Edward Rasiulis

Don Jacobo Reserva 2004

Bright ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A nice Tempranillo reserva for under $20

Positives: This wine features cedar, oak, sandalwood, cherry, leather, cigar box, strawberry & fresh spinach. Medium body & tannins, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: A little too tart on the finish.

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with pork fillet with sherry sauce.

Tasted: 17 January 2014

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

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

Eau Vivre Pinot Noir 2008, BC VQA Similkameen Valley

Light garnet in colour with medium to medium+ intense nose.

For under $21 it’s worth to try it.

Positives: This wine shows light pine, fallen leaves, champagne mushrooms, sour cherry, strawberry and lots of pomegranate. Medium minus body and tannins with good acidity a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own, but pairs better with food such as peppercorn tuna.

Tasted: 11 July 2013

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

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

Loosen Bros. Dr. L. Sparkling Riesling, Charmat Method, Germany

A simple but flavourful off dry & easy drinking sparkling that’s nice to drink

Description: Gold in colour with a medium intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features peach, lime, honeydew melon and Kiwi. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: This year’s version is so much better than last years.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with caviar topped poached eggs on a bed of wilted greens.

Tasted: 31 Aug 2014 (Happy Birthday to my friend Dave whom I’ve known for 44 yrs)

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

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

Beronia Tempranillo 2010, Rioja

Description: Opaque ruby in colour with medium+ intensity in the nose.

Positives: The nose is just lovely featuring sandalwood, cloves, cinnamon & coconut. The taste features oak, sour cherry, plums and raspberry tea.

Negatives: The taste doesn’t measure up to the nose.

Interesting Things: I reviewed the 2007 in Nov 2011 and in comparison this one falls well below it. It also has a more opaque appearance and a higher alcohol content of 14%.

Drink now on its own or pair it with pulled pork sandwich.

Tasted: 25 Jan 13

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

In Situ Signature Chardonnay/Viognier 2011, Aconcagua Valley

Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Good Chard at the clearance price

Positives: This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, green apple, apricot, peach and pineapple. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Bitterness and sourness on the finish.

Interesting Point: One would think that the Riedel Chardonnay/Viognier glass would be the perfect stemware for this wine; nope. The glass accentuated the bitterness/sourness. Instead I used the larger Chard glass.

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with calamari.

Tasted: 9 Sept 2013

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (clearance price:9/10) Total: 17+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

De Bortoli Emeri Pink Moscato, South Eastern Australia

Pale pink in colour with high intensity in the nose, this wine is off-dry sparkling wine that shows vibrant fruits of strawberry, raspberry, and fruit cocktail. A little bit of lemon gives nice acidity on the finish that rounds off this sparkling with a clean finish. With only 8% alcohol this wine is easy to drink by itself or with breaded calamari. This wine is similar to a rosé prosecco, but with more body and less alcohol. Priced accordingly, I put this sparkling wine in my top pick.

Tasted: 18 May 2011

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 1.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Muga Rosé 2012, Doca Rioja

Pale salmon in colour with a medium+ nose.

WARNING: Easy to consume more than 1 bottle in a sitting. One of the best light style rosé I’ve ever had.

Positives: This easy drinking rosé features lavender, sweet strawberry, watermelon, juicy apple and pink grapefruit on the finish. Lighter+ body with good acidity a very length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: I compared this wine in different style glasses and the Tempranillo style came way out ahead of the others.

Drink now on its own and it paired excellently with sweet & spicy BBQ pork chops.

Tasted: 1 June 13

Amazing Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Sileni Cellar Selection Merlot 2012, Hawkes Bay, North Island

Nothing complicated here just a light and juicy wine

Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. The wine features light oak, cherry, raspberry, blackberry & plums. Medium to light body with low tannins, good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: Seemed like there was a second fermentation going on in the bottle

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with garlic prime rib.

Tasted: 12 Sept 2014

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Sale price 8.5+/10) Total: 117/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Wente Southern Hills Livermore 12 Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

One of the best wines under $20 to take to a party because it’s smooth, delicious and the alcohol is under 14%, so more to drink

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light cedar, black cherry, blackberry, plums, cassis, vanilla, figs, milk chocolate, turmeric, cinnamon and a touch of pencil shavings. Medium body with smooth tannins, good acidity and a long length

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or and pair it with ribeye steak.

Tasted: 14 July 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Alamos Selección Malbec 2010, Uco Valley, Mendoza

Deep dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Plain Jane Malbec that will appeal to those that like their reds on the sweet side.

Notes: Prunes, blackberry, maraschino cherry in milk chocolate and blueberry pie. Medium+ body with low tannins and acidity with an average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair with sweet & spicy BBQ pork chops.

Tasted: 14 June 13

Score: 8/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 16.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3