Edward Rasiulis

Rockway Vineyards Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2014, VQA Twenty Mile Bench

A solid Canadian Chard that’s a nice change from the standard model for an oaked Chard

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon meringue, lime, red & green apples, peach, pear, light yeast, oak spice and white flowers on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Grilled Veal Chops with mushrooms.

Tasted: 1 June 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Vértice Cuvée Bruto Espumante, Traditional Method, Doc Douro, Portugal

Champagne style at a great price

Description: Rose gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features, light toasted oak, brioche, lemon/lime, orange, Anjou pear, pineapple, green apple, peach, limestone and Easter Lily & peat moss on the nose. Light to medium body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

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

Drink now or in the next 10 of years on its own or pair it with Lemon Grass Snapper Ceviche.

Tasted: 7 May 2017

Best Buy & Amazing Buy for Sparkling Wines

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 (Clearance Price: 10/10), Total: 19/20

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

Schola Sarmenti Roccamora Nardo' Negroamaro 2013, Doc Nardò

Smokey with lots of spice with a mouthful of flavour

Description: Dark ruby to purple in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features toasted oak, dried cherry, raisins, blackberry, cloves, cinnamon, white & black pepper and cherry tobacco on the nose. Medium+ body with mild tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I like the label

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Pasta Arrabbiata.

Tasted: 14 Aug 2017

Best Buy & Amazing buy at the clearance price

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 9.5+/10) Total: 17.5+/20

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

Celler El Masroig Les Sorts Sycar 2013, Do Monsant

Fruity with spice & easy drinking

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, all spice, leather, black & white pepper and violets on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: I like the minimalist black label.

Drink now or in the next 7-10 of years on its own or pair it with Braised Pork Chops with Cherry Sauce.

Tasted: 28 September 2017

Best Buy at Clearance Price

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 17.5/20

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

Stonehedge Reserve Chardonnay 2014, Napa Valley

A nice balanced Napa Chard between oak, fruit & acidity at a good price

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light to medium toasted oak, butter, lemon, orange, pineapple, mango, ginger, dill, peaches & cream corn, oak spice and apple blossoms on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Touch to much heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Seared Foie Gras.

Tasted: 6 June 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Rockway Vineyards Small Lot Cabernet Merlot 2013, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula

Juicy yet firm, one of the better Ontario Merlot’s for under $25

Description: Medium bronze in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, black cherry, blackcurrants, plum, blueberry, anise, cassis, tobacco leaves, green peppers, rosemary and violets on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 of years on its own or pair it with Mediterranean Lamb Burgers.

Tasted: 4 July 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay 2015, Santa Lucia Highlands

Full flavoured, tasteful wine

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, butter popcorn, lemon zest, mango, pineapple, apple pie, cream corn, almonds, ginger and roasted marshmallows on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.9% alcohol.

Interesting Point: Sales price is correct value for this wine.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Chicken Liver Paté served Crème Brûlée Style, with Homemade Pan Brioche and Fruit Confiture

Tasted: 30 June 2017

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+

De Morgenzon Garden Vineyards Rosé 2016

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

Description: Light salmon in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cherry, strawberry, apple, honeydew melon, passion fruit and white rose on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: DeMorgenzon originally founded in 1699, means “morning sun”.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with a Spinach & Goat Cheese Salad made with Warm Sun Dried Cranberries and Crispy Italian Pancetta with Basil Olive Oil 

Tasted: 25 May 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Marqués De Caceres Rosado 2016, Doca Rioja

Another solid, dry yet juicy Spanish rosé made from Tempranillo

Description: Red snapper in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cherry, strawberry, red currants, peach, pink grapefruit and cloves. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 of years on its own or pair it with Rosemary Flatbread topped with Blue Cheese, Grapes and Honey.

Tasted: 1 August 2017

Best Buy

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

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

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

A simple, easy to drink sparkler

Description: Copper in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This sparkling wine features pink grapefruit, raspberry, strawberry and clementine. Medium body with good acidity and long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Eggs Florentine and Crispy Sage Potatoes.

Tasted: 21 February 2016

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

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