Edward Rasiulis

Aquinas Pinot Noir 2013, Napa Valley

A sweet style Pinot

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features Christmas cake, Maraschino cherry, plums, coffee, nutmeg and violets on the nose. Full body with low tannins, low acidity and an average length.

Negatives: Way too sweet for me and some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: On the front label list this as from Napa & Sonoma County, which I find Atypical, but on the back label it's listed as North Coast which I find sweeter Pinot Noirs

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with Vietnamese Pulled Pork Sliders.

Tasted: 18 January 2016

Score: 8/10, Value: 8/10 Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

Jost Selkie Frizzante 2014

Reminds me of a sweet non-alcoholic sparkling wine you get at a supermarket

Description: Yellow gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features orange, mango, yellow apples, bubble gum and orange blossoms on the nose. Medium body with fair acidity and an average length.

Negatives: Too sweet for me, even as an aperitif

Interesting Note: Selkies are mythological creatures found in Scottish, Irish, and Faroese folklore. Selkies are said to live as seals in the sea, but shed their skin to transform into their human form on land, dance along the moonlit shores, bask in the sun on outlying skerries, and be with their human loves.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Brioche Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.

Tasted: 24 July 2016

Score: 7.5/10, Value: 7.5/10 Total: 15/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

Château Des Charmes Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 2014, VQA Niagara On The Lake

Smooth, not complex but full flavoured Chard

Description: Straw in colour with an intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon meringue, pineapple, kumquat, pear, backed apple, buttered popcorn, oak spice and vanilla. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: The intense nose may deter some people

Drink now or in the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with Old Fashioned Linguine with White Clam Sauce.

Tasted: 23 September 2016

Best Buy

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

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

Gabbiano Chianti Classico 2013

Hard to beat this Chianti Classico for the price vs quality

Description: Medium light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, sour cherry, strawberry, mulberry, sage, oregano, arugula and dried mushrooms. Medium body and tannins, with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Excellent palate cleanser when having it with food. Lightly chill the wine.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Angel Hair pasta in olive oil sauce with mushrooms and dried tomatoes.

Tasted: 1 April 2016

Best buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Sale price: 9.5/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Peninsula Ridge Barrel Aged Chardonnay 2014, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula

Good value Beamsville Bench Chard that’s not overtly oaky.

Description: Medium gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon rind, yellow apple, pear, peach, coconut, oak spice & chalk. Medium body with good acidity, an average length.

Negatives: A little too chalky on the finish.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with home made slow cooked Chicken, Bacon and Sage Dumplings.

Tasted: 19 March 2016

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

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

Castillo De Almansa Rosado 2015

A rosé that’s bursting with juicy flavours

Description: Bright pomegranate in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, rhubarb and red roses on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: So far this year this is my favourite rosé

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Grilled Chicken Breasts with Strawberry Red Wine Balsamic Sauce.

Tasted: 31 May 2016

Amazing Buy, Best Buy & Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 19+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Château Dorléac 2014, Ac Graves

Simple, easy drinking but with substance & at a great price

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, red currants, dried berries, smoked cherry tobacco and violets on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Reminds me of my teen years during summers when I tried Colts cigars

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years, on its own or pair it with Roast Chicken with Thyme and Onions.

Tasted: 15 July 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Ryder Estate Chardonnay 2014, Central Coast

Interesting balance of tropical & citric fruit with sweetness & acidity

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, orange, mango, kiwi, buttered popcorn, caramel & grilled pineapple on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I can’t make up my mind if I like it or not.

Drink now or in the next 3 of years, on its own or pair it with Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Sage.

Tasted: 4 August 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 458638

Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2015, Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay

Balanced tropical fruit with oak in this well priced California Chard

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light buttered toast, lemon, green and red apples, peach, pineapple, mango, coconut, dill, ginger, vanilla and Easter Lily on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Drink from the larger Montrachet glassware

Drink now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Halibut Primavera.

Tasted: 18 October 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Red Hill Estate Pinot Noir 2014, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria

A pleasant drinking, old-world style Pinot

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, pomegranate, maraschino cherry, cranberry, Shitake mushroom and peat moss on the nose. Medium body and tannin with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some acetone on the finish

Interesting Note: Chill to 15 C and use the balloon style glassware.

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

Tasted: 25 January 2017

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

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