Edward Rasiulis

J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay 2013, Arroyo Seco

Nothing complex, just easy drinking and pleasant Chard

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, buttered popcorn, mango, pineapple and Kiwi fruit. Full body with average acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Gouda cheese.

Tasted: 27 Aug 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Bottega Vino Dei Poeti Prosecco 2014, Doc

Light straw in colour with a good amount of mousse & medium intensity. Nose shows peach, pears, green apples, lime & minerality. Taste is dry, medium+ acidity, medium+ length, medium minus body & balanced. This Prosecco is drier than your average Prosecco & more complex. It taste like a lighter Cava. Notes on the palate are as the nose with the lime being more dominant in the back of the throat. Drink now on its own or pair it with a cheese & tomato omelet.

Tasted 28 Aug 11.

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Coyote's Run Pinot Noir 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula

A smooth & vibrant entry Pinot from a winery that specializes in Pinots

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, violets, cherry, raspberry, portabella mushrooms, basil, thyme, forest greens and smouldering autumn leaves. Medium body and tannin with a mouthful of acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lightly chill and serve in a balloon glass.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Crispy Duck with spicy plum sauce.

Tasted: 28 Aug 2015

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance: 9.5/10) Total: 18.5+/20

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

Pierre Sparr Brut Réserve Crémant D'alsace, Traditional Method, Ac, Alsace, France

Off dry, simple Champagne style sparkler that’s nice

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features light yeast, white flower, mandarin, pear, melon, pink grapefruit and some minerality on the finish. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

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

Tasted: 22 Nov 2015

Best Buy

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

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

Featherstone Canadian Oak Chardonnay 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula

This is for those that like oaked chard, and a unique perspective that the entire process is from Ontario

Description: Deep gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features toasted butter, spiced oaked, lemon, ripe pineapple, peach, walnuts, butterscotch, toasted marshmallows, vanilla and coconut. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Truly a Canadian Chard with oak barrels from trees that grew near by, wild airborne yeast and estate grown grapes

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Linguine and Lobster Scampi.

Tasted: 26 May 2015

Best Buy

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

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

Arrowood Chardonnay 2012, Sonoma County

This is simply a nice wine, well balanced and will please a broad spectrum of tastes

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium to light toasted oak, lemon, peach, nectarine, green and yellow apples, buttered croissant and butterscotch. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Slightly on the watery side

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Moroccan spiced chicken.

Tasted: 4 May 2015 (May the Force be with you)

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

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

Ghost Pines Winemaker's Blend Chardonnay 2013, Sonoma/Monterey/Napa Counties

“Danger Will Robinson” this is so good that it’s easy to drink 2 bottles, maybe even 3 if you’re still standing

Description: Bright light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This complex wine features light to medium toasted oak, Easter Lily, lemon meringue, Gala apples, pineapple, mango, kiwi, oak spice, dill, ginger and vanilla. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: There hasn’t been a vintage that I haven’t liked, but I believe the 2013 is the best that I’ve tried.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Thermidor

Tasted: 26 Nov 2014 (Happy 65th anniversary to my mom and dad)

Top Pick and Best Buy

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5+/10 (Sale price 10/10), Total: 19+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Angeline Signature Reserve Pinot Noir 2013, Green Valley, Sonoma County

A simple easygoing, non-offensive Pinot

Description: Medium to light ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light cedar, strawberry, cherry, blueberry, light rhubarb and cinnamon. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None if chilled properly

Interesting Notes: Keep it chilled as if it warms up negatives such as sweet fruits such as prunes, cherry pie and dates show up

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with BBQ pulled pork sliders.

Tasted: 12 Feb 2015

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

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

Bv Coastal Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Typical entry level Californian red but with a surprisingly fresh finish and the alcohol is in check

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features sweet oak, vanilla, Christmas cake, chocolate covered Maraschino cherry, cassis and Allspice. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A touch too sweet for me but for $9 can’t complain

Drink now on its own or pair it with Philadelphia cheese steak sandwich

Tasted: 26 Jan 2015

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Sale price: 8.5+/10) Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Charles & Charles Chardonnay 2013, Columbia Valley

A nice simple Chard, priced right, even better at the sale price

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, peach, Granny apples, vanilla, oak spice and chalk. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A little heat from the 13.9% alcohol

Interesting Point:

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with chicken thighs seared and sauteed in an olive oil, butter white wine sauce with basil and shallot remoulade.

Tasted: 19 Aug 2015

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale price: $9/10) Total: 17.5/20

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