Edward Rasiulis

Firestone Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Santa Ynez Valley

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

It’s so nice, nay great to find a quality California Cab for under $20 in the LCBO general list. And what makes this even better, for a short time its $2 off. Can’t go wrong with this wine.

Positives: This Cab features cedar, cassis, blackberry, ripe tamarinds, boysenberry, dill, chocolate, turmeric, plums, graphite, peppercorn, cinnamon, arugula and some leather on the finish. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch of heat on the finish from the 14% alcohol, which makes me think it may be higher.

Interesting Point: Like the classy label.

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with T-Bone steak.

Tasted: 9 March 2013

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5+/10 (10/10 sale price), Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Estate Hatzimichalis Chardonnay 2010

Medium gold with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Positives: A nice easy drinking Chard featuring light oak, lemon/lime, lemon curd, dill, green & yellow apples and limestone. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: A tad sour on the finish.

Drink now on its own or pair it with lemon pepper catfish.

Tasted: 19 Dec 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Domaine Portet Fontaine Shiraz/Cabernet/Merlot 2010, Yarra Valley/Heathcote, Victoria

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

How nice is it to find an Aussie wine under $20 that is under 14% alcohol and doesn't taste like I just ate toasted bread with grape jelly.

Positives: There's a lot going on in this easy drinking wine. Light cedar, boysenberry, blueberry, blackberry, cassis, cinnamon, cloves, raspberry, cherry and speck, just to name a few. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with venison

Tasted: 7 March 2013

Best Buy

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

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

Gabriel Meffre Laurus Gigondas 2009

Medium+ ruby in colour and a medium+ nose.

Selecting the correct wine glass is critical to getting the positives out of this wine. I sampled the wine in several different types of glasses and found it either lacking or hot due to the alcohol. The Sommelier Riedel Syrah glass was the perfect match.

Positives: The wine features cedar, lots of pepper and peppercorns, blackberry, bramble fruit, light tar, espresso, lavender, mushrooms and chalk. Medium+ body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: A little hot from the 14.5% alcohol.

Drink now on its own or cellar it for another 5 years. Pair it with Veal Marsala.

Tasted: 23 June 13

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance: 9/10)

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

Artesa Chardonnay 2010, Carneros

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

Positives: This is not a big blockbuster California Chard, but there's a lot to it, rich, creamy & one of the longest tasting in length for a Chardonnay I've tasted. Lightly toasted oak featuring lemon, green apples, mangos, pineapple, peach, marshmallow, custard, limestone, orange, crème brûlée & a slight peppery note. Medium to full body, good acidity & a very long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: One of the best Chards that I tasted that should appease those that like big Chards & those that like Chablis style.

Drink now or over the next 5 years. Can be drank on its own, but this was one of the best Chards I've tasted for pairing with crustaceans and drawn butter.

Tasted: 31 Aug 12

Best Buy & Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

Clos De Gat Ayalon Valley 2007, Judean Hills, Unfined & Unfiltered

Funky nose but the taste delivers

Description: Medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, plum, blackcurrants, anise, Portobello mushrooms, soy sauce, dried thyme, leather, tomato leaves and burnt rubber on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Wine is unfined and unfiltered. I Would definitely try this wine again but in a younger vintage.

Drink now as it’s past its prime. Drink on its own or pair it with Wild Mushroom Pizza with Rosemary and Caramelized Onions.

Tasted: 3 April 2017

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

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

Hartley Ostini Hitching Post Cork Dancer Pinot Noir 2009, Santa Barbara County

Medium minus ruby in colour with a medium+ nose.

A solid Pinot, but a touch more expensive than it should be. The clearance price is more appropriate.

Positives: A flavorful Pinot exhibiting wood smoke and purple lilacs on the nose, and on the taste pine, cherry pie, sour cherry, cranberry, strawberry and dried rosemary. Medium minus body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: A touch hot from the 14.2% alcohol, and a touch overtly tart.

Interesting Notes: The movie Sideways brought The Hitching Post into mainstream.

Drink now on or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with quail.

Tasted: 26 May 13

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

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

Sperling Vineyards Old Vine Foch 2010, Okanagan Valley

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

In comparing this to their reserve Foch, this one is lighter in taste but higher in alcohol. If you had to choose, I would go with the reserve for the extra money.

Positive Notes: A flavorful wine featuring prunes, brambleberry fruit, figs and pastrami. Medium+ 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 3 years and pair it with venison.

Tasted: 13 June 13

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

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

Maison Roche De Bellène Rully Les Clous 1er Cru 2011, Ac

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

If you want to impress at a dinner party, but not break the bank, this wine will do it

Positives: This complex wine features medium toasted oak with lemon, mandarin, pineapple, peach, apple, caramel, ginger, nutmeg and orange rind on the finish. Medium+ body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Thermidor.

Tasted: 29 April 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Andrew Rich Cuvée B Pinot Noir 2008, Willamette Valley

Medium minus ruby colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: A very elegant wine whose style is between old world & new world Pinot. Notes feature pine, cherry, cranberry, rhubarb, cinnamon, nutmeg, pistachio, earth tones & suede. Medium minus body with low tannins, medium+ acidity and long length.

Negatives: None.

Drink slightly chilled on its own or pair it with squash soup & roasted duck.

Tasted: 26 May 12

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5