Edward Rasiulis

Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Sonoma County

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose.

Positives: An easy drinking wine featuring cedar, boysenberry, bramble pie, mocha and tobacco. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidy and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next year on its own or pair it with lamb chops.

Tasted: 10 March 2013

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+ (9/10 sale price), Total: 17.5/20

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

Cathedral Cellar Chardonnay 2011, Wo Western Cape

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

Positives: Easy drinking & balanced Chard that features light toasted oak, melon, pineapple, lemon, all-spice, green apple, lemon drops & limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a long length, unusual for a white wine under $15.

Interesting Point: Drink from the larger Chard glass as this will bring out the tropical fruits.

Drink now on its own or pair it with lemon pepper haddock.

Tasted: 3 Jan 13

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Angels Gate Archangel Chardonnay Brut 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Pale straw in colour with fine mousse and medium intensity on the nose

Positives: A simple sparkler featuring lemon lime, quince and light toastiness.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The LCBO will have this sparkler on sale a couple of times throughout the year.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Sunday Brunch.

Tasted: 14 Oct 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Coyote's Run Red Paw Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula

Medium to light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A very earthy Pinot, may not be for everyone.

Positives: The wine features some cedar, lots of mushrooms, cranberry, pomegranate, sour cherry and wet earth. Medium body and tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch too tart Drink now on its own or pair it with veal Provence.

Tasted: 6 Oct 2013

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance Price: 8.5+/10) Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Christian Moueix Pomerol 2009, Ac Pomerol

Medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

Nice to have quality Right Bank Bordeaux at a good price, especially at the clearance price!

Positives: A smooth & juicy wine that features integrated oak, cherry, raspberry, cola, plum, pencil shavings, leather & portabella mushrooms on the finish. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with rib-eye steak.

Tasted: 3 February 2014

Best Buy at clearance price

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Bennett Lane Maximus Red Feasting Wine 2006, Napa Valley

Slightly cloudy with a medium+ ruby in colour & with a medium+ intense nose.

Veni, Vidi, Bibi (I came, I saw, I drank). I have wanted to try this wine for a while, as I love the label, but was hesitant at the regular price. However, at the clearance price (which is by the way is the same price at the winery albeit at US price) is definitely worth the buy.

Positives: Drinking beautifully now, this Napa blend serves up good complexity featuring cedar, blackberry, black cherry, anise, violets, dark chocolate covered cherries, ripe tamarinds, plums, mocha, leather, pencil shavings, turmeric & tobacco. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Detected some heat on the finish.

Interesting Notes: Named after Emperor Magnus Maximus (AD 383 to AD 388) who was an ardent wine lover. Interesting story to his rise and fall. Decant the wine as it's unfiltered.

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

Tasted: 9 May 13

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

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

Smoke & Gamble Reserve Cabernet/Merlot 2010, VQA Ontario

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

Positives: The nose is divine and the taste is not far behind showing sizzling bacon, cedar, blackberry, cassis, leather, cloves, cinnamon, pipe tobacco, pencil shavings and black currants. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: This was the best red that I tasted at the Taste Ontario that was held on 28 Sept 12, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. I had a great time talking with the wine maker; Robert Gill and their distributor; Douglas Russell.
I love the copper label. The winery is located near Port Dover, Fort Erie

Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Beef Bourguignon.

Tasted: 28 Sept 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Santa Helena Vernus Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Colchagua Valley

Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

An easy juicy full body red and a best buy at the clearance price

Positives: This wine shows cedar, blackcurrants, anise, dark cherry, cigar box, menthol, plums and arugula. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length and the 14.5% alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with vegetable lasagna.

Tasted: 6 Nov 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Goats Do Roam Goat Roti Syrah/Viognier 2010, Wo Coastal Region

Dark ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: This easy drinking wine features oak, Allspice, tar, blackcurrants, blackberry, plums, tamarind, arugula and tarragon. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Some tartness on the finish

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with veal parmigiana.

Tasted: 23 Feb 13

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

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

Château Des Charmes Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 2010, VQA Niagara On The Lake

Light gold in colour with a medium+ nose.

Positives: What a nice balanced Chard that is only $13.95, or even better at the clearance price of $11.20, which you really can't beat. This wine features a mild oak spice, lemon, melon, clementine, MacIntosh apple & limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I can just see myself on a nice summer day drinking this Chard at my favourite golf course patio after just posting a 62, then realizing that I did that only on the front nine. Oh well, I'll have another bottle please. Drink from the smaller Chardonnay glass. FYI it's -25 C with windchill right now!

Drink now on its own, as above, or pair it with chicken parmigiana.

Tasted: 24 Jan 13

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value:10/10, Total: 18.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4