Edward Rasiulis

Henry Of Pelham Reserve Baco Noir 2010, VQA Ontario

Consistently, Canada’s best Baco Noir is Henry of Pelham’s reserve

Positives: Deep ruby in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose. This complex wine features cedar, smoky embers, peppercorns, Gaeta olives, bacon, prunes, dark cherry, strawberry, raspberry, black currants, blueberry, chocolate, Portobello mushrooms & leather. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I recommend using a Pinot glass and lightly chill it.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Elk steak with mushrooms and roasted peppers.

Tasted: 13 Jan 2015

Best Buy

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

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

Truchard Chardonnay 2011, Carneros, Napa Valley

Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

The taste comes in layers with a good balance of fruit & oak

Positives: This complex wine features medium smoked toasted oak with lemon meringue, golden apple, clementine, pineapples, ginger, caramel, dill and Allspice. Full body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with Coquille St. Jacques.

Tasted: 1 July 2014, Happy Canada Day

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Dr. Hermann Erdener Treppchen Kabinett Riesling 2008, Pradikätswein

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

Positives: Petrol nose featuring lime, peach, slate, pineapple, apple and honey. Off dry with medium body, good acidity and medium+ length.

Negatives: None

This wine is starting to come of age but you will be rewarded for cellaring this wine for another 10 years. Drink on its own or it will pair nicely with BBQ pork ribs.

Tasted: 21 Feb 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4