Edward Rasiulis

Hob Nob Pinot Noir 2009, Vin De Pays D'oc

Dark purple to ruby in colour. On the nose, Med+ intensity, showing prunes, dark cherry, vanilla, mocha, some mushrooms and a little cedar. On the palate, low tannins, med acidity, med to full body, balanced with a med length. Taste is the same as the nose. Not a complex wine, and a little to jammy for my taste in a Pinot. On a blind I would pick this as a California Merlot. This wine is a good introduction to people who don’t know Pinots, or those that don’t like a Burgundian style or as a matter of fact, Oregon and New Zealand’s Central Otago Pinots. Drink this wine now, on its own or with food. Paired well with Marigold Chicken & Exotic Mushroom Ballontine made by Chef Tobias from Red Canoe Bistro in Burlington.
Tasted: 19 April 2011
Score: 6.5/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 15.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

Wakefield Chardonnay 2009, Clare Valley, South Australia

Gold in colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: An inoffensive chard that should please the masses. Notes of lemon, nectarine, peach, apple, some wet stone & a light creamy oak finish.

Negatives: None.

A food friendly chard that is also easy to drink on its own. Priced fairly.

Tasted: 10 Feb 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Henry Of Pelham Sibling Rivalry White 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula

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

Positives: Lychee, peach, pear & apricot on the nose. The taste is similar as the nose with additions of pink grapefruit, lemon & limestone. Medium body, high acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: Too much tartness on the taste.

Interesting Thing: Don't over chill this wine as it will dull the aromatic notes.

Drink now & pair it with spinach salad with raspberry dressing. Good palate cleanser.

Tasted: 3 Jan 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

Cathedral Cellar Merlot 2008, Wo Coastal Region

Deep ruby to garner in colour with an intense nose.

Positives: Cedar, dried raspberry, dark cherry, mushroom, pencil shavings & leather. Medium to full body, medium tannins, good acidity with a fairly long length.

Negatives: Pungent nose (burnt rubber) will turn people away, but the taste is nice.

Interesting Point: On a blind I would guess Pinotage from the nose and Cabernet Sauvignon from the taste.

Drink now on its own or pair it with mild German pepperettes or ketchup chips.

Tasted: 18 July 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Small Gully The Formula Helen's Harmony Viognier 2008, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Medium+ straw colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: Lots of fruit explosion in the mouth featuring dried apricot, peach, peach pit, guava, orange rind & white pepper. Medium body with good acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: Slight oxidative note.

Drink now on its own or pair it with orange roughy.

Tasted: 31 May 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Alianca Terra Boa Tinto 2010

Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: An easy drinking wine featuring plums, raisins, blueberry jam & some cedar. Medium body with low tannins, medium acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: A touch sweet.

Interesting Point: This best buy comes by the recommendation from my brother Andrew.

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

Tasted: 3 Sep 12

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

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

François Schwach Le Crémant Blanc De Blancs 2007, Ac Alsace

Light straw in colour with medium mousse & medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Not a complex sparkling, but very pleasant & easy going that will benefit those that don't like the yeasty, heavier champagne style. The wine features peach, honeydew melon, apple, lemon zest & nectarines. Lighter style with medium+ acidity & medium length.

Negatives: A touch watery.

Drink now on its own or pair it with eggs Benedict.

Tasted: 16 Sept 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

Irony Merlot 2009, Napa Valley

Medium ruby with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Plums, milk chocolate, mulberries, sweet cherry, rhubarb, some leather, cumin, red liquorice, cinnamon & all spice. Medium body, medium tannins, good acidity & long length.

Negatives: Lots of heat coming from the listed 14.5% alcohol. Some bitterness on the finish.

Interesting Points: This wine should please those that like their reds with a slight sweetness & lots of alcohol.

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

Tasted: 12 May 12, Score: 8+, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 17/20

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

Liberty School Syrah 2010, Central Coast

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

Positives: An easy drinking wine featuring light oak, violets, black cherry, plums, pipe tobacco, blackberry, Allspice, white and black pepper, oyster mushrooms and cured meat. Medium body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: In Vintages now.

Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with a lightly pepper dusted pork chop, soothed with balsamic blueberry reduction.

Best Buy

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

Le Parisien Pinot Noir 2010, Pays D' Oc Igp

Medium ruby to garnet in colour with a medium minus intense nose.

I usually find low-end French wines in Ontario of low quality and not even deserving of their low price. However, this one is an exception, and I thank my brother’s finance Liz for bringing it to dinner.

Positives: A simple Pinot featuring cedar, strawberry, cherry, black tealeaf, light underbrush and oyster mushrooms. Medium to medium minus body, medium tannins, good acidity and average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with veal tenderloin.

Tasted: 30 Mar 13

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

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