Canadian Sommelier, On-Air (TV, radio) Wine & Spirits Somm, Valpolicella Wine Specialist
Straw-gold colour, the nose offers ripe stone fruit, orchard fruits, spring blossoms, and a hint of wildflower honey, accompanied by a subtle mineral note. On the palate, it's generous, with vibrant flavors of stone fruit, pear, and a touch of citrus zest that lingers on the finish. A delightful wine to enjoy this spring and summer. Tasted May 2025. 90 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.QuercusVino.ca
Light gold colour, the nose is inviting with rich orchard fruit, baked apple, pineapple, melon, and a hint of hazelnut. Full-bodied and creamy, offering an array of luscious orchard and tropical fruit flavors. The winemaker's careful attention in crafting this fine wine included fermenting in stainless steel followed by aging in French oak, and a small amount of Hungarian and Bulgarian oak. The result is a great expression of high quality and great value Niagara Chardonnay. Rich, ripe, and creamy, it’s a wine that showcases both the depth and power of the 2018 vintage. A testament to the skill of winemaker Sue-Ann Staff and the high quality fruit she's working with to offer such impressive wines at great prices. Enjoy over the next five years. Tasted March 2025. 90 points. Matt Steeves
While its bold character makes it a fantastic pairing with hearty BBQ fare, particularly grilled meats and vegetables on a smoker, its spicy character and rich dark fruit makes it a perfect option for enjoying with braised dishes throughout the year. Tasted in March 2025. 92 points - Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
the earthy sweetness of roasted beets. These aromas combine to create a nuanced and multi-layered bouquet that invites deep exploration. On the palate, elegant and beautifully composed. Medium to full-bodied, it reveals a repeating pattern of dusty plum, raspberry, black tea, and graphite, which carry through from the nose with great persistence. The balance between fruit, structure, and acidity is impressive. Proprietor/vintner Taylor Emmerson and winemaker Jonathan McLean have beautifully crafted a wine that is sophisticated, complex, yet so approachable. Fine, ripe tannins frame the wine’s complexity, offering a smooth yet substantial mouthfeel. The acidity adds freshness, while the wine’s rich fruit and savory depth linger on a long, pleasant finish. For those seeking a nuanced, terroir-driven wine, Black Bank Hill Cabernet Franc 2022 offers an exciting opportunity to experience the potential of this region and how big reds can shine in Niagara. Its deep, complex flavors and structured elegance make it a perfect candidate for medium-term cellaring, though its current expression is perfectly primed for enjoyment as soon as it's released in late March/early spring 2025. Black Bank Hill Cabernet Franc 2022 is a stellar example of Niagara Cabernet Franc, offering a complex mix of fruit, savory notes, and minerality. At $40 a bottle, this wine delivers great value for collectors and enthusiasts alike, offering both immediate enjoyment and medium-term aging potential.
Founded in 1985, Rizzini is a small, family-owned winery in the heart of Franciacorta, Italy, dedicated exclusively to crafting vintage Blanc de Blancs sparkling wines from their 'single cru' vineyard. Nestled at the base of the Monticelli Brusati hills, their two-hectare estate was replanted in 1995 and 2000, focusing entirely on Chardonnay — where they have been focused on producing the finest expressions of traditional method sparkling wine from their unique terroir each year.
The 2022 vintage presented challenges, yet it resulted in fruit of exceptional quality. Hester Creek's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon showcases the remarkable potential of this variety in the southern Okanagan. Despite a cooler-than-usual spring, the extended growing season allowed the fruit to fully ripen, with some even slightly withering on the vine. This extended maturation resulted in a beautifully balanced and harmonious Cabernet with impressive aromatic and flavor complexity. The wine reveals a deep ruby color, with a nose offering fragrant dark fruits, sweet spices, dried fruits, cassis, forest floor, and a hint of graphite. On the palate, dark fruits, spices, and herbal notes persist, leading to a long, lingering finish. The tannins are exceptionally soft and well-integrated, a true testament to both the terroir and winemaking expertise. Tasted over two days, the wine showed even greater harmony and enjoyment on day two. Best enjoyed between 2025 and 2035, with decanting recommended before serving. Tasted January 2025. 93+ points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
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!
Renowned Valpolicella producer, Tommasi, launched an ultra-premium label after two decades in the making. It's called De Buris (shown as DE BVRIS on the label), and they produce one single vineyard riserva Amarone from the La Groletta vineyard in Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella.
This family run winery is situated minutes north of Verona in the heart of Valpolicella's Valpantena Valley. It's here where the winemaking team of Mauro (father) and Sofia (daughter) produce their impressive Brolo (wall) del Figaretto Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Valpantena. This wine caught my attention a few years ago with its super approachable, ripe, balanced, and complex profile. Each vintage I've tasted since has impressed so when I visited Verona this winter it was first winery I visited, and as expected, it impressed.
2019 Secondo Marco Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG (barrel sample) – While winemaker Marco Speri plans to let this wine rest for another three years in barrel before bottling, it is already showing beautifully and is expected to gain further integration and complexity leading up to its release in 2027. This is a wine worthy of investment, one that will show beautifully upon release and over the next three decades. Anticipated optimal drinking window: 2027-2050. Score: 96+ points.
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