Edward Rasiulis

Ken Forrester Reserve Chenin Blanc 2012, Wo

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

Great quality Chenin for a great price

Positives: This wine features lime, green apple, lemon rind, ripe pear, flint, white pepper, limestone and a touch of honey. Medium body with good acidity and a long length

Negatives: A little heat from the 14% alcohol

Interesting Point: 1.The winery uses no herbicides or pesticides and the grapes are handpicked. 2.This wine is an age worthy Chenin that will only get better with age. 3. The best glass was the Chardonnay/Viognier Riedel stemware.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or and pair it with P.E.I. Mussels Sautéed with Garlic, Shallots & Parsley in White Wine Sauce.

Tasted: 6 July 2014

Best Buy & Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Tarras The Canyon Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008, Central Otago, South Island

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

Not a typical Central Otago due to its muted flavours, and I would have preferred this wine to be under $25.

Positives: Pine notes give to cranberry, pomegranate, cherry, mulberry, blackberry and earthly notes of forest underbrush & smoked ambers. Medium+ body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: Decant for an hour and chill it to 15C.

Drink now on its own or pair it with seared tuna with tomato, scallop & chilly pepper couscous.

Tasted: 2 May 13

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

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

Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay 2007, Napa County

Golden yellow in colour with high intensity on the nose.

Positives: Too much to write about but here's a summary to this complex wine. Medium toasted oak, buttery, cream corn, creme brûlée lemon meringue pie, roasted marshmallows, apple pie, caramel & cashews. Full body, alcohol is well integrated, good acidity & very long length.

Negatives: 15% alcohol. Interesting Things: Don't over chill it & use the larger Chard wine glasses.

Drink now or cellar it for another 5-7 years. Drinks well on its own as a meal or pair it with lobster & drawn butter.

Tasted: 12 Jan 12

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Sperling Vineyards Old Vines Foch Reserve 2010, Okanagan Valley

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

Unusual try a Fosch from BC rather than Ontario.

Positive Notes: Intense flavours of plums, dark cherry, mulberry, raspberry, pastrami, fennel & pomegranate. Medium+ body with good acidity & length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or over the next 3 years and pair it with venison.

Tasted: 13 June 13

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

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

Sandeman Vau Vintage Port 2000

Opaque blood red in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Not a complex Port but very smooth showing dry fig fruit, raisin, plum, licorice & tamarin.

Negatives: None

Drink now & pair it with blue cheese or almonds & dark chocolate.

Tasted: 19 Dec 11

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

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

Bishop's Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Paso Robles

Medium dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose.

This is produced more in the Australian Barossa Cab style.

Positives: This is a softer style cab featuring light cedar, bramble pie, blackberry, blueberry, ripe tamarinds, plums, dark cherry, mocha, black pepper, light tar and menthol. Medium+ body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity a fairly length.

Negatives: A touch sweet for me.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with peppercorn steak.

Tasted: 13 June 13

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

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

Rosemount Show Reserve Gsm 2006, Mclaren Vale, South Australia

First off let me just say that I have not yet had a Rosemount Show Reserve wine that I didn't like & this one doesn't disappoint. Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium intensity on the nose. A complex nose that shows plums, dill, raspberry, blackberry, cherry, cedar, dark chocolate smoked bacon, black & white pepper & mocha. The taste is just as complex as the nose showing similar notes as the nose. Surprisingly with the high alcohol & being from Australia you would expect more prune or cooked fruit. However, the taste is old world, except for the heat. The taste is dry, medium+ tannins & acidity with a very long length. The wine has medium to full body & balanced. The wine is drinkable now but will age nicely for the next 5 years. Drink on it's own or rack of lamb.

Tasted 17 Aug 11.

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value; 7/10, Total: 16.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Marqués De Murrieta Finca Ygay Reserva 2006, Doca Rioja

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

A classic Rioja Tempranillo for under $25

Positives: This wine features cedar, sandalwood, pastrami, plum, Allspice, dark cherry, dark chocolate and some leather on the finish. Medium body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with grilled lamb chops.

Tasted: 12 Sept 2013

Best Buy

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

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

Glen Carlou Petit Verdot/Tannat 2009

Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Reminds me of Hubba Bubba grape gum

Positives: This wine features cedar, prunes, dark cherry, raspberry, hickory, iodine, cocoa, eucalyptus, pepper and licorice. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Lots of heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: If you have a cold, inhale this, as it will clear your nasal passages.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with dry rubbed beef ribs.

Tasted: 21 March 2014

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

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