Edward Rasiulis

Hogue Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Wahluke Slope

Medium garnet in colour and medium+ intense nose.

Positives: A lighter style of Cab showing medium oak, mushrooms, black currants, spinach, leather, pencil shavings, turmeric, sage and an undertone of plums and cherry. Medium body with tight tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little heat on the finish from the 14.3% alcohol.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Beef Stroganoff with Shitake mushrooms.

Tasted: 23 April 13

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 17+/20

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

Landmark Overlook Chardonnay 2010, Sonoma County

Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A solid Chard with good complexity.

Positives: Lots of tropical fruit that blends well with the integrated oak. In addition, there’s sweet spice, some nuttiness, creaminess and minerality on the finish. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Slight heat from the 14.2% alcohol

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with rotisserie Cornish hens.

Tasted: 23 Aug 2013

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance price: 8.5+/10) Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Le Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Chardonnay 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Quality wine that is well balanced at a reasonable price, and a best buy if you can get it at the clearance price.

Positives: This wine features well-integrated oak, mild toast, maple, lemon, peach, pineapple, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I tried this wine in several different Riedel style Chardonnay glasses and found the larger new world style to be the best.

Drink now or over the next year on its own or pair it with seared scallops with a hint of nutmeg and cracked pepper over angel hair pasta tossed in olive oil with basil and grape tomatoes.

Tasted: 29 July 2013

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Dopff & Irion Vorbourg Pinot Gris 2009, Ac Alsace Grand Cru

Golden honey in colour with a medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: It's been a long time since I tasted a really good Pinot Gris. This features white birch, honey, apricot, white peach, lychee, sweet potato with butter, cinnamon & nutmeg. Off-dry with medium acidity, fairly long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: Danger Will Robinson! This wine is so good it's hard not to drink 2 bottles in one sitting, but the real danger is that's its 14.5% alcohol.

Interesting Point: On a blind taste I would have guessed this as a Viognier or Gewürztraminer. Use the Viognier style glass if you have one. Unusual for a Pinot Gris to have 14.5% alcohol.

Drink now or over the next 8-12 years on its own or pair it with a spicy dish.

Tasted: 22 Nov 12

Top Pick & Best Buy

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 10/10, Score: 19.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Chardonnay 2011, Atalayas Vineyard, Casablanca Valley

Light gold in colour with medium+ intense nose.

A nice balance between oak, fruit and minerality.

Positives: Light to medium toasted oak featuring lemon drops, pears, peach, buttered popcorn, a touch of honey and limestone. Full body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or cellar it for another 5 years. Pair it with roasted turkey.

Tasted: 11 June 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Santa Ema Amplus One 2008, Peumo

Deep ruby in colour with an intense nose.

I feel the sale price is the proper price for this wine.

Positives: An intense wine featuring cedar, black currants, peppercorn, cherry, tamarind, leather, tomato leaf, sage & eucalyptus. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot from the 14% alcohol.

Interesting Notes: Santa Ema is a sustainable winery. Amplus is Latin meaning: important, honourable, eminent, & distinguished.

Drink now on its own or pair it with mustard crusted lamb chops with mint sauce.

Tasted: 1 May 13

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5 Total: 17.5/20

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

Clos Du Bois Calcaire Chardonnay 2010, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: Medium toasted oak with buttered popcorn, lemon, peach, green apple, grapefruit, pear, cinnamon, butterscotch & limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: A touch too sour in the mid palate.

Interesting Point: Calcaire means limestone or chalk and describes the soil that the grapes come from.

Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with lobster & drawn butter.

Tasted 24 Nov 12

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

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

Pierre Amadieu Romane Machotte Gigondas 2010, Ac

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a muted nose.

Now this is an easy drinking wine!
Positives: Cedar, cassis, blackberry, plum, thyme, rosemary, white and black peppers and bay leaves. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length. The 14.5% alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: Muted nose

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with rack of lamb.

Tasted: 4 March 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

Simon Di Brazzan Merlot Riserva 2010, Igt Venezia Giulia

Medium ruby to in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A nice easy drinking wine.

Positive Notes: Good flavours featuring light oak, raspberry, plum, cherry, black tea and cocoa. Medium+ body with medium to Medium+ tannins, good acidity & an average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or over the next 2 years and pair it with prime rib.

Tasted: 13 June 13

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Treana Marsanne/Viognier 2009, Central Coast

Description: Deep gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Positives: This is the closest to a Condrieu without being one that I have tasted to date, and I love Condrieu, so it goes without saying why I made this my favourite wine of the tasting event. The wine is oily and smooth as silk, featuring light oak, Ylang Ylang, pineapple, macadamia nuts, lemon, East Indian mangos, peaches and white pepper.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This is so good that I could easily drink two bottles in a night. In Vintages now and I’m slowly buying up the stock.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with seared Chilean sea bass with roasted root vegetables.

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+