Edward Rasiulis

Chateau St. Jean Pinot Noir 2011

Deep ruby with a slight garnet tinge in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A simple yet flavourable Pinot

Positives: This wine features cedar, cloves, cinnamon, cranberry, BBQ lit coals and autumn forest leaves. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next year on its own or have it with Thanksgiving dinner.

Tasted: 29 Sept 2013

Best Buy

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

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

De Loach Pinot Noir 2011, California

Medium garnet to ruby in colour with medium to medium+ intense nose.

A very pleasant drinking pinot and at under $15 you really can’t go wrong. Nice to drink with someone special sitting before a fire.

Positives: Light cedar, cloves, violets, cherry Dr. Pepper, raspberry, forest underbrush, cinnamon and Allspice. Medium minus body with low tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

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

Tasted: 30 Mar 13

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Smoking Loon Old Vine Zinfandel 2011

Medium minus ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A perfect second bottle to have on hand.

Positives: A light style Zin featuring cedar, raisins, figs, blueberry, blackberry, blackcurrants, prunes, black cherry, Dr. Pepper and chocolate. Medium to medium minus body, medium tannins, good acidity, average length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with honey BBQ ribs.

Tasted: 31 Mar 13

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Château Ducla 2010, Ac Bordeaux Supérieur

Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A simple entry level Bordeaux wine.

Positives: Light cedar, blackcurrants, cherry, anise, pencil shavings & spinach. Medium to medium+ body and tannins, with average acidity and length.

Negatives: Slightly green in its finish.

Drink now on its own but it would pair better with food such as hamburgers and meatloaf.

Tasted: 19 May 13

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Thanks to Carol Ann, from WineAlign, for the opportunity to taste this.

Top Bench Rose 2012

Pomegranate in colour with a medium+ nose.

WARNING: Easy to consume more than 1 bottle in a sitting. One of the best Canadian rosés for 2012.

Positives: This easy drinking rosé features strawberry, cherry, red currants & pink grapefruit on the finish. Medium body with good acidity a surprisingly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: I found that this wine excelled in a Riedel Tempranillo wine glass.

Drink now on its own and pair it with Porchetta.

Tasted: 25 June 13

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Bouchard Père & Fils Mâcon Lugny Saint Pierre 2011

Medium straw with a medium+ intensity

Plain Jane Chard, not much happening here but a lot of lemon. It’s like sucking on one. Medium body with good acidity and average length.

Drink now with lemon pepper grilled catfish.

Score: 8+/10, Value: 8+/10, Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars I rate this 3+

Monte Antico 2009, Igt Toscana

Medium to medium+ ruby to garnet in colour with an intense nose.

A simple easy drinking Italian wine that still retains some ruggedness.

Positives: Cedar, plum, dark & sour cherry, sage, red licorice & leather. Medium to medium+ body and tannins, with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: Nose is better than the taste.

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

Tasted: 19 May 13

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Thanks to Carol Ann, from WineAlign, for the opportunity to taste this.

Beronia Rosado 2012, Doca Rioja

Red snapper in colour with a highly intense floral nose.

Positives: This wine features strawberry, cherry, cranberry, kiwi and pink grapefruit. Medium body with good acidity a fairly long length.

Negatives: The finish is like biting into a pit, a touch bitter.

Drink now or pair it with pork chops

Tasted: 8 July 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Cathedral Cellar Chardonnay 2012, Wo Western Cape

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

A simple Chard and not as good as their 2011 vintage

Positives: Lots of lemon, lime, grapefruit with limestone. Medium body with high acidity and an average length.

Negatives: A touch too sour for me.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Tasted: 16 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3+

Casa Lapostolle Gran Seleccion Carmenere 2011, Rapel Valley

Opaque ruby to purple in colour with medium intense nose.

The blend of Merlot and Syrah makes this wine smooth and delicious.

Positives: This wine features plum, red peppers, peppercorn, cassis, raspberry, blackberry, cherry, chocolate, white pepper and vanilla. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The wine had double maturation of the grapes which is evident in the wine’s smoothness.

Drink now on its own or cellar it for another 2 years. Pair it with grilled lamb chops.

Tasted: 11 June 2013

Best Buy

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

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