Edward Rasiulis

Martin Ray Chardonnay 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

Lean but suave Chard which possesses a nice balance of oak, fruit & minerality

Description: Gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, pear, red & green apples, tangerine, nutmeg, dill, light oak spice and limestone. Medium+ body with some light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: Nice to see a Russian River Valley Chard for under $30 and under 14% alcohol.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Chicken Piccata with lemon caper sauce.

Tasted: 22 February 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Muga Reserva 2012

Elegant, lighter style of Rioja

Description: Deep, dark almost opaque ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features sandalwood, plum, strawberry, blackberry, vanilla, leather and fresh cut carnations on the nose. Medium body with medium+ tannin, , good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

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 Roasted Sage Cornish Game Hens with Pomegranate Molasses.

Tasted: 10 December 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Bodegas Ostatu Reserva 2008

Complex, well balanced & simply delicious

Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This complex wine features sandalwood, blueberry, dried cherry, plum, orange zest, cola, cigar box, sage, rosemary, curried meats, Allspice and white pepper. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Sourced from 50 year old vines, and aged in French oak for 16 months.

Drink now or in the next 15 years on its own or pair it with Spicy Sausage and Sage Lasagna.

Tasted: 30 Oct 2015

Top Pick

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

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

Closson Chase Vineyard Chardonnay 2014, VQA Prince Edward County

Tasted in 2016: A leaner citric Chard. In 2017 re: tested and much better. Flavours coming out, such as creme brûlée 

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features lightly butter toasted oak, lemon, green & yellow apples, pear, dill, kumquat, kiwi, marzipan, oak spice. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: The finish has an overripe citric taste

Interesting Note: Don’t over chill this Chard as the cold will mask some of its nuances

Drink now or in 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Veal Piccata with Angel Hair and Parmigiana-Reggiano.

Tasted: 8 September 2016 and 22 October 2017

Score: (in 2016: 8.5+/10), (in 2017: 9+/10)  Value: (in 2016: 8.5/10), (in 2017 price has gone down $1 : 9/10)  Total: (in 2016: 17+/20) (in 2017: 18+/20)

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+ (in 2017: 4+ out of 5)

Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

An expressive Cab, but on the expensive side

Description: Medium to dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine oak, blackcurrants, blackberry, plum, raspberry, turmeric, espresso, cassis, and tomato leaves. Full body with medium to medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Touch hot from the 14.5% alcohol.

Interesting Note: A lot of information about this wine on the back label, which is nice to see.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Grilled Sage Rubbed Lamb Chops.

Tasted: 25 July 2017

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance price: 9/10) Total: 17/20

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

Hartford Four Hearts Vineyards Chardonnay 2009, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

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

Not for the faint at “heart”. Sorry couldn’t resist. Big, heavy, bold & utterly delicious.

Positives: This complex wine features medium+ toasted oak, vanilla, coconut, lemon meringue pie, roasted marshmallows, crème brulee, walnuts, butterscotch, pineapple, orange & tangerines. Full body with good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The wine is unfined & unfiltered.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with turkey for Christmas.

Tasted: 21 Dec 2013

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 19.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Hartford Four Hearts Vineyards Chardonnay 2010, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

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

As good as the 2009 was, the 2010 exceeds it. I don't want to be too technical, but yummy, yummy & yummy!

Positives: This complex wine features medium+ toasted oak, vanilla, coconut, lemon meringue pie, ginger, roasted marshmallows, crème brûlée, walnuts, butterscotch, pineapple, orange, tangerines & limestone. Full body with good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The 2010 has a minerality that the 2009 lacks. The wine is unfined & unfiltered.

Drink now or over the next 7 years on its own or pair it with lobster for New Years Eve dinner.

Tasted: 27 Dec 2013

Top Pick

Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 19.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

Muga Reserva 2008, Doc Rioja

Medium ruby with a garnet tinge in colour with a medium intense nose.

A solid wine

Positives: This easy drinking wine features cedar, sour cherry, cigar box, tobacco leaf, pimientos, roasted red peppers with Radicchio & pomegranate on the finish. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Detected some heat on the finish.

Interesting Notes: Aged 24 months in French & American oak casks. Serve between 16°C and 18° C

Drink now or over the next 7 years on its own or pair it with meat stuffed red peppers - Pimientos Rellenos de Carne.

Tasted: 6 May 13 (Go Leafs Go!)

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Rodney Strong Reserve Chardonnay 2007, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

Long long finish. Complexed Chard. Lemon in the middle of the tongue, fortune cookies, lots of butter popcorn, butterscotch, cloves, spiced apple, Italian spices (fresh sage & dried oregano). Tropical fruits of mango, pineapple, peach, apricot & oranges. Nose & taste. High alcohol diminished my score. Goes well with a lot of foods as it's very broad in tastings due to it's complexity. Goes well with Italian wedding soup, red snapper, angel hair with garlic oil & sea scallops, grilled garlic pork chops & caesar salad (as long as the dressing is balanced & not over powering with garlic or anchovies)

My Top Pick

Tasted: March, 2011

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 17.5

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Pol Roger Brut Réserve Champagne

Lighter style Champagne that is truly classic

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This Champagne features brioche, yeast, lemon/lime, Anjou pear, peach, grapefruit, green apples, pistachios, toasted coconut, limestone and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium body with crisp acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with lobster eggs Benedict.

Tasted: 12 March 2016 (Happy Birthday to me!)

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

Top Pick

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