Edward Rasiulis

Gloria Ferrer Chardonnay 2011, Carneros, Sonoma County

A delightful, balanced, good quality Carneros Chard for under $25 & under 14% alcohol

Description: Bright light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toast, lemon rind, oak spice, Anjou pear, green apple, peach, clove, nutmeg, pink grapefruit, vanilla bean and a touch of caramel. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Recommended serving temperature is 12-16 C or 54-61 F

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Olive Leaf Pasta with Nutmeg Cream Sauce.

Tasted: 31 March 2015

Best Buy

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

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

Muriel Gran Reserva 2004

A mild Gran Reserva with a good balance of tertiary notes and fruit, and well priced

Description: Medium to dark ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features sandalwood, plums, prunes, licorice, blueberry, dark cherry, champagne mushrooms and mesquite. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little heat from the 13.5% alcohol

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

Tasted: 18 Oct 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

The nose is like a $150 Napa Cab, the taste is more like $50 Napa Cab, but the price is only $27.95 Sonoma

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, dark cherry, plum, raspberry, black currants, boysenberry, black olives, cinnamon, cloves, figs, smoked cherry pipe tobacco, chocolate covered raisins, turmeric, pencil shavings, leather and purple lilac on the nose. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Pistachio and Coriander Crusted Rack of Lamb with lamb jus and port wine emulsion.

Tasted: 2 February 2016

Top Pick & Best Buy at sale price

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

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

Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2013, Livermore Valley, California

Creamy, not overly oaky Chard with tropical fruit to make it yummy, and it’s under $20

Description: Light bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features neutral toasted oak, lemon meringue, pink grapefruit, honeydew melon, kiwi, dill, Macintosh apple, pineapple, vanilla, a touch of coconut and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: “Fermentation: 50% of this wine was barrel fermented in neutral French, American and Eastern European oak. The other 50% was fermented in stainless steel tanks in order to preserve the natural fruit flavors inherent in this Chardonnay. Aging: The barrel fermented portion was aged sur lie for 7 months. Bâtonnage, the art of stirring the barrels, was performed monthly. This adds a creamy note to the wine and greatly enhances the texture. From the remaining 50% of the stainless steel portion, half was aged on lees for 7 months while the other half was racked clean to preserve the fresh fruit characters.” www.Wentevineyards.com

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Coconut Crusted Scallops drizzled with Pineapple Rum Sauce.

Tasted: 22 Feb 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Rosehall Run J C R Rosehall Vineyard Chardonnay 2012, VQA Prince Edward County

Beautiful nose but the taste falls short

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, green apples, pear, grapefruit, oak spice, limestone and wood fire smoke on the nose. Medium body with high acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Too citric

Interesting Note: Charming bottle with a piece of vine attached to it.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Salt and Pepper Prawns served with Chilli Peppers and Picked Onions.

Tasted: 27 March 2016

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8/10 (Clearance price: 8.5/10) Total: 16.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Meyer Okanagan Valley Pinot Noir 2013

This could pass for a $50 Burgundian Pinot, truly delicious

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features barnyard smells, pine, dark cherries, raspberry, rhubarb, pinenuts, beets, a touch of Christmas cake, forest moss and smoked ambers. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Surprisingly, there’s some heat from only 13% alcohol

Interesting Point: Lightly chill

Drink now on its own or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Balsamic Cherry and Thyme Glazed Duck Breast.

Tasted: 7 Oct 2015

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Linear in tasting, but may evolve in time

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, plums, mulberry, blackcurrants, cassis, licorice, turmeric, espresso, dried Provencal herbs, spinach and spearmint. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length and alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol on the finish

Interesting Point: Unusual high 15% alcohol for a Napa Cab, but lucky that it doesn’t show it on the taste

Drink on its own in the next 5 to 10 years on its own or pair it with Braised Pork Shanks with Peppers and Oregano.

Tasted: 6 Oct 2015

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

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

LCBO: 255513

Murua Reserva 2007, Doca Rioja

A sold classic Old World style Rioja

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with an medium+ nose. This wine features sandalwood, dried cherry, dates, cinnamon, thyme, coconut, toasted walnuts, leather and smoked hickory on the nose. Full body average with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Needs to be decanted for an hour

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Chorizo-Stuff Capon with Sorrel Brown Butter.

Tasted: 18 Dec 2015

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

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

Huff Estates Cuvée Peter F. Huff 2010, Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario

Classic old vintage Champagne style

Description: Old gold in colour with an intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features toasted oak, yeast, sourdough, brioche, lemon, green apples, grapefruit, mandarin, dragon fruit, orange rind, honey, sage, ginger and dill. Full body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: “This sparkling wine was handcrafted using 100% Prince Edward County Chardonnay & Pinot Noir. This wine underwent a second fermentation in the bottle and rested for 3 years on lees.” Huff Estates

Drink now on its own or pair it with Lithuanian Stuffed Eggs.

Tasted: 28 August 2016

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 10/10) Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Pico & Vine Pinot Noir 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

Smooth, juicy, not overpowering, well-balanced & delicious

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features pine, cherry, cranberry, plum, pumpkin spice, damp moss and light wood smoke. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity, a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the balloon style glassware and lightly chill.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Smoked Venison Roast.

Tasted: 12 February 2016

Top Pick

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

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