Edward Rasiulis

Château Des Landes Cuvée Tradition 2009, Lussac St Emilion

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

A nice French Right Bank Bordeaux that’s fairly priced

Positives: This wine features cedar, dark cherry, plums, mulberry, cigar box, radicchio, leather, iodine, dry herbs & spinach. Medium+ body and with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: A little bitterness & heat on the finish.

Interesting Point: Decant for an hour

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with grilled steak.

Tasted: 21 February 2014

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

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

Jekel Pinot Noir 2011, Santa Barbara County

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

A simple fruit driven Pinot that is deserving at its price

Positives: This wine features a light smoky note, cranberry, cherry, rhubarb & strawberry. Medium body, mild tannins with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the 14.1% alcohol.

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with tuna sashimi.

Tasted: 12 February 2014

Best Buy

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

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

Hess Allomi Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Napa Valley

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

A nice smooth wine, albeit a little on the sweet side with noticeable high alcohol

Positives: This wine features cedar, maraschino cherry, blackberry, raspberry, cinnamon, plums, milk chocolate and graphite. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, fairly good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: There’s a lot of heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with BBQ brisket.

Tasted: 2 May 2014

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8+/10, Total: 16.5+/20

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

Keint-he Voyageur Pinot Noir 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Not complex, simple, but very nice. One of the best Canadian Pinot’s for under $20

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium to low intense nose. This wine features cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, nutmeg and light earthy notes. Medium body and tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Slightly chill

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Garlic Roasted Pork Loin with Raspberry Chipotle Glaze.

Tasted: 3 April 2015

Best Buy

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

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

Nyarai Cellars Viognier 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula

A vibrant wine from one of my favourite varietals, and it’s Canadian! Just don't over chill it

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features lemon, apricot, peach, clementine, grapefruit and limestone. Medium body with above average acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: Nyarai Cellars is a virtual winery and uses minimalist approach to their wine making process. Nyarai (na-rye) is South African name meaning Humility.

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

Tasted: 19 Oct 2014

Best Buy

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

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

Beaulieu Vineyard Beaurouge 2010, Napa Valley

Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Smooth as silk with a plethora of flavours

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, plums, dark cherry, bramble fruit, licorice, anise, cassis, sage, dates, fennel, coffee, figs and leather. Medium+ body with smooth tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Lots of heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: Despite the high alcohol this wine is not jammy

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with coffee crusted pork tenderloin.

Tasted: 7 June 2014

Best Buy

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

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

Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2012, Sonoma County

A touch sweet, creamy and heavy Pinot

Description: Medium light garnet to ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry pie, plum, rhubarb, dates and vanilla. Full body with low tannings, medium acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Too sweet for me

Interesting Note: It seems like every second year Rodney Strong puts out a subpar Pinot, this vintage is it.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with duck paté

Tasted: 4 Jan 2015

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Stoneleigh Pinot Noir 2013

Explosive flavours with a nice mix of sweet & sour fruits

Description: Light garnet to ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, cherry, cranberry, raspberry, oak spice, nutmeg and autumn leaves. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 13% alcohol

Interesting Point: Slightly chill and serve in a Balloon style glass

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with .

Tasted: 1 Aug 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Trius Red 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula

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

If you don't mind the black tea, bell pepper dominance it's a nice wine

The wine features oak, bell peppers, twigs, plum, tobacco leaves, black cherry, black tea, turmeric, anise and leather. Medium+ body with dry tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

This vintage is Cab dominated which explains the predominant green notes. I prefer the 2011 vintage as it's more complex. See my earlier review on that vintage.

Drink now or over the next 5-8 years on its own or pair it with steak and spiced asparagus.

Tasted: 17 Oct 2014

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

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

Plume Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Napa Valley

Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

This wine is smooth, fully flavoured & delicious

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, cherry, prunes, black and red currants, raspberry, dark chocolate, blueberry, fig, Christmas cake, woodsmoke and tomato leaf. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated considering it’s 14.6%

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The lack of tannins makes this wine optimal drinking experience now and not for cellaring.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or and pair it with grilled cheese sandwich.

Tasted: 2 July 2014

Top Pick

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

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