Edward Rasiulis

Norman Hardie County Chardonnay Unfiltered 2008, VQA Prince Edward County

Rich, smooth & complex wine whose taste come in waves. Medium toasty oak with buttery popcorn, lemon zest, tangarine, pineapple, limestone, nectarine, apricot, ginger, dill & butterscotch. Medium+ body, good acidity, extremely long length & unusual low alcohol for a chard of such richness.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: Use the smaller chard glasses to capture the complexity of this wine & be careful not to over chill it.

Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or with white tail tuna sashimi.

Tasted: 20 Feb 12

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5+ (sale price 10/10 & a Best Buy), Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Domaine Fouassier Les Grands Groux Sancerre 2009

This may just be this bottle but the wine was not a typical Sancerre and had too much orange fermentation going on

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features orange rind, fermented orange, dried apricots and capsicum. Medium+ body with average acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Maybe past its prime

Drink now on its own or pair it with mussels in a white wine butter garlic sauce

Tasted: 31 Aug 2014

Score: 8+/10, Value: 8+/10 Total: 16.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3+

Dr. Loosen Blue Slate Riesling Kabinett 2010, Prädikatswein

Description: Medium+ straw in colour with high intensity on the nose.

Positives: Sweet peach, lime and honey. Off dry, ibody with high acidity and medium+ length.

Negatives: Lots of sulphur and closed nit. Not worth drinking now.

Cellar it for at least 5 years, and hope that the petrol notes come out and the acidity will smooth out bring out the fruit.

Tasted: 22 Feb 11

Score: 8/10, Value: 8/10, Score: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

Frescobaldi Tenuta Di Castiglioni 2008, Igt Toscana

Dark ruby in colour with medium minus intensity, but what intensity it has it is quite wonderful. Cedar, black & blueberries, wild strawberry, cherry & anise dominate. The taste isn't as nice as the nose. High acidity with med+ tannins makes this wine a little astringent. Med body, med length that shows cedar, leather, sour cherry & pomegranate. This wine should soften in the next 3-5 yrs. Decant & let it stand for an hour before drinking.

Score: 8/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 16/10.

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Tasted 30 April 2011

Beringer Merlot 2009, Napa Valley

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

Positives: Cedar, English fruitcake, cinnamon, cocoa, plums, blackberry, cherry cola & dry sage on the finish. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & long length.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the 14.4% alcohol.

Interesting Point: In comparison to the Beringer Knights Valley Cab, just reviewed, which is very similar in price, the Knights Valley is superior.

Drink now on its own or cellar it for another 5 years. Pairs well with braised beef.

Tasted: 23 May 12,

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Tasted 25 May 12: I had left some wine to taste two days later and it was gorgeous, just as I had hoped for when I originally opened it up. The notes that rose to the forefront were: cassis, cloves, smoked bacon, cinnamon and espresso. I am upgrading my score to 9+/10, value: 9/10, total: 18.5/20 and out of 5 stars: 4.5

Louis M. Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

A distinctive cherry pipe tobacco makes this a double D, delightful & delicious

Description: Deep bright ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry pipe tobacco, black cherry, blackberry, oak spice, plums, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, dark chocolate and espresso. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.4% alcohol

Interesting Note: The winery sells this for $34US

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with rosemary roast beef with cranberry glaze.

Tasted: 19 Dec 2014

Best Buy at the sale price

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Pedroncelli Bushnell Vineyard Zinfandel 2009, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County

A beautiful medium ruby colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: This is a smooth, not jammy Zin, considering the 15.2% alcohol. The wine features cedar, plums, raisins, dark cherry, raspberry, Christmas cake, chili peppers, All-spice & black peppers. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Lots of heat from the 15.2% alcohol.

Interesting Point: I really like the rich looking label/bottling. Made more in an old world style wine, not a fruit bomb, and easy to pair with different styles of food.

Drink now or over the next 5 years, on its own or pair it with BBQ ribs.

Tasted: 5 Nov 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Montes Late Harvest Gewurztraminer 2008, Curicó Valley

If this isn't a best buy desert wine for the price, I don't know what is. Lychee, honeycomb, sweat peach, apricots, with a nice acid balance that doesn't make this wine overly sweet. And did I mention that this is only $16.95?! Seriously, you can't go wrong.

Castello Della Sala Bramìto Del Cervo Chardonnay 2010, Igt Umbria

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

Positives: A Chablis style chard featuring lemon, apple, peach, limestone & wet stone. Medium body with good acidity & long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Points: Use the smaller chard glass as it brings out more of the intensity of the notes. An excellent alternative to Chablis.

Drink now or within the next two years. Drink on its own or pair it with raw oysters.

Tasted: 23 Jan 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Ruinart Brut Blanc De Blancs Champagne, Ac, In Eco Friendly Recyclable Sheath, France

Medium straw in colour with fine mousse & medium intensity on the nose.

Positives: My wife says it's yummy with delicious & a touch of tasty. I happen to agree. We also agree it's one of the best champagnes we've tasted. The nose has aromas of fresh baked bread, apple, ginger, jasmine, biscotti & wet stone. The taste shows macadamia nuts, lemon, apple crumble, strawberry/kiwi, tangerine and with a slight lemon peel & ginger on the finish. Medium body with good acidity & long finish.

Negatives: None.

Drink now on its own or with strawberries.

Tasted: 11 Jan 12

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5