Edward Rasiulis

Dashwood Chardonnay 2011, Marlborough, South Island

Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A balanced Chard that should please a lot of people

Positives: This wine features light oak and toast with lemon, peach, pineapple, coconut, green apples and limestone. Medium body and with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

Tasted: 19 February 2014

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10)Total: 18/20

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

Flor De Vetus Verdejo 2012, Do Rueda

Medium straw in colour with an intense nose.

A good alternative to Sancerre at half the price or Oz Sauvignon Blanc at the same price.

Positives: A great summer wine that features a lot of citric and stone fruit with an added minerality at the end. Medium body with refreshing acidity and a fairly long length.

Drink now on its own or pair it with sushi.
Tasted: 17 May 13

Best Buy

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

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

Thanks Carol Ann, from WineAlign, for the opportunity to taste this.

La Montecchia Ca'emo Colli Euganei Rosso 2009, Doc

Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A simple yet pleasant wine. The nose is more inviting than the taste.

Positives: This wine features cedar, sour cherry, blackcurrants, blackberry, radicchio, sage, oregano, leather and cocoa. Medium body and tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length

Negatives: Slightly watery and a bitter note on the finish. However, the next day there was no bitterness.

Interesting Point: The owner of the winery is Count Umbero Capodilista whose family can be traced back to the late 10th Century.

Drink now on it own or pair it with pizza.

Tasted: 30 Sept 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Twenty Bench Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Napa Valley, 10th Anniversary Vintage

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

A juicy and complex wine from Napa

Positives: This wine features cedar, black currants, plum, blackberry, blueberry, dark chocolate, cassis, tobacco, spinach and leather. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: There’s some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: Don’t be confused with the Ontario winery of the same name. This winery celebrated 10 years in 2010.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with parmesan crusted sirloin steak.

Tasted: 21 May 2014

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

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

Jean Paul Brun Beaujolais Blanc Chardonnay 2010

Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: Lots going on with this Chard from light smoked toasted oak with a buttery creaminess, lemon, green apple, persimmon, apple crumble pie, peach and limestone on the finish. Medium to medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Notes: I like the old style label

Drink now on or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with lobster in butter sauce

Tasted: 17 May 13

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 17.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

Lirica Primitivo Di Manduria 2007, Dop

Deep dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

If you like Zinfandels but you find some of them overly jammy, or high in alcohol, this one will not disappoint you. And for a 2007 vintage at under $20, this is a really good buy. Also if you like Port but not the high alcohol and sweetness, then this one is for you.

Positives: Light cedar, prunes, dates, figs, dark chocolate, Allspice, blackberry & raspberry. Medium+ body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity with a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair with BBQ ribs.

Tasted: 14 June 13

Best Buy

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

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

Redwood Pass Pinot Noir 2011, Marlborough, South Island

Light garnet with some ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

One of the best Pinots for under $20, and can’t think of one that's better at the clearance price

Positives: Not a complex wine but full of flavour. This wine features cherry, strawberry, raspberry, light cranberry, rubbed sage & lilac. Medium to light body and with light tannins, good acidity & fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with smoked oysters.

Tasted: 10 February 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Sonoma County

Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Positives: This easy drinking Cab features cinnamon & clove on the nose mingling onto the palate with cedar, blackberry, cassis, turmeric, blueberry, plum, dark chocolate, vanilla bean, cigar box and leather. Medium+ body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: Rodney Strong wines are consistently good.

Drink now on its own or cellar it for another 5 years. Pair it with T-Bone steak.

Tasted: 6 July 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Rodney Strong Estate Pinot Noir 2011, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium intense nose.
A surprisingly mellow Pinot considering the 14.5% alcohol

Positives: This wine features pine, cherry, beets, strawberry & Christmas cake. Medium body with mild tannins, fairly good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: There’s a little heat from the 14.5%

Interesting Point: Rodney Strong wines are consistently good to excellent quality

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Ahi Tuna.

Tasted: 7 May 2014

Best Buy

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

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

Monasterio De Las Vinas Gran Reserva 2005, Aragon

Dark purple to ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

A rustic wine that will please a discerning palate

Positives: This wine features sandalwood, sour cherry, pine needles, graphite, forest floor, dry herbs, coconut, black currants, leather, arugula, cocoa & allspice. Medium body with dry tannins, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: A touch watery on the finish.

Interesting Point: I prefer the 2006 vintage that is $2 cheaper. See my review 9 July 2013.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with arugula & prosciutto pizza.

Tasted: 24 February 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4