Edward Rasiulis

Fernández De Piérola Reserva 2004

Medium minus ruby with a garnet rim in colour with a highly intense nose.

Positives: Elegant Reserva featuring sandalwood, cedar, cigar box, plums, dried cherry, incense, cloves, rosemary, leather, blackberry, hickory & earthy notes. Lots of complexity going here. Medium body, medium minus tannins, good acidity, long length & the wine is nicely balanced with only 13% alcohol.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: Decant this wine as there will be sediment at the bottom of the bottle. I like the classic Spanish label.

Drink now on its own or pair it with rack of lamb.

Tasted: 14 July 12

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Piper Heidsieck Brut, Champagne

Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose & fine mousse.

The sports car of Champagnes; fast, lean, racy & easy to drink

Positives: This complex wine features light toast & yeast, guava, honeysuckle, pear, green apples, pistachio, tobacco, melba toast & icing sugar on the finish. Light to medium body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: $20 more expensive in Ontario than Florida.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with raspberry point oysters.

Interesting Point: My wife’s go to Champagne, and if it were priced like Florida this would be a weekly staple.

Tasted: 5 January 2014

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Mayu Reserva Carmenère 2009, Elqui Valley

Dark ruby with a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: I'm not usually a Carmenere fan because a lot out there is boring. Well this is anything but featuring cedar, bramble fruit pie, tobacco, dried fig, mesquite, spiced apple, peppers (red, black & white), truffles, plums & ripe tamarind. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity & long length.

Negatives: There's heat coming from the 15% alcohol.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own as a meal or pair it with venison.

Tasted: 16 June 12

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Stags' Leap Winery Viognier 2011, Napa Valley

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

Positives: A nice Viognier that reminds me more of the Argentine Torrontes. This wine features peach, nectarine, tangerine peel, lemon, grapefruit, limestone and a touch of rosemary. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 3 years, on its own or pair it with deviled eggs.

Tasted: 10 Dec 12

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

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

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+

Burrowing Owl Merlot 2010, VQA Okanagan Valley

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

Positive Notes: This merlot has nice juicy flavor featuring raspberry, plums, dark chocolate, thyme, sweet basil and vanilla. Full body with medium to Medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot on the taste

Drink now on its own or over the next 5 years and pair it with beef Bourguignon.

Tasted: 13 June 13

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 7.5/20

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

Boutari Grande Reserve Xinomavro 2008, Pdo Naoussa

Classic Old Word aged wine at a bargain price

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features dusty old wood, sandalwood, dried red berries, licorice, anise, black olives, champagne mushrooms and leather. Medium+ body with mild tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Similar to a Grand Reserva Rioja, but use the same glassware that you would drink a Cabernet in.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Penne with Bacon and Black Olive Sauce.

Tasted: 23 April 2016

Best buy & Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Sale: 9.5/10) Total: 18.5/20

Roederer Estate Brut Sparkling, Anderson Valley, Mendocino

Gold in colour with fine mousse and a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: I just love this sparkler, which is one of my top 10 in this category. The clearance price even makes it more attractive. This easy drinking creamy sparkling wine serves up lemon, apple, biscotti, lemon curd, pink grapefruit, yeast, limestone and a touch of rosemary.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with anything, but if you need something, I paired it with Beausoleil cocktail oysters and it was heavenly.

Tasted: 9 Dec 12

Top Pick and Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

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

Borges Reserva 2009

Full and rich flavour

Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, raisins, plums, blackberries, dark chocolate, forest floor, figs, champagne mushrooms and mint. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: As this wine will get better with age, I would suggest decanting for an hour.

Drink now or in the next 15 years on its own or pair it with Duck served with wild mushrooms and fig sauce.

Tasted: 28 Jan 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4