Edward Rasiulis

Pirramimma Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Mclaren Vale

I don't recall ever having a Pirramimma that I didn't like, and this one keeps the streak alive.

Dark almost opaque ruby in colour intensity with high intense nose. The nose shows a lot Zin characteristics such as raisin, prunes, dates, figs, mocha, cherry tobacco pipe smoke, cedar, vanilla, blackcurrants, white pepper, violets & eucalyptus. The taste is as complex as the nose. The taste is more skewed to what a Cab is. It's dry, medium+ tannins & acidity, full body & powerful with long length, high alcohol but balanced. Notes show cedar, raisins, plum, dark cherry, blackcurrants, dates, mocha, turmeric, leather, vanilla, black & white pepper, eucalyptus & some pencil shavings. This is a smooth wine with a velvet touch on your tongue. Love this wine. There are only 2 negatives. 1) Even though I love the nose, I want my Cab to smell like a Cab, and 2) The high alcohol. Drink now on it's own or with grilled steak. Tasted 24 Aug 11. Best Buy & Top Pick. Score: 9.5/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 9.5/10

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Deutz Brut Rosé Champagne, Ac

Salmon in colour with fine mousse & medium+ intense nose. Positives: Rose petals, strawberry, yeasty, biscotti, ambrosia apples, cherry & mineral notes. Full body with good acidity & a long creamy finish.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Points: Having this for my birthday so cheers! You should always treat yourself on your BD.

Drink on its own or pair it with salmon (sake) sashimi.

Tasted: 12 Mar 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz 2008, Barossa Valley,

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

Positives: There's a lot going here in this complex wine. Violets, cedar, spices, blackberries, coffee, plums, anise, dark chocolate, menthol, smoked bacon, roasted red peppers and sawdust. Full body, medium tannins, good acidity with long length and the high alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

This wine is a meal on itself, but will also pair nicely with a medium rare T-bone steak. Drink now or cellar for another 5 years.

Tasted: 25 Feb 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Ross Shiraz 2006, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Dark garnet to ruby in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: A powerful but not jammy Shiraz from Australia featuring cedar, peppers (white, red & black), bacon, plums, mesquite, dark chocolate, blackcurrants, tar, dark cherry & expresso. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Quite a bit of heat coming from the alcohol although it's only listed as 14%.

Interested Point: I purchased this wine at a LCBO store for $21.70, which makes it a best buy at that price).

Drink now on its own or pair it with braised lamb shank.

Tasted: 25 Apr 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Château La Fleur D'arthus 2008, Ac St émilion

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

A fine St. Emillion featuring wet cedar, blackberries, red & black currants, licorice, graphite, spinach, radicchio, all-spice & red peppers. Medium body with high tannins & acidity with a long length.

Negatives: A little astringent now.

You will be rewarded with another 4-6 years for the wine to mature.

Tasted: 2 Sept 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

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

Inniskillin Winemaker's Series Montague Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula

Light garnet in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: Sweet & tart, just like I like my Pinots: (and you thought I was going to say something else?) This Pinot features smoked cedar, cranberry, strawberry, rhubarb, cherry pie, sweet basil, cinnamon & a light earthy taste. Medium minus in body with low tannins, high acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: A touch too high in acidity, but still yummy.

Interesting Point: I lucked out getting this wine on sale at an LCBO store for $17.55 , and remember to lightly chill it.

Drink now on its own, however due to the higher acidity this wine will show better paired food such as duck.

Tasted: 28 Aug 12

Best Buy

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

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

Château Saint Roch De Laurens 2007, Ac Faugères

Dark ruby in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Classic Faugères notes of cassis, licorice & leather. But it doesn't stop there. You'll also find tamarind, raspberry, plum, cherry, red currants & arugula. Medium+ body, tannins & acidity with a very long finish.

Negatives: Found it a little watery.

Interesting Note: Hard to find Faugères at the LCBO.

Drink now on its own or enjoy it with rack of lamb.

Tasted: 5 Mar 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Rudolf Rabl Grüner Veltliner Reserve Vinum Optimum 2009, Kamptal

Bright gold in colour with medium intense nose.

Positives: One of the better Grüner Veltliners you will find featuring pear, white pepper, lime, grapefruit & slate. Medium body with good acidity & long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair with grilled scallops wrapped in bacon.

Tasted: 24 Dec 11

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Meursault Les Clous 2010

Medium straw with medium to medium+ intensity.

A somewhat complex Chard that presents several different layers of taste. The first layer is citric, followed by buttery light toast and finishes with a mineral note.

Drink now or over the next 3 years, on its own or pair it with red snapper ceviche.

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 7/10, Total: 16.5/20

Out of 5 stars I rate this 3+