reading →

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wine review: Stonebridge Reserve Cabernet Franc 2019, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara, Canada

Stonebridge 2019 Reserve Cabernet Franc comes from a single vineyard along the Twenty Mile Bench which is renowned for producing world-class cool climate wines. This reserve tier Cabernet Franc is exceptionally elegant and refreshing with delicious dark fruit, cherry, chocolate covered cherries, counterbalanced with expressive graphite, tobacco, and earthy notes. The palate is exceptionally fresh and vibrant with more cherry, plum, and dusty fine tannins, beautifully integrated, leading to a long refreshing finish. Enjoy over the next decade with game dishes, braised lamb, or wood-fired pizza. Tasted October 2024. 93 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca

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wine review: Foreign Affair Winery Dream 2020

Dream incorporates some appassimento grapes in an expressive and textured Bordeaux blend that's sure to please. 52% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Franc, and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, with a small portion left to wither and concentrate the flavours, the result it a deeply coloured wine with aromas of bramble berry pie, Saskatoon berry crumble, anise, dark plum, chocolate orange, and herbs. The palate highlights the fleshy dark fruit, more plum, and dark chocolate with fine tannins leading to a refreshing and finely textured finish. A great wine to enjoy with bold BBQ, Mexican chicken mole, or wood fired pizza. Tasted October 2024. 91 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca

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