Edward Rasiulis

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Karia Chardonnay 2007, Napa Valley

Now this is a well balanced Chard that I would have guest to be a Puligny-Montrachet. Light gold in colour with med intensity. Complex nose shows med minus oak & toast, lemon, peach, limestone, Easter Lilly, honeydew melon & cantaloupe The taste is just as complex. Dry, med+ acidity, med body, long length & the alcohol is well checked. No bitterness from over toasting here. Easy drinking wine that shows as the nose with a lot more lemon. This is a food favourite wine that pairs nicely with lobster & drawn butter. Shows nicely now, but can age for another 2-3 years.

Tasted: 6 May 2011.

Score: 9/10 Value: 8.5/10 (I bought it on sale for $26.65 which would give a value of 9.5/10), Total: 17.5/20 (18.5/20 on sale).

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

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

Dveri Pax Traminer 2007

tasting notes as above

Best Buy

Tasted: 1 Sept 11 Score: 8.5+, Value: 10/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Gloria Ferrer Chardonnay 2008, Carneros

Positives: Not your typical California Chard, which makes sense as this one comes from the cooler region of Carneros. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, pink grapefruit, pineapple, chives & limestone. Medium to full body with good acidity & long length.

Negatives: A little sour.

Drink on its own, but would be better off pairing it with food such as crab Alfredo.

Tasted: 20 Apr 12, Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 17+/20

Passadouro Vinho Tinto 2008

Dark ruby with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Violets on the nose with plum, cinnamon, peppercorns, cherry, figs, blackberry, mocha, leather, olives, vanilla & black currants. Full body with medium+ tannins, good & long length.

Negatives: Slight heat from the high alcohol.

Interesting Point: Classic Port notes without the sweetness of desert wine.

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with beef coq au vin.

Tasted: 12 May 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Quails' Gate Chardonnay 2012, BC VQA Okanagan Valley

One of my favourite Canadian Chards, and probably the best for under $22

Description: Light gold to straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, pink grapefruit, honeydew melon, kiwi, dill, ginger, pineapple, hazelnuts, crème brûlée, flint and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: Don’t over chill, as you’ll loose the essence of this wine.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Tuna Tartare on a bed of Avocado Brunoise, drizzled in Sweet & Sour Sauce, WhiteTruffle Oil and Red Caviar

Tasted: 14 Feb 2015

Best Buy

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

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

Amayna Chardonnay Estate Btld. 2008, Leyda Valley, San Antonio

Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: A really nice, smooth and creamy Chard featuring medium toasted oak, buttery, spiced apple, mango, pineapple, lemon zest, persimmon, creme brulée, lemon meringue pie, coconut, vanilla and cashews. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: You do get some heat from the 14.5% alcohol.

Interesting Point: LCBO has this at $3 off regular price until it's sold off. Good time to buy now.

Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with, what else?; Lobster and drawn butter. Utterly hedonistic.

Tasted: 22 Sept 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Closson Chase S. Kocsis Vineyard Chardonnay 2009, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula

A premium Ontario Chard that can compete with the best in California, but not have their price tag

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This intense, edgy and complex wine features medium toasted oak, butter, lemon custard, crème brûlée, peach, granny apple, toffee, apricot, dill, creamed corn, tea leaf and pink grapefruit. Full body with good acidity and a long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: Closson Chase is one of my favourite Ontario wineries that produce full body Chards. This wine worked well in both Montrachet style glassware as well as in the cooler climate one.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Fettuccine Alfredo with blackened chicken.

Tasted: 16 Aug 2014

Best Buy at clearance price

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

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

Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County

Dark ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: Cedar, pine cones, dark cherry, marzipan, chocolate, cassis, anise, nutmeg, cinnamon, leather, pencil shavings, tamarind, slate & cigar box. Medium+ body, medium tannins, good acidity, long length & the alcohol is nicely integrated.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: This has been a favourite of mine for decades. I'm glad it's back & it's under $25.

Drink now on its own or pair it with a T-bone grilled steak.

Tasted: 21 Apr 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5