Edward Rasiulis

Spy Valley Pinot Noir 2009

Light garnet to ruby in colour with highly intense nose.

Positives: What a lovely Pinot nose showing pine needles, cranberry, strawberry, rhubarb, earthy notes of fallen leaves, truffles & fresh cut hay. Unfortunately, the taste falls short of what the aroma of this wine gives us. Tasting notes of mushrooms, cranberry, strawberry & radish giving a slight bitter taste. Medium minus body with good acidity, low tannins, long finish & the high alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: Too bad the long finish is bitter.

Interesting Point: This wine was like seeing Mamma Mia on stage & then seeing it on film with Pierce Brosnan singing. Still can't get that out of my head. (Unless you liked Brosnan's singing, in which case you will love this wine).

Drink now on its own or pair it with escargot.

Tasted: 26 Jan 12

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 16.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

Bodegas Callia Magna Shiraz 2008, Valle De Tulum, San Juan

Dark to almost opaque ruby in colour with a medium nose. A very pleasant nose indeed showing spruce, carnations, cloves, cinnamon, smoked bacon, plums, cherry pie, coconut & vanilla. Very surprised that the nose isn't bigger, but that's not a negative for this wine. The taste is as good as the nose with similar notes. It's dry, medium tannins, medium+ acidity, medium+ length, medium+ body & balanced. This is a nice alternative to Australian Shiraz as it's a little more restraint than most Australian Shiraz under $20.

This wine taste more like a wine around the $30, so I make it a Best Buy. I bought this on sale at the LCBO for $11.25, which I would classify this as an Amazing Buy. Drink now with Prime Rib or by itself. This wine will can be cellared for another 2-3 years.

Tasted: 7 Sept 11

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Hardy’s The Chronicles Butchers Gold Shiraz Sangiovese 2008

Deep dark ruby. Medium+ intensity on the nose displaying plums, cherry pie, med minus oak, bramble fruit, mocha, cigar box, red & white pepper & light smokey nose. Very pleasant. The taste is dry, med tannins & acidity, full body, balanced with a med+ length. The taste is similar to the nose with the addition of sour cherry. The high alcohol is well hidden & the usual jammy & cooked fruit typical of Australian Shiraz with high alcohol is not present due to the addition if Sangiovese, but still remember it's 14.5% alcohol. Smart play by Hardy's gives this wine a Best Buy rating. Good to drink on its own or pair it with roasted red peppers. This is drinkable now but will still age for another year or two.

Tasted 11 June 2011.

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

Paul Delane Cremant De Bourgogne

Description: Medium straw in colour with medium+ intensity and fine mousse. This sparkling shows toasty yeast, brioche, apple, lemon, pear and limestone. The taste is dry, with good acidity, balanced, medium body with a long length. True crémant (traditional method) flavours which are as shown on the nose. This sparkling is easy to drink and very refreshing. Drink on it’s own after a hard days work or pair it with rotisserie hens.
Best Buy
Tasted: 28 May 2011
Score: 9/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine 4

Ant Moore Pinot Noir 2009, Central Otago, South Island

Medium minus to light garnet in colour with medium intensity.

Positives: Earth notes dominate with fall leaves, mushrooms, & suede followed by sour cherry, rhubarb & cranberry. A lighter style Pinot with good acidity, soft tannins & a long length.

Negatives: There is some bitterness on the mid palate, but dissipates thanks to the long finish. I'm not crazy about the label, looks like Nouveau Beaujolais.

Interesting Point: It's unusual to find a Central Ortago Pinot this inexpensive, but I found it muted compared to other Ortago Pinots. Reminds me more of Côte de Beaune. Food friendly wine that I would pair with turkey. Drink now or over the next 3 years.

Tasted: 11 Feb 12

Score: 8.5, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Chivite Gran Feudo Rose 2010, Navarra

Bright watermelon in colour with a medium+ intensity in the nose.

Positives: Very nice nose & taste of cranberry, strawberries & pomegranates. Very easy drinking wine. Good acidity & length to thus wine.

Negative: A little bit of bitterness on the aftertaste (grapefruit)

Interesting Things: Have it chilled to about 13-15 C & drink from an old world styled Chard glass. I compared it to the Riedel Grape series Chard & the Riedel Vinum Sauvignon Blanc & I found the Chard glass far better. The Sauvignon glass had way to much bitterness. Drink on its own or pair it with grilled Tuna with steak spice. Just make sure it medium rare. Drink now.

Remember that Rosé can be drunk year round, but drink those within 2 years maximum. Rosés are meant to be drank young. Many Rosés are best buys.

Best Buy

Tasted: 17 Sept 11 Score: 9/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Atrea Old Soul Red 2006, Mendocino County

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

Positives: Violets, spruce, raisins, dates, bacon, red peppers, hickory, raspberry, milk chocolate & a forest in autumn with the leaves changing to their beautiful fall colours. As you can see I just love the nose. And now for the taste: like the nose but also blueberry pie. The wine is complex with medium tannins, good acidity, medium length & body. The high alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: I detected a slight wateriness on the finish, which shortened the length.

Interesting Things:

If you ever had The Prisoner (highly recommended, but not sold in Ontario), this is the lighter version of it.
Best with a Zinfandel glass.
What caught my eye when I first saw this wine is the classy label & The Old Soul Red. It all reminds me of my wife so I had to get it. I wasn't disappointed & I hope you won't be either.
Drink now on its own or with a grilled tenderloin steak.

Tasted: 4 Nov 11.

Best Buy.

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5+/10. Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Warre's Warrior Finest Reserve Port, Dop

Description: Opaque ruby in colour.

Positives: The nose shows a lot of complexity with chocolates, dates, figs, raisins, plums, red licorice, blackcurrants, mulberry & black cherry with a nice oak integration and spicy/mint finish. The nose reminds me of the Prisoner, which is a blend that's dominated by Zinfandel. The taste is similar to the nose but with more traditional Port notes of prunes, nuts & caramel.

Negatives: none.

Interesting items: This port has steadily been a Best Buy year to year & you will not be disappointed. On sale now at LCBO. Drink now

Tasted: 23 Sept 11.

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Torrevento Vigna Pedale Riserva 2006, Doc Castel Del Monte

Medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: Oak, plums, black currents, black & white pepper, mulberry, dry sage, black tea, licorice & wild mushrooms. Medium+ body & tannins with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: The nose is a little musty which will turn off some people.

Drink now & it paired well with medium veal from California Sandwich.

Tasted: 7 July 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Truchard Chardonnay 2008, Carneros, Napa Valley

Description: Gold in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Medium toasted oak with lemon, apples, pineapples, buttery popcorn, light smoke, and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and medium+ finish.

Negatives: Too much sourness on the finish.

Drink now on its own or pair it with chicken Alfredo.

Tasted: 27 Feb 12

Score: 8/10, Value: 8/10, Score: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5