Edward Rasiulis

Ross Shiraz 2006, Barossa Valley, South Australia

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

Positives: A powerful but not jammy Shiraz from Australia featuring cedar, peppers (white, red & black), bacon, plums, mesquite, dark chocolate, blackcurrants, tar, dark cherry & expresso. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Quite a bit of heat coming from the alcohol although it's only listed as 14%.

Interested Point: I purchased this wine at a LCBO store for $21.70, which makes it a best buy at that price).

Drink now on its own or pair it with braised lamb shank.

Tasted: 25 Apr 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz 2008, Barossa Valley,

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

Positives: There's a lot going here in this complex wine. Violets, cedar, spices, blackberries, coffee, plums, anise, dark chocolate, menthol, smoked bacon, roasted red peppers and sawdust. Full body, medium tannins, good acidity with long length and the high alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

This wine is a meal on itself, but will also pair nicely with a medium rare T-bone steak. Drink now or cellar for another 5 years.

Tasted: 25 Feb 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Deutz Brut Rosé Champagne, Ac

Salmon in colour with fine mousse & medium+ intense nose. Positives: Rose petals, strawberry, yeasty, biscotti, ambrosia apples, cherry & mineral notes. Full body with good acidity & a long creamy finish.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Points: Having this for my birthday so cheers! You should always treat yourself on your BD.

Drink on its own or pair it with salmon (sake) sashimi.

Tasted: 12 Mar 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Pirramimma Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Mclaren Vale

I don't recall ever having a Pirramimma that I didn't like, and this one keeps the streak alive.

Dark almost opaque ruby in colour intensity with high intense nose. The nose shows a lot Zin characteristics such as raisin, prunes, dates, figs, mocha, cherry tobacco pipe smoke, cedar, vanilla, blackcurrants, white pepper, violets & eucalyptus. The taste is as complex as the nose. The taste is more skewed to what a Cab is. It's dry, medium+ tannins & acidity, full body & powerful with long length, high alcohol but balanced. Notes show cedar, raisins, plum, dark cherry, blackcurrants, dates, mocha, turmeric, leather, vanilla, black & white pepper, eucalyptus & some pencil shavings. This is a smooth wine with a velvet touch on your tongue. Love this wine. There are only 2 negatives. 1) Even though I love the nose, I want my Cab to smell like a Cab, and 2) The high alcohol. Drink now on it's own or with grilled steak. Tasted 24 Aug 11. Best Buy & Top Pick. Score: 9.5/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 9.5/10

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

Storybook Mountain Mayacamas Range Napa Estate Zinfandel 2009, Napa Valley

Light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: What a beautiful nose. This is an elegant Zin featuring blackberries, figs, raisins, raspberries, red currants, plums, fennel seeds, lead pencil & cracked black pepper. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Lots of heat coming from the 14.9% alcohol.

Interesting Point: Don't expect your typical jammy Zin. This is smooth & elegant, like a well aged Scotch. This winery does not use herbicides or insecticides on their grapes.

Drink now on its own or pair it with grilled tenderloin steak.

Tasted: 13 July 12

Top Pick

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

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

Palmina Larner Vineyard Malvasia Bianca 2010, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara

Medium straw in colour with an intense floral nose.

Can’t miss wine that one must try. So easy to drink that one can drink 2 bottles in one sitting and not realize it.

Positives: A perfect summer sipper featuring Ylang Ylang, lychee, peach, anise, lemon, orange, pink grapefruit and fennel on the finish. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Notes: A cross between Viognier, Muscat and Gewürztraminer. Malvasia is predominantly grown in Italy, but this rare find in California is a gem.

Drink now on or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Cayman style Wahoo Ceviche.

Tasted: 11 May 13

Top Pick

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

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

Vine Cliff Proprietress Reserve Chardonnay 2007, Los Carneros, Napa Valley

The 2007 is showing nicely with rich creamy buttery texture. Medium toasted oak, vanilla, caramel, crème brûlée, pineapple, lemon meringue pie, nutmeg, marshmallow, limestone & a hint of sarsaparilla on the finish. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: There is some heat coming from the 14.6% alcohol. Chill it a little more than usual.

Interesting Point: Use the larger Chard glasses.

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with lobster and drawn butter.

Tasted: 21 Dec 12

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

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

Domaine De La Côte De L'ange Châteauneuf Du Pape 2010, Ac

Deep ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

An elegant Cháteauneuf-de-Pape

Positives: The dominance of Grenache shows up strongly here. This features light oak, mushroom, thyme, sage, black cherry, black currants, raspberry, plums, incense, forest underbrush and leather. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little hot from the 15.5% alcohol.

Interesting Point: Use a Syrah glass if you have one.

Drink now or over the next 7 years on its own or pair it with an aged rib eye steak.

Tasted: 1 Aprl 13

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

Rutherford Ranch Zinfandel 2008, Napa Valley

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

This is an intense Zinn without any jammy qualities. Cedar, pine nuts, vanilla bean, menthol, smoked hickory, cassis, cloves, blueberry, nectarines, boysenberry, dark chocolate, cherry cola & mocha. Medium body with medium tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Holy 16% alcohol Batman! Lots of heat coming from it. Good medicine. If it wasn't for the high alcohol this would be an exceptional Zinn.

Interesting Point: Rutherford Ranch is a consistent producer of good wines.

Drink now on its own or pair it with BBQ pork ribs based in an Italian tomato style sauce.

Tasted: 15 Sept 12

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

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