Edward Rasiulis

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

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

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

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

Raymond Classic Chardonnay 2010, North Coast, California

Light gold in colour with medium intensity on the nose.

Positives: A very pleasant drinking wine featuring light oak, pineapple, lemon, toffee, orange, banana & apple pie. Medium+ body with good acidity, but still creamy & a long length.

Negatives: Surprising, a little heat coming from the 13.5% alcohol.

Interesting Point: Use the larger Chard glass.

Tasted: 15 June 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Punt Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Napoleone Vineyards, Yarra Valley, Victoria

Opaque ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Nice to see an Australian Cab that has only 13% alcohol, not jammy and easy to drink with or without food. The best part is its new price of $20.75.

Positives: This juicy wine features cedar, blackcurrants, eucalyptus, blackberry, sage, sour cherry, plums and slightly graphite on the finish. Medium+ body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next year on its own or pair it with grilled tenderloin steak.

Tasted: 31 July 2013

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 17.5/20

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

Marqués De Riscal Reserva 2007

Medium ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Consistently reliable good taste.

Positives: Cedar, sandalwood, plums, cherry, a touch of vanilla bean, leather, cinnamon, all spice, red peppers, black olives & raspberry. Medium to full body with medium+ tannins, good acidy & long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Points: Check out my review 25 June 2012 for the 2006 vintage. You'll notice that it's $2 more for the 2007. One of my favourite labels; very classic looking.

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with grilled lamb chops.

Tasted: 24 April 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Château De Berne Terres De Berne Côtes De Provence 2011, Ac

Light salmon colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: The mouth explodes full of flavour such as strawberries, rhubarb, sour cherry, white pepper, lemon/lime & apricot pit. Medium body with good acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: A touch too sour on the finish.

Interesting Point: Ok I have to admit that I bought this wine because I loved the bottle, and it didn't disappoint.

Drink now on its own or pair it with French cut pork chops stuffed with goat cheese, spinach & red peppers.

Tasted: 11 July 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Ravine Vineyard Chardonnay 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose.

The taste is more expressive than the nose.

Positives: A well-integrated Chard balancing the oak, fruit & minerality. Medium toasted oak, light butter with lemon, green & golden apples, pink grapefruit, melon and limestone. Medium body to medium+ with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with lemon/pepper grilled tilapia.

Tasted: 13 June 13

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2010, Sonoma County

Medium straw to light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.
Positives: Lots of flavour and good balance between tropical and citric fruit featuring medium+ toasted oak, lots of butter, lemon, butterscotch, mango, pineapple, cinnamon apple, marzipan and limestone. Medium+ body, good acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: A little sourness on the finish.
Interesting Things: Always nice to see a California Chard under 14% alcohol and not lose the creaminess. A day later the taste was equally good with less sourness on the finish.
Drink now on its own or pair it with grilled pork tenderloin with a peach & mango glaze.
Tasted: 3 Aug 12
Best Buy
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 18.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine 4.5