Edward Rasiulis

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Chardonnay 2015, Coonawarra, South Australia

Impressive Pouilly-Fuissé style from down under at a good price

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, green apple, honeydew melon, white peach and flint both on the taste and the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Might want to decanter as the wine expresses itself when it opens up.

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

Tasted: 28 December 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Fabre Montmayou Barrel Selection Malbec 2014, Patagonia

Great value summer drink, you may wish to get several bottles

Description: Medium purple to ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine sweet oak, cherry, plum, strawberry, blackberry, wild blueberry, eucalyptus, spinach, anise, cinnamon and violets on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: A touch hot from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: A good opportunity to try Malbec from the southern region of Patagonia.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Honey Grilled Pork Loin with Garlic Black Pepper Stuffing.

Tasted: 27 May 2017

Best Buy at the clearance price

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance Price: 9/10), Total: 17.5/20

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

Malivoire Ladybug Rosé 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Description: Red snapper in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features strawberry, raspberry, maraschino cherry, pomegranate, red currants, red apples and anise. Medium body and light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Cajun Style Blackened Snapper with Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes.

Tasted: 18 April 2017

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

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

Beronia Elaboracion Especial Tempranillo 2014

Classic Rioja style that’s smooth and delicious at a great price

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features sandalwood, strawberry, dark cherry, pomegranate, grilled red peppers, cloves, cinnamon, cigar box, oregano, vanilla and leather on the finish. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot on the finish from the 14% alcohol.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Steak with Olive Salsa.

Tasted: 21 June 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Château Des Demoiselles 2014, Ac Castillon Côtes De Bordeaux

Great Bordeaux taste at an equally great price

Description: Medium ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, plum, red & black currants, raspberry, anise, cloves, pencil shavings, spinach, vanilla and violets on the nose. Medium body and tannin with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Slightly chill between 16-18C

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

Tasted: 10 April 2017

Best buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Jardin Black Magic Merlot 2013, Wo Stellenbosch

Lots of blackcurrants and greens

Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, plum, tobacco, dried herbs, asparagus, green peppers, eucalyptus, cassis, black olives, black tea. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot from the 14.5%

Interesting Note: Disgorgement in 2015 with 60% from 2011 and 20% from 2009/2010 and aged 36 months in the bottle.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Bison Ribeye with Roasted Garlic and Crispy Potatoes.

Tasted: 23 May 2017

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 117/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Izadi Larrosa Premium Rosé 2016, Doca Rioja

Simple, clean, crisp & pleasant

Description: Pale salmon in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features strawberry, white peach, pear and rose on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Tech sheet from Bodegas Larrosa has this as 100% Garnacha, but on it’s intro to the wine has it listed as Garnacha & Tempranillo.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Smoked Salmon Potato Tartine.

Tasted: 18 May 2017

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

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

Kittling Ridge Baco Noir Barrel Aged Limited Edition 2012, Niagara Peninsula

One of the better Baco Noir's I've had

Description: Light to medium garnet in colour with an intense nose. This wine features smoked oak, mulberry, blackberry, plum, peppercorn, mushrooms and pipe tobacco on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Slightly chill and use the balloon style glassware

Drink now or in the next 3 of years, on its own or pair it with Gourmet style Broiled Burgers topped with Smoked Bacon and Fried Egg.

Tasted: 31 July 2016

Best Buy

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

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

Tessellae Louis Roche Old Vines 2012, Ap

Juicy, smooth & easy drinking wine with lots of flavours

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium Cherry, mulberry, blueberry, lavender, black and white peppers, Kirsch liqueur and mesquite. Medium to medium+ body, light tannins with good acidity, a fairly long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: The Grenache grapes were sourced from 60 year old vines while the Syrah and Mourvedre came from 20 year old vines.

Drink now or in the next 2 year on its own or pair it with beef tenderloin with cherry black pepper sauce.

Tasted: 23 Aug 2014

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

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

Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Gold Label Chardonnay 2013, Monterey County

Maybe at $10 it might be worth it

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon tart, grapefruit, green apples and pear. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Too sour

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with fish tacos with blood orange sauce.

Tasted: 15 Jan 2015

Score: 7.5+/10, Value: 6+/10 Total: 14/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5