Edward Rasiulis

Hartford Four Hearts Vineyards Chardonnay 2009, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

Bright old gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Not for the faint at “heart”. Sorry couldn’t resist. Big, heavy, bold & utterly delicious.

Positives: This complex wine features medium+ toasted oak, vanilla, coconut, lemon meringue pie, roasted marshmallows, crème brulee, walnuts, butterscotch, pineapple, orange & tangerines. Full body with good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The wine is unfined & unfiltered.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with turkey for Christmas.

Tasted: 21 Dec 2013

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 19.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Baron De Ley Gran Reserva 2001, Doca Rioja

Medium+ ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intensity in the nose.

Positives: What a devine nose. I just want to get an oxygen mask & substitute the oxygen for the aromas of this wine. Notes of cedar, sandalwood, cigar box, cherry, cloves, cinnamon & suede. The taste ain't bad either featuring cedar, dark & sour cherry, raspberry, strawberry, cassis, cloves, leather, arugula & spinach. Medium to medium+ body, medium+ tannins, good acidity, long length & a touch of heat from the alcohol.

Negatives: Surprisingly astringent for a 2001 Grand Reserva. Decant for at least an hour & during that time just inhale the aromas. The taste catches up to the nose.

Drink now or over the next 2 years & pair it with rack of lamb.

Tasted: 19 Mar 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Bishop'S Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Paso Robles

Medium dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose.

This is produced more in the Australian Barossa Cab style.

Positives: This is a softer style cab featuring light cedar, bramble pie, blackberry, blueberry, ripe tamarinds, plums, dark cherry, mocha, black pepper, light tar and menthol. Medium+ body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity a fairly length.

Negatives: A touch sweet for me.

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

Tasted: 13 June 13

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

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

Henriot Souverain Brut Champagne, Ac

Deep straw in colour, a medium to medium+ intense nose with fine mousse.

This may be my new favourite Champagne

Positives: This complex smooth Champagne features medium toasted crostini, brioche, yeast, white flowers, lemon zest, orange, Anjou pears, green and yellow apples, ginger, honey and toasted almonds. Medium+ body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years and pair it with caprese salad made with Mozzarella di Bufala.

Tasted: 28 May 2014

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

Domdechant Werner Hocheimer Kirchenstueck Riesling Auslese 2003, Prädikatswein

Bright gold in colour with a medium minus intensity on the nose.

Positives: Dried apricot, mango, beeswax, honey, peach compote, lemon/lime candy, nutmeg & tangerine. Medium sweet, medium+ body with medium acidity, long length & low alcohol.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Points: It's unusual to find Riesling with this somewhat muted nose. If you like aged Riesling but don't like the classic petrol note, this wine is for you. Be careful when drinking this wine as you can easily drink a bottle very quickly so I suggest you get 2 bottles. Make sure you don't over chill it to get the most out of what this wine has to offer.

Drink two bottles on its own or pair it with jerk pork & chicken.

Tasted: 14 April 12

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+

Marqués De Murrieta Finca Ygay Reserva 2006, Doca Rioja

Medium light ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A classic Rioja Tempranillo for under $25

Positives: This wine features cedar, sandalwood, pastrami, plum, Allspice, dark cherry, dark chocolate and some leather on the finish. Medium body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with grilled lamb chops.

Tasted: 12 Sept 2013

Best Buy

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

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

Quady Essensia Orange Muscat 2007, California

Ripe apricot colour, high intensity nose showing apricots, fermented tangerine, butterscotch, ginger and vanilla. On the taste, good acidity, full body desert wine that shows as the nose does. On the sweetness scale it’s not as sweet as Ice Wine on the palate, so pare it well with deserts that are not overly sweet such as Maple Citrus Tart. For the price this is a Best Buy.
Tasted: 19 April 2011
Score: 8/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Geografico Pulleraia 2006, Igt Toscana

Medium minus garnet in colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Cedar, sour cherry, truffles, oregano, Thai basil, cassis, plum, blackberry, tamarind, leather & a touch of spinach. Medium body with high tannins, medium to medium+ acidity with a long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: I would have never guessed this wine as Merlot.

Drink now or over the next 5 years, but right now pair it with a high protein meal to break down the tannins.

Tasted: 1 July 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Vine Cliff Proprietress Reserve Chardonnay 2007, Los Carneros, Napa Valley

The 2007 is showing nicely with rich creamy buttery texture. Medium toasted oak, vanilla, caramel, crème brûlée, pineapple, lemon meringue pie, nutmeg, marshmallow, limestone & a hint of sarsaparilla on the finish. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: There is some heat coming from the 14.6% alcohol. Chill it a little more than usual.

Interesting Point: Use the larger Chard glasses.

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with lobster and drawn butter.

Tasted: 21 Dec 12

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

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

Rutherford Ranch Zinfandel 2008, Napa Valley

Medium light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

This is an intense Zinn without any jammy qualities. Cedar, pine nuts, vanilla bean, menthol, smoked hickory, cassis, cloves, blueberry, nectarines, boysenberry, dark chocolate, cherry cola & mocha. Medium body with medium tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Holy 16% alcohol Batman! Lots of heat coming from it. Good medicine. If it wasn't for the high alcohol this would be an exceptional Zinn.

Interesting Point: Rutherford Ranch is a consistent producer of good wines.

Drink now on its own or pair it with BBQ pork ribs based in an Italian tomato style sauce.

Tasted: 15 Sept 12

Best Buy, Score: 9/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18.5/20

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