Edward Rasiulis

Sequillo Cellars Red 2009, Wo Swartland

Description: Deep ruby in colour with medium+ intense nose

Positives: A complex wine that needs time to decant and it’s a steal at the clearance price. The wine features medium smoked oak, boysenberry, bramble fruit, tamarinds, cinnamon, sage, oregano, anise, dark cherry, spinach, tobacco leaves and arugula. Full body with high tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Too astringent if you just open it and drink on its own.

Interesting Notes: Naturally produced with no fining or filtering. This is a good wine to give to a discerning fan of wine.

Drink now or over the next 5 years and pair it with T-bone steak, medium rare.

Tasted: 16 Feb 13

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 (10/10 clearance price), Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Coonawarra, South Australia, 53rd Vintage

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet-Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Australia
Region: Coonawarra
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Foster'S Wine Estates Americas
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Opaque ruby in colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Complex wine featuring cedar, cassis, violets, blackberry, dark cherry, mint, tobacco, graphite, sandalwood & plums. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: This is Wynns' Coonawarra Estate 53 vintage, and once again spectacular especially for being under $25. Taste double to triple that price.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with a nice grilled tenderloin.

Tasted: 26 June 12

Top Pick & Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+

Hedges Family Estate Red 2011, Red Mountain, Yakima Valley

High-end wine at half the price that’s elegant and delicious

Description: Medium dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features oak, blackberry, dark cherry, black currants, raspberry, turmeric, cinnamon, anise, cassis, dry herbs, espresso and leather. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Still young but drinking well now. If you can, buy several and cellar them.

Drink now or in the next 15 years on its own or pair it with pan seared butter-basted rib eye steak.

Tasted: 27 April 2015

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Grant Burge Corryton Park Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Barossa

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

A typical Barossa Cab

Positive Notes: Full flavoured cab featuring medium oak, plums, eucalyptus, cherry, black olives, red and black currants, licorice, espresso and slightly leathery on the finish. Full body with medium to Medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Touch hot on the finish

Drink now on its own or over the next 5-7 years and pair it with T-Bone steak.

Tasted: 13 June 13

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2014

Champagne without the bubbles

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, yeast, lemon, lime, kiwi, peach, pear, apricot, ginger, dill, smoked almonds and peat moss on the nose. Full body with light tannin, good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Don't over chill, and use the larger Montrachet style stemware

Drink now or in the next 5-10 of years on its own or pair it with Oven Poached Pacific Sole with Lemon Caper Butter Sauce.

Tasted: 22 April 2017

Top Pick

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

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

Norman Hardie Niagara Unfiltered Chardonnay 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula

One of Ontario’s best Chards

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features buttered toast, oak, lemon, green apple, pineapple, nectarine, peach, cashews, dill, ginger, butterscotch and peat smoke on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Priced on the higher end, but well worth it.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Sauteed Chilean Sea Bass with Ginger Poached Pears.

Tasted: 3 December 2016

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9+/10) Total: 18+/20

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

Dutton Goldfield Dutton Ranch Chardonnay 2012, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

You’re paying for what you’re getting, an excellent California Chard

Description: Bright yellow gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features medium toast, lemon, green and red apples, peach, pineapple, mango, nutmeg, butterscotch, coconut, pine, dill, ginger, vanilla, oak spice and smoked roasted walnuts on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Don’t over chill the wine as it will mute all its favours. Love the fact that the wine is plush & full body while being 13.5% alcohol.

Drink now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Sea Bass with Sizzled Ginger, Chilli and Spring Onions.

Tasted: 22 October 2016

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18.9/20

Yalumba Viognier 2013, Eden Valley, South Australia

Smooth, rich, elegant & so beautiful

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This complex wine features orange blossom, honeydew melon, orange, apricot, guava and white pepper. Medium+ body and with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Best non Condrieu Viognier I’ve had. Far superior in every sense than Yalumba’s Y Series Viognier (see my previous review).

Drink now or in the next 10 of years on its own or pair it with Spicy Honey Glazed BBQ Chicken with Crispy Sweet Potato Fries.

Tasted: 31 Aug 2015

Top Pick & Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Baron Fuenté Grand Cépages Chardonnay Champagne, Ac

This Blanc de Blanc not for the faint at heart

Description: Bright gold in colour with an intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features toasted oak, brioche, yeast, lemon zest, green & yellow apples, pear, pink grapefruit, lime, ginger, cardamom, salted almonds and fresh cut carnations. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to my wife for this Champagne for my birthday

Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Raspberry Point Oysters.

Tasted: 12 March 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale Price: 9/10), Total: 18/20

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

Luis Felipe Edwards L F E 900 Single Vineyard Blend 2012

From the bottle to the wine, this wine feels & taste expensive, but isn’t!

Description: Deep purple to ruby in colour with a high intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, dark cherry, raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, eucalyptus, espresso, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, tobacco leaves, oregano, sage and violets on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: The vineyards that yield this wine are located 900 meters above sea level thus the name.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Seared Rosemary Mint Lamb Chops.

Tasted: 15 April 2016

Best buy & Top Pick

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

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