Edward Rasiulis

Dry Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County

Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A nice wine, but I’m torn as it taste more Chilean than Sonoma

Positives: This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, cassis, blackberry, dark cherry, plum, black peppercorn, green peppers, menthol, soy, graphite & leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with prosciutto mushroom pizza.

Tasted: 17 April 2014

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 17+/20

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

Keint He Voyageur Chardonnay 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula

A versatile chard that shows good balance between oak, fruit and minerality

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, pink grapefruit, honeydew melon, butterscotch and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: There’s heat from the 13% alcohol

Interesting Notes: Don’t over chill, as the underlying flavours such as butterscotch don’t come up when it’s too cold, and use the larger New World or Montrachet Chard glasses. In addition, I like the aged parchment label.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with grilled shrimp in grapefruit BBQ sauce.

Tasted: 27 Jan 2015

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 16/20

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

Rustenberg R.M. Nicholson 2010, Wo Stellenbosch

Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A lot going on for a wine under $20

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, blackcurrants, plums, dark cherry, hickory, cocoa, eucalyptus, pepper, cassis, arugula, radicchio and licorice. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot on the finish from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Rustenberg was founded in 1682, but South Africa is still labeled as New World. Decant for 30 min to an hour.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with an aged T-bone steak.

Tasted: 26 March 2014

Best Buy

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

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

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+

D'arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier/Marsanne 2012, Mclaren Vale

Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A full flavoured delicious wine for under $20

Positives: This wine features light oak, jasmine, apricot, peach, lemon, mandarin, thyme and peach pit. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I tried this wine with two different Riedel glassware: one Viognier and the other Sauvignon Blanc style. The Viognier glass presented a more smooth wine with an unexpected peach pit on the finish. Meanwhile, the Cab Sauv glass was more vibrant and crisp with a less noticeable peach pit finish. Both equally good, just depends on what you’re looking for.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with tuna tartare in lemongrass marinade.

Tasted: 2 April 2014

Best Buy

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

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

Beringer Chardonnay 2012, Napa Valley

Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

For us in Canada, when I see a Napa Chard from a well known producer for under $20, I think “to good to be true”. This wine is good & true.

Positives: This wine features mild toasted oak, buttered popcorn, lemon drops, pineapple, nutmeg, peach, baked apple and light Easter Lily on the nose. Full body with fairly good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: There’s a lot of heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with pork chops with apple cider glaze.

Tasted: 30 April 2014

Best Buy

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

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

Oldenburg Chardonnay 2011

At first taste there was no fruit just Oak spice, but after 30 min it just opened up to a good Chard

Description: Bright light to medium gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, oak spice, lemon tart, pineapple, dill, green apples, peach, ginger, dill and a hint of caramel. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Needs to decant for 30 min to bring out the fruit. Both the cool climate and Montrachet style glassware work, just both very different.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Tai Pai Chicken.

Tasted: 6 Aug 2014

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

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

Château D'aquéria Tavel Rosé 2013, Ac

A tasty, juicy & full flavoured dry Rosé that can be paired with a variety of foods

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features fresh cut Carnations, strawberry, watermelon, some minerality on the finish. Medium to medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the 14% alcohol

Interesting Note: From Château d’Aquéria: “The harvest is completely destemmed before being put into the maceration vats for 24 to 48 hours. The grape varieties are then blended two by two, bringing great aromatic complexity to the wine in addition to their own distinctive character. After fully "bleeding" the vats (drawing off the juice), fermentation at regulated temperatures (18 to 20°C) then takes place. The different grape varieties are then all blended together and age for several months before being bottled at the estate.”

Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with pepperoni, tomato and mushroom pizza

Tasted: 28 Sept 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Le Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Chardonnay 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula

One of the smoothest Chards I’ve tried. This may even please those that are ABCers

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. The wine features oak that’s well integrated, light toast, lemon, pineapple, green apples, peach, limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Works with both Montrachet and Chablis style stemware

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Gouda cheese

Tasted: 10 Sept 2014

Best Buy at clearance price

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Bordon Gran Reserva 2005

A top notch, youthful Gran Reserva at a good price

Description: Medium garnet to ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features sandalwood, cherry, red currants, dried bramble fruit, old leather, shitake mushrooms, vanilla, chalk, and cherry tobacco on the nose. Medium body with dusty tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 10 of years, on its own or pair it with Braised Beef Roast with Cherry Balsamic Sauce.

Tasted: 20 July 2016 (Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife, without her contribution to my site it would not have the positive impact that it has)

Best Buy & Top Pick

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

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