Edward Rasiulis

Inniskillin Winemaker'S Series Montague Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula

Light garnet in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: Sweet & tart, just like I like my Pinots: (and you thought I was going to say something else?) This Pinot features smoked cedar, cranberry, strawberry, rhubarb, cherry pie, sweet basil, cinnamon & a light earthy taste. Medium minus in body with low tannins, high acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: A touch too high in acidity, but still yummy.

Interesting Point: I lucked out getting this wine on sale at an LCBO store for $17.55 , and remember to lightly chill it.

Drink now on its own, however due to the higher acidity this wine will show better paired food such as duck.

Tasted: 28 Aug 12

Best Buy

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

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

Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay 2007, Napa County

Golden yellow in colour with high intensity on the nose.

Positives: Too much to write about but here's a summary to this complex wine. Medium toasted oak, buttery, cream corn, creme brûlée lemon meringue pie, roasted marshmallows, apple pie, caramel & cashews. Full body, alcohol is well integrated, good acidity & very long length.

Negatives: 15% alcohol. Interesting Things: Don't over chill it & use the larger Chard wine glasses.

Drink now or cellar it for another 5-7 years. Drinks well on its own as a meal or pair it with lobster & drawn butter.

Tasted: 12 Jan 12

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

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

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+

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+

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+

Geografico Pulleraia 2006, Igt Toscana

Medium minus garnet in colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Cedar, sour cherry, truffles, oregano, Thai basil, cassis, plum, blackberry, tamarind, leather & a touch of spinach. Medium body with high tannins, medium to medium+ acidity with a long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: I would have never guessed this wine as Merlot.

Drink now or over the next 5 years, but right now pair it with a high protein meal to break down the tannins.

Tasted: 1 July 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Quady Essensia Orange Muscat 2007, California

Ripe apricot colour, high intensity nose showing apricots, fermented tangerine, butterscotch, ginger and vanilla. On the taste, good acidity, full body desert wine that shows as the nose does. On the sweetness scale it’s not as sweet as Ice Wine on the palate, so pare it well with deserts that are not overly sweet such as Maple Citrus Tart. For the price this is a Best Buy.
Tasted: 19 April 2011
Score: 8/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Marqués De Murrieta Finca Ygay Reserva 2006, Doca Rioja

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

A classic Rioja Tempranillo for under $25

Positives: This wine features cedar, sandalwood, pastrami, plum, Allspice, dark cherry, dark chocolate and some leather on the finish. Medium body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with grilled lamb chops.

Tasted: 12 Sept 2013

Best Buy

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

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