Edward Rasiulis

Burning Kiln Cab Frank 2012, Ontario VQA

Unique Cab Franc in an appassimento style leaving a nice sweetness & no green bell pepper

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features dark plums, cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, cassis, anise, tobacco, chocolate and Christmas cake. Full body with medium to low tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little heat at the end from the 14.3% alcohol

Interesting Note: The grapes dried for 10-14 days, and the wine is named after the wine maker; Frank DeLeebeck.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding and rosemary fingerling potatoes.

Tasted: 21 May 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Macmurray Ranch Pinot Noir 2010, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

Medium garnet in colour with a medium intense nose.

A nice balance between new and old world Pinot

Positives: This wine features pine, rhubarb, cranberry, purple lilacs, strawberry, cherry, autumn leaves, smoldering ambers & forest underbrush. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with seared Ahi Tuna.

Tasted: 19 January 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Majella The Musician Cabernet/Shiraz 2012, Coonawarra

An Aussy Cab/Shiraz that’s not jammy, priced right & oh yes it’s good

Description: Deep garnet in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, plums, cherry, eucalyptus, white pepper, roasted red peppers, turmeric, fresh cut carnations & Allspice. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol on the finish

Interesting Point: Using a Shiraz style wine glass smooths out the tannins versus the larger Cabernet Sauvignon glass

Drink now on its own or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Spicy BBQ Leg of Lamb with Rosemary Couscous.

Tasted: 2 Oct 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated 4

Montecillo Gran Reserva 2005, Doca Rioja

Lovely nose, but the taste falls short.

Positives: This wine features sandalwood, dried cherries, portobello mushrooms, sage & oregano. Medium light body with low tannins, average acidity and length.

Negatives: Taste is on the watery side..

Drink now on its own or pair it with grilled lamb chops.

Tasted: 29 Nov 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Jacob's Creek Chardonnay Reserve 2013, Adelaide Hills

A true value Chard that stands out from the rest in this price range

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon zest, honeydew melon, white peach, pear, green apples, nutmeg, clove and coconut. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Don't over chill this wine in order to for all the flavours to come out. I love that an entry level Chard has moderate alcohol of 13% vs 14% or higher.

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

Tasted: 16 Nov 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Matua Valley Matua Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012

A lot to offer for a Pinot for under $20

Description: Medium to light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, rhubarb, cherry, cranberry, strawberry, cinnamon, smoked amber and a touch of forest. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Sweet potato crusted salmon on a bed of spinach & roasted tomato quinoa with a grainy dijon & dill Chimichurri (as per Chef Carl Dahl executive chef from Julia & Ritorno restaurants)

Tasted: 10 Feb 2015

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

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

Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Sonoma County

Smooth & delicious

Description: Medium+ ruby to garner in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, raspberry, sweet cherry, turmeric, plums, black currants, eucalyptus, Allspice, cola, espresso, tobacco leaves and cigar box. Full body with light tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with coffee crusted beef tenderloin.

Tasted: 9 July 2015

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Chandon Brut Sparkling Rosé, Traditional Method, California

Salmon in colour with a medium+ intense nose & fine mousse.

A must buy if you go to Costco in Florida as it’s price is $12.99!

Positives: A fragrant sparkling that pairs well with a variety of foods. This sparkler features light yeast, strawberry, pink grapefruit, watermelon, cherry & roasted garlic on the finish. Medium+ body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Costco in Ontario doesn’t carry wine.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with bruschetta.

Interesting Point: Owned by the famed Champagne house; Moët & Chandon

Tasted: 2 January 2014

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

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

Finca La Emperatriz Old Vines Reserva 2007

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

Old style Rioja, rustic, oaked & leathery

Positives: This wine features oak, dry cherries, plums, red currants, raspberry, cocoa, cinnamon, Allspice, woodsmoke, leather and tobacco leaf. Medium body with dry tannins, good acidity and a long length

Negatives: A little on the expensive side for reserva

Interesting Point: Grapes come from 60 year old vines.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or and pair it with aged meat.

Tasted: 4 July 2014

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 18+/20

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

Cusumano Noà 2010

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

Burly & powerful, a meal on its own

Positives: This wine features cedar, Christmas cake, dried herbs, blackberry, licorice, mulberry, dark cherry, tar, espresso, leather, arugula, white pepper, spinach & leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated considering its 14.5%.

Negatives: None

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

Tasted: 15 January 2014

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

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