Edward Rasiulis

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+

Montebuena Cuvée K P F 2012, Doca Rioja

The nose won’t please a lot, but the taste will

Description: Deep ruby to purple in colour with a medium intense nose. The wine shows smoked spiced oak, bitter cherry, bramble fruit, licorice, umami and Portobello mushrooms. Medium body with low but dry tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: My mom really liked it (Insert shocked face)

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with grilled lamb chops.

Tasted: 31 July 2014

Best Buy

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

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

Redstone Chardonnay 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula

If you like grapefruit, you’ll love this wine

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features grapefruit, lemon, green apple, pear and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Too much sourness

Interesting Note: This wine was aged in 12 months in French oak, yet on taste very little or no oak detected. I may have had a dud.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with snapper ceviche.

Tasted: 4 March 2015

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3+

E. Guigal Côtes Du Rhône 2011

Easy drinking quality Rhône wine for under $20

Description: Bright medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cedar, black cherry, blackberry, plum, white & black peppers, black olives, licorice, shitake mushrooms and smoked earth. Medium body with mild tannins, good acidity and a long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: E. Guigal consistently produces excellent wines from entry level to high end.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with steak sandwich from Vincentina Meats .

Tasted: 12 Aug 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Zaccagnini Dal Tralcetto Montepulciano D'abruzzo 2013, Doc

A nice Italian wine that’s under $20

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, bramble fruit, blackberry, cherry, plum, chocolate, thyme, arugula & light earth flavours. Medium body and tannin with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Interesting bottle with a piece of vine attached to it.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with arugula, prosciutto pizza

Tasted: 23 March 2016

Best Buy

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

Domaine Les Vieux Murs Pouilly Fuissé 2012, Ac

Smooth, easy drinking balanced act between fruit & oak

Description: Light bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, pink grapefruit, granny & golden apples, pineapple, honeydew melon and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Works well with both style of Chard glasses, Chablis and Montrachet, but I would give the nod to Monty

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Chicken Waldorf Salad.

Tasted: 12 Jan 2015

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

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

Mulderbosch Faithful Hound 2011, Wo Stellenbosch

The story is sad, but the taste is good

Description: Dark ruby to purple in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, plums, anise, tobacco leaves, spinach, arugula, espresso, fig, cocoa, bell pepper and leather. Full body with medium+ tannings, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: “THE STORY OF THE FAITHFUL HOUND: Soon after Dr. Larry Jacobs and winemaker Mike Dobrovic founded Mulderbosch in 1989, they discovered an abandoned dog living on the farm. Because of the creature’s scraggly, unkempt appearance, they called him “Boes,” which means “bushy” in Afrikaans.

Boes spent most of his time perched beneath a large oak tree, gazing off into the distance. Often he would wander about the farm during the day, observing the vineyard activity. But he dutifully returned to his lookout point each evening, where he patiently awaited his beloved master’s return. Night after night, through all kinds of weather, he never failed to keep his vigil. So it was that he earned himself the nickname “Faithful Hound.”

Eventually it was revealed that his owner, a farmhand on the property before the Mulderbosch days, had been killed in a car accident. After three years of devotedly watching and waiting for his best friend, the Faithful Hound passed away beneath the old oak tree, just beside the cottage where he and his master had lived.

Shortly thereafter, Mike Dobrovic decided to create a Bordeaux blend as a tribute to Boes; the maiden 1994 vintage of Mulderbosch Faithful Hound was released in 1995. The dog is buried beneath the oak tree, near the very spot where he dutifully kept his vigil. And many vintages later, his namesake wine continues to celebrate his undying loyalty, unwavering dedication, and inspiring determination.

Faithful Hound’s final resting place – the oak tree where he kept his three year vigil, next to the cottage where his master lived. “ (www.capeclassics.com)

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with rib eye steak

Tasted: 5 Jan 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Inama Soave Classico 2013, Doc

Good balance of crispness and creaminess as a result of the malolactic fermentation

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ intense. This wine features peach, pear, apricot, elder flower, chalk and sweet almond on the finish. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with citrus and mango marinated conch.

Thanks to Roberto from Blackbeard’s for suggesting it

Best Buy

Tasted: 16 March 2015

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Frei Brothers Reserve Chardonnay 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

A nice, smooth and well priced for RRV Chard

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light smoked toasted oak, lemon meringue, green apples, pear, peach, ginger, dill, oak spice, light butterscotch, limestone and white roses on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Don't over chill the wine, and use the larger Chard style glassware

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Potatoes and Dill Sausage.

Tasted: 27 March 2016

Best Buy

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

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

Trius Chardonnay 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Clean refreshing with mild oak which adds a bit of substance.

Description: Medium light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features a light oak, lemon, pear, green apples, melon & limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Best Buy

Drink now or in the next 3 of years on its own or pair it with Crab cakes with horseradish cream.

Tasted: 25 Aug 2015

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

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