Edward Rasiulis

Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

I challenge anyone to find at the LCBO a Sonoma Cab of this quality for under $16 sale price

Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with a medium+ nose. An easy drinking wine featuring cedar, boysenberry, bramble fruit, mocha, roasted red peppers, peppercorns, tobacco, turmeric and leather. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidy and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I found the 2013 better quality than 2009 that I had reviewed.

Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Fillet Mignon with Peppercorn Butter Sauce.

Tasted: 3 Aug 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Inniskillin Okanagan Estate Chardonnay 2013, BC VQA Okanagan Valley

A spicy Chard that has lots of character & quality for under $15

Description: Medium gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, MacIntosh apples, peach, clementine, pineapple, dill, ginger, butterscotch, oak spice, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I really like Inniskillin’s Niagara Peninsula Chard, same year, reviewed by me and this one takes it by a nose.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Chicken with Creamy Dill Sauce.

Tasted: 6 January 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Scott Family Estate Dijon Clone Chardonnay 2013, Arroyo Seco, Monterey

Rich, creamy with a nice balance of tropical fruit

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine featuring lightly toasted oak, lemon meringue, mango, pineapple, sweet corn, dill, ginger, oak spice, roasted almonds, butterscotch and Easter lily on the finish. Full body with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: This vintage is superior to the 2011 vintage that I reviewed in 2013, but also this one is $5 more expensive & worth the extra money.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Creamy Chicken Fettuccine with zesty nutmeg and lemon sauce.

Tasted: 31 March 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Hoya De Cadenas Reserva Tempranillo 2011

My new favourite Tempranillo reserva for under $15

Description: Deep garnet with ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine has a beautiful nose and taste featuring sandalwood, tobacco cherry, plum, strawberry, nutmeg, dried figs, cinnamon and cloves. Medium+ body, medium tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Decant for 30min to an hour and it will be silky smooth.

Interesting Point: "The Hoya de Cadenas Estate is an eco-paradise just 100 Km from the city of Valencia. The estate boasts over 200 hectares of the finest local and international vine varieties. Its situation on the slopes of the Sierra de la Bicuerca affords a particular micro-climate with temperature variations from day to night which give the grapes their own special characteristics and encourages the accumulation of highly valued polyphenols." (From Hoya de Cadenas web site)

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

Tasted: 29 Aug 2015

Amazing & Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale: Total: 18.5+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Gran Feudo Reserva 2009

A nicely aged reserva at a good price

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features sandalwood, plum, cherry, blackberry, thyme, pumpkin spice, espresso, tobacco leaves and leather. Medium body with dusty tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Slightly watery

Interesting Note: Like the fact that it’s only 13% alcohol. This wine presents better in the Tempranillo style glassware vs the larger Cab glassware

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Spicy Chorizo Paella.

Tasted: 28 January 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+

Featherstone Joy Premium Cuvée Sparkling Wine 2011, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula

Simple yet elegant

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features brioche, lemon, green apples, dill, ginger and white flowers on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: The 2011 Vintages are on clearance as 2012 are now coming to stores. This sparkler is topped with a bottle cap not cork.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Grouper with Lemon Basil Cream Sauce.

Tasted: 5 March 2017

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance Price: 9/10), Total: 17+/20

Best Buy at Clearance Price

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

Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2014, Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay

Well made California chard

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, green-yellow-red apples, honeydew melon, pineapple and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Spiced Apple Slow Cooked Pork Chops.

Tasted: 29 Dec 2015

Best Buy

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

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

Wente Riva Ranch Chardonnay 2013, Arroyo Seco Monterey

Substance, elegance, style & balanced. Oh yes, delicious!

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium to light buttered toasted oak, lemon meringue, peach, mango, pineapple, Spy apple, oak spice, cloves, ginger, dill, butterscotch and Easter Lily on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: none

Interesting Note: Wente wines are becoming my go to wines.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Duet of Pork Belly Porchetta and Seared Scallop, served with Apple, Pear and Celery Salad.

Tasted: 23 January 2016

Best Buy

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

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

Chateau Des Charmes Rosé Sparkling 2012, VQA Niagara On The Lake

Simple, easy drinking sparkling wine that is great for summer patio drinking

Description: Pink in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features mild yeast, strawberry, cherry, McIntosh apple and cotton candy. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years, on its own or pair it with a light Summer Spinach Strawberry Salad with Poppyseed Vinaigrette.

Tasted: 26 June 2016

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

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

Casarena Sinergy Reserva Red 2013, Luján De Cuyo, Mendoza

Impressive wine that’s juicy, complex, full flavoured & balanced at a price well below what it taste like

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, blackcurrants, dark cherry, plum, raisins, anise, cassis, spearmint, thyme, turmeric, arugula and violets on the nose. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Interesting abstract label

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Bone-In Rib Eye with roasted red peppers.

Tasted: 29 March 2016

Best buy & Top pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5