Edward Rasiulis

Tollgate Merlot 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula

A moderate Merlot with low fruit and high alcohol

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features oak, plums, dry figs, dried blueberries, Christmas cake, rosemary, sage, cinnamon and leather. Medium+ body and medium tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: High heat from the 14.9% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with BBQ lamb chops

Tasted: 20 Dec 2014

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

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

Beronia Elaboración Especial Tempranillo 2010, Doca Rioja

Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Easy drinking, full of flavour and in a word, marvellous.

Positives: This wine features cedar, sandalwood, dark cherry, licorice stick, candied caramel apple, cola, Montreal smoked meat and all the aromas of burning Autumn leaves. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Don’t get this confused with the entry level Beronia Tempranillo in General List for $11.90. It’s night and day, and frankly; pay the extra $7 as it’s well worth it.

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with sautéed lamb chops with herbs de Provence.

Tasted: 2 Oct 2013

Best Buy

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

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

Deinhard Green Label Riesling 2012, Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany

Straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A smooth Riesling with kiss of sweetness.

Positives: This wine features green apples, pineapples, pink grapefruit, dill, peach, pears & light petrol on the nose. Medium minus body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Chris Des La Rosa, via Go Cooking, Caribbean stuffed Jerk Chicken.

Tasted: 26 Nov 2013

Best Buy

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

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

California Square Russian River Chardonnay 2012, California

Cool bottle, great region, love the wine, enough said

Description: Bright light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, peach, clementine, yellow apple, pineapple, pear, oak spice and clove. Medium+ body with good acidity, a fairly long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: One would think that a Californian Chard with 14.5% alcohol would drink best in a new world style Chard glass, but you would be wrong, at least I was as it was nicely balanced in a cooler style (smaller style) Chard glass. The best glass was the Riedel Chard/Viognier glass. In the new world glass I would rate this wine at 88, but in the smaller glass the rating goes up to 90.

Ok I admit I bought this Chard because of the cool bottle that’s reminiscent of the California in the mid to late 1800s. In addition, it’s from the Russian River Valley, which is where some of my favourite Chards come from. Lucky for me the taste was equally appealing.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with grilled quail with pepper jelly glaze.

Tasted: 21 Oct 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Cline Zinfandel 2012, California

Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A well balanced & smooth Zin for under $15

Positives: This wine features light cedar, Christmas cake, raisins, plums, raspberry, maraschino cherry and candy apple. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Unusual to have a Zin at 14% alcohol and costing under $25.

Drink now on its own or pair it with My Thai’s Restaurant’s, via Go Cooking, Paneang curry with beef.

Tasted: 19 Nov 2013

Best Buy

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

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

Red Rooster Pinot Noir 2012, Okanagan Valley

Nice smooth, smoky, earthy, full flavoured Pinot for under $20

Description: Medium light garnet with some ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked cedar, black cherry, raspberry, cranberry compote, cinnamon, cloves and autumn leaves. Medium+ body with low tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: It’s a steal if you can get it for the clearance price

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with cedar plank salmon

Tasted: 7 Jan 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Arrowood Chardonnay 2010, Sonoma County

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

I'm liking it, but not loving it

Positives: This wine features medium toasted oak, buttered popcorn, lemon, peaches & cream corn, caramel, pineapple, mango, dill and cloves. Full body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with lobster cooked in Chard and butter.

Tasted: 19 March 2014

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

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

Simi Russian River Valley Reserve Chardonnay 2011, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose.

A woody Chard devoid of fruit that will only appeal to a discerning few

This wine features medium+ toasted oak, lemon candy, burnt sugar, caramel, cloves, ginger and dill. Full body with good acidity and a long length

Negatives: A little heat from the 14.5% alcohol & too much sourness on the finish

Drink now or in the next 4 years on its own or and pair it with Peruvian Pulpo al Olivo.

Tasted: 7 July 2014

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 7.5/10 (Clearance price 8+/10), Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Niagara College Teaching Winery Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 2010, VQA

You must like Oaky Chards to like this one, and I do

Description: Deep gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. The wine features medium to medium+ toasted oak, lemon tarts, pineapple, green and yellow apples, dill, ginger, butterscotch, vanilla and Allspice. Medium+ body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: A bit tart on the finish

Interesting Note: Students from the Niagara College Winery made this wine. If you’re in St. Catharines, Ontario, please visit the college winery as these students produce some great wines.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Renegade Pork with Mango Ginger Rub.

Tasted: 9 Sept 2014

Best Buy

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

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

Bridlewood Pinot Noir 2012, Monterey County

Not a typical varietal or regional character & this will appeal to those that like the sweeter red style wines

Description: Light ruby with garnet overtones in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked-caramelized oak, maraschino cherry, cinnamon, vanilla and bramble pie. Full body with low tannins and acidity and an average length.

Negatives: Too sweet for me and the 14% alcohol is noticeable

Drink now on its own or pair it with Chinese BBQ Ribs

Tasted: 10 April 2015

Score: 7/10, Value: 6/10 Total: 13/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5+