Edward Rasiulis

Le Clos Jordanne Claystone Terrace Chardonnay 2008

Rich gold in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positive: A complex wine featuring medium toasted oak, buttery cheddar croissant, lime, musky wood spice, butterscotch, pecans, apricots, quince & limestone. Medium+ body, good acidity, alcohol is well integrated & long length.

Negatives: A little bitterness on the finish.

Interesting Point: I recommend the larger Chard glass as it cuts the bitterness that a smaller glass will accentuate. I lucked out & bought this wine at LCBO for $28.05.

Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or paired with surf & turf.

Tasted: 11 May 12

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (on sale: 9+/10), Score: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Morgan Highland Chardonnay 2010, Santa Lucia Highlands

Bright deep gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A smooth Chard with good fruit

Positives: This wine features medium toasted oak with lemon, buttered corn, pineapple, peach, Allspice, yellow apple, apricots and limestone. Full body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with chicken a la King.

Tasted: 13 June 2014

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price 9/10), Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Château La Bienfaisance 2010, Ac St Emilion Grand Cru

An enjoyable wine, not sure I would pay the full price for it, but I might think twice when I try it again in 5 years

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, blackcurrants, mulberries, plums, Allspice, licorice, green twigs and leather. Medium to medium+ body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the 14% alcohol

Interesting Note:

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with roasted venison tenderloin.

Tasted: 27 Sept 2014

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance price: 8.5+/10), Total: 17+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 10 Chardonnay 2010, Marlborough, South Island

Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose.

This Chard could compete with wines double its price

Positives: This wine features medium toasted spicy oak, lemon, pineapple, peach, Northern Spy apple, ginger, caramelized sugar & roasted marshmallow. Full body and with good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Single vineyard whose grapes were mostly handpicked.

Drink now or over the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Cornish hen.

Tasted: 7 February 2014

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Clearance Price 10/10) Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Château Puech Haut Prestige Saint Drézéry 2009, Dop Languedoc

Dark ruby in colour with medium intense nose.

Positives: Plums, dark chocolate, bramble fruit, blueberry, cassis, oak, tobacco leaf, radicchio, dark cherry & earthy minerality. This wine is medium to full body, very long length, good acidity & high tannins.

Negatives: There's a lot of heat coming from the alcohol, as well I found this wine too austere with bitter notes.

Interesting Notes: I tried this wine 24 hours later hoping that the wine would mellow out somewhat, but it was the same as I had it before.

Tasted: 16 Dec 11.

Score: 8/10, Value: 6.5/10, Total: 14.5/20

Château De Landiras 2010, Ac Graves

Dark garnet to ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A juicy & delicious wine from the Graves region.

Positives: Nothing shy about this wine which features cedar, blackcurrants, cinnamon, dark chocolate, Kahlua, raspberry, cigar box, turmeric, graphite, and spinach leaves. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: ‘In 1173, William the Knight Templar, Archbishop of Bordeaux, bought the land of Landiras and the fortress previously built by the lords of Landiras. In 1306, the castle of Landiras was rebuilt on the ruins of the fortress. This château gave its name to the estate, Château de Landiras. Today, a magnificent barbican stands as a testimony of the past fame of Château de Landiras. During the 17th century, the Château used to be the residence of the most important owner of all times, Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac, founder of the order The Company of Mary Our Lady. This is the reason why the Château is still a place for pilgrimage.’ (Chateau Landiras)

Drink now or over the next 5 year on its own or pair it with Roquefort cheese

Tasted: 17 Aug 2013

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Villa Mt. Eden Grand Reserve Bien Nacido Chardonnay 2007, Santa Maria Valley

Deep gold in colour with high intensity on the nose.

Positives: A powerful nose showing creme brûlée, buttered popcorn, peaches & cream corn and medium toasted oak. The taste is more refined showing lemon, apple crumble pie, creme brûlée, mango, pineapple, butter popcorn, peaches & cream corn with a medium tossed oak. Full body, good acidity, long finish & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: The powerful nose is a little too much that it detracts from the enjoyment of drinking the wine. Pity.

Interesting Point: Use the large Chard glass.

Drink now on its own or pair it with lobster & drawn butter.

Tasted: 10 Feb 12

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Arcadia Chardonnay 2007, Napa Valley

Light gold in colour with medium intensity nose.

Positives: Lemon zest, green apple, celery, kiwi & limestone. Medium body with good acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: There is nothing wrong with this chard, but I just expected more at this price.

Drink now in its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

Tasted: 19 Feb 12

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 7/10, Total: 15.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Grant Burge The Holy Trinity Grenache/Shriaz/Mourvèdre 2007, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Medium+ ruby to garnet with a purple tinge and a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Cedar, dried blueberry & raspberry, slate, peppers (red, black & white), plums, leather & moss. Medium to full body with medium to medium minus tannins, good acidity, medium+ length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: The 14.5% alcohol. Tastes more like a wine $10 cheaper.

Interesting Point: Check out my comparison to Turkey Flat Butcher's Block SGM.

Drink now on its own or pair it with BBQ baby back ribs.

Tasted: 27 Jan 12

Score: 9/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Mas Des Restanques Gigondas 2009, Ac

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Nice red fruits on the nose & taste with some sandalwood & Macintosh apples.

Negatives: A little austere right now with noticeable heat from the high alcohol. I found it a little watery.

Interesting Notes: Has elegant potential so lay it down for another 5 years. Interesting modern label to try to appease the nouveau wine drinker. Too bad I’m somewhat of a traditionalist.

Tasted: 26 Sept 11.

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 16.5/20.

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3