Edward Rasiulis

Viña Cobos Felino Malbec 2008, Mendoza

Positives: Despite it's high alcohol, this wine is not jammy or overtly hot. The nose is very pleasant with classic Sauvignon notes of cedar, black currants, black cherry, turmeric, pencil shavings, leather & mocha. The taste is similar to the nose but not as pronounced.

Negatives: High alcohol, which is a pet peeve of mine. On the taste I found a slight watery feel to it which may be the result of a less than stellar crop. I also detected spinach leaf.

Interesting Notes: Light tannins with good acidity makes this wine ready to drink on its on pair it with T-bone steak on the grill.

Tasted: 25 Sept 11.

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

Sumac Ridge Tribute, BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Straw to gold in colour with fine mousse & a medium intense nose.

Positives: This sparkling can compete with Champagne at the $40-50 price range. This sparkling features green apples, lemon/lime, some yeast, pear & peach. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: I was able to pick up this sparkling at 30% off at an LCBO store, which would make it a best but.

Drink now on its own or have it with Sunday brunch.

Tasted: 2 Sept 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Graham Beck Chardonnay Viognier 2009

Medium+ straw colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: A nice easy drinking wine featuring lemon meringue, peach, white flower, honeydew melon, pear & limestone. Medium to medium+ body, good acidity with medium+ length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Thing: Unfortunately this is product is discontinued, but you can still pick up some bottles now.

Drink now on its own or it with chicken dishes.

Tasted: 18 Feb 12

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+, Value:10/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Dubeouf Brouilly 2008, Beaujolais, Burgundy

Medium minus ruby with a slight purple note. Medium+ intensity showing classic Beaujolais notes of cherry, raspberry & bubble gum. The taste is dry, light tannins, medium minus body, medium acid, medium length and balanced. The taste is as the nose. This wine is an upgrade to the Beaujolais village and should be drank now. Drink slightly chilled on its own or pair with BLT sandwich.

Tasted: 30 Aug 11

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

Wayne Gretzky Unoaked Chardonnay 2008, Niagara Peninsula

The right glassware is key to enjoying this wine

Description: Medium to light bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. Not a complex wine but what it does have is full flavour that features hints of lemon, Golden Delicious apples, pineapple and kiwi. Full body with average acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I tried this wine in warm climate style Chard glass, and all though it had flavour it was flat, lacking acidity. In the cooler style glass the acid was better making this wine very pleasant, and why it’s a Best Buy.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with grilled calamari with tomato citrus salad.

Tasted: 16 July 2015

Best Buy

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

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

Louis Bernard Côtes Du Rhône Blanc 2008, Rhône Valley

Golden in colour, med intensity. Crisp, lemon-lime, grapefruit, avocado, limestone, basil with med plus complexity. On the palate, as on the nose, good acidity makes this more food friendly than drinking on it's own. Pair it with a Capresse salad or chicken with basil linguini. Has a med body with a long length. Can't argue about the price. A good alternative to riesling or Sauvignon Blanc. You'll find this in the non-vintage section.

Tasted: April 2011

Score: 7.5/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

Inniskillin Brae Blanc 2008, Niagara Peninsula

Light straw colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Light and crisp despite the wood aging and 13% alcohol. Notes of green apple, lemon, lychee, wet stone, white peach and floral notes. Medium to medium minus body, good acidity and medium+ length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: "The wines used in the blend were fermented separately and blended after ageing. The Gewurztraminer and Riesling were cool fermented in stainless steel. Following fermentation, nearly 30% of this wine was aged for 3 months in new French Oak barrels. The Chardonnay used in this wine was barrel fermented in new and used French and American oak. The chardonnay underwent partial malolactic fermentation and was aged for 6 months in the same barrels." (Inniskillin Winery). Product is de-listed from LCBO but you can still find this wine.

Drink now on its own or pair it with plain potato chips.

Tasted: 18 Feb 12

Score: 8.5+, Value: 10/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Pelee Island Merlot 2009, Ontario VQA

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

Positives: Beautiful nose full of bramble fruit pie, cherry & with a light touch pine & cloves. The nose reminds me of wine gummy berries. The taste is similar to the nose but without the sweet pie notes. Nicely balanced, medium tannins, medium body, good acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: None for the price.

Interesting things: This vintage label is a lot nicer than their old one.

Drink now on its own or pair it with ham & pineapple.

Best Buy.

Tasted: 11 Oct 11

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19/10

Cave De Rasteau La Domelière Rasteau 2009, Ac Côtes Du Rhône Villages

Med ruby to purple colour with medium intensity on the nose. Light oak with egg plant, plum, mushroom & fig. You can definitely make out the Grenache. Taste is dry, med+ tannins & acidity, long length & a bit austere. Taste is similar to nose. Wine Spectator gave this a 90, but they didn't try this bottle. Needs to go with food like vegetable lasagna.

Tasted 14 July 2010.

Score: 6/10, value: 8/10, Total: 14/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

Ravenswood Vintners Blend Zinfandel 2009, California

Medium+ purple to ruby in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Notes of raisins, blueberry, mocha, allspice, raspberry & touch of vanilla. Medium body, good acidity, medium tannins & medium+ length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Things: This is not your powerhouse Zin with high alcohol, which will appeal to those that like Zins but don't want it as the main course for dinner.

Easy drinking on its own or pair it with venison.

Tasted: 2 Jan 12

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 9/10 (on sale 10/10), Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5