Matt scored this wine: 93/100

Having tasted nearly every vintage of Nova 7 over the past two decades I always look forward to the launch of the latest vintage each April. This year marks the 17th vintage of Benjamin Bridge's Nova 7, a true gem from the east coast of Canada! Nova 7 is not only Nova Scotia's favorite wine but perhaps one of Canada's most loved wines too! ??? Made with a blend of Muscat, Ortega, Riesling, Geisenheim, l'Acadie, Vidal, and Petite Pearl, this wine truly captures the essence of its Atlantic terroir. The 2023 Nova 7 pays homage to its inaugural release sixteen years ago, echoing the same style and profile that quickly made it a fan-favourite, becoming a household name across Canada and now as it approaches two decades of vintages, an icon in the Canadian wine scene. From the moment your pour it, the fragrant aromatics lure you in, and when it touches your palate, prepare to be refreshed by elegant notes of marigold, lychee, and maritime salinity. This combination creates a great blend of complexity and delicacy that makes Nova 7 a fantastic thirst-quencher. The 2023 vintage shows great finesse, harmony, and balance. Another impressive vintage! Some may compare Nova 7 to Italy's Moscato d'Asti, given its gentle effervescence and off-dry, low-alcohol style. However, let me assure you that Nova 7 is in a league of its own. Crisper, perfectly balanced, more complex, and loaded with refreshing minerality, Nova 7 stands out as a wine unlike any other. It's no wonder that many Canadians have fallen in love with it, making it arguably Canada's favorite wine. Enjoy this spring, summer, and fall served chilled with spicy food, pastries, and artisanal cheese platters. Tasted April 2024. 93 points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca

Matt scored this wine: 93/100

Coming to LCBO on April 13th, Staete Landt State of Grace Pinot Noir from the Rapaura & Brancott sub appellations of Marlborough, NZ. Light ruby, the nose shows cherry, plum, herbs, rose petals, earthy notes, and minerality. The palate reveals the refreshing tart fruit, fine grained tannins, and harmonious balance. A serious Pinot with its impressive structure and complexity, a fantastic expression of this top of the line State of Grace label Pinot. Enjoy over the next five years with grilled lamb or pork tenderloin. Tasted April 2024. 93 points. Matt Steeves – www.quercusvino.ca

Matt scored this wine: 97/100

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 small 1.9 hectare cru-quality vineyard is on the most western limit of Valpolicella, situated at 250 meters above sea level with a south-west aspect overlooking Lake Garda. If you've visited Tedeschi's La Fabriseria vineyard at 500m and driven by the Pieve di San Giorgio, if you stop at the Piazza della Pieve to look westwards towards Lake Garda that's where La Groletta is, just below on that west-facing slope. The first vintage of De Buris Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva DOCG was 2008, now they're on the fourth vintage (2011), which is in market following more than a decade in the cellar. 2011 is considered among the best vintages for finesse and balance in Valpolicella. Tommasi's Oenologist, Giancarlo Tommasi, blended 65% Corvina, 24% Corvinone, 5% Rondinella, and 6% Oseleta creating what I would describe as a benchmark for elegance, harmony, and structure in Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG. The nose reveals a beautiful complex aromatic profile showing dried cherry, plum, sweet tobacco, dark chocolate, and spice. The palate repeats with a seductive harmonious texture and long finish. This is a masterpiece. 8,400 bottles and 107 magnums produced. De Buris Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva offers a unique tasting experience characterized by elegance, harmony, and longevity. Enjoy 2024 - 2050+ Tasted February 2024. 97 points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca

Matt scored this wine: 95/100

Incredible concentration, intensity, with bold and expressive dried fruit, cassis, spice, and balsamic evergreen notes. A blend of 85% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, and 5% Oseleta + Croatina, harvested a bit later than most appassimento-destined grapes, these were picked in late September and early October thus providing extra phenolic ripeness, body, and texture in the finished wine. A great vintage which is evident in the glass given the refreshing characteristic and overall harmony in this Riserva Amarone. The finish is long and textured showing decades of cellaring potential ahead. Enjoy 2024 - 2045+. Tasted February 2024. 95 points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca

Matt scored this wine: 94/100

Kenwood's Jack London Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a symphony of elegance and depth, a vinous delight sourced from the historic Jack London 'Beauty Ranch.' This single vineyard gem, composed of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, and a dash of (3%) Syrah, showcases the artistry of assemblage/ winemaking at its finest. With a lineage tracing back to the legendary Jack London (1876-1916), this vineyard has been exclusively sourced to Kenwood Vineyards since 1976, offering five decades of in-depth appreciation for the unique terroirs throughout this single vineyard. The volcanic soils and varied terrain across 23 distinct blocks contribute to the wine's complexity, allowing the fruit to be picked with precision when perfection is achieved. The 2019 Kenwood Jack London Vineyard Cabernet is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship. The nose is a captivating blend of plum, blackberry, cassis, and blueberry pastries, accompanied by intriguing notes of roasted beets, savory herbs, and a distinctive graphite minerality. The palate mirrors this aromatic symphony, delivering a remarkably fresh and harmonious texture. What sets this wine apart is its fine integration of tannins, showcasing a level of balance that is nothing short of impressive. The 2019 Jack London Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a fantastic expression of elegance, concentration, and overall harmony. For collectors, this wine is not just a momentary pleasure; it's an investment in the future. The 2019 vintage exhibits great cellaring potential, making it an ideal addition to any collection. A stellar choice to savor now and appreciate over the next decade and beyond. Tasted January 2024. 94 points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca Available at LCBO - February 3, 2024 - $59.95