Edward Rasiulis

Fantini Grand Cuvée Rosé

Simple but a great for the beach or pool

Description: Pomegranate in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features strawberry, ripe cherry, raspberry and cotton candy. Light to medium body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: The label has a Swarovski crystal

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with BBQ Chicken and Summer Squash.

Tasted: 23 April 2017

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 479352

Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay 2015, Southeastern Australia

Consistent value Aussy Chard for $10

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, golden & green apples, grapefruit, pear, ginger, dill & a dusting of coconut. Medium+ body with high acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A little too tart on the finish

Interesting Note: More food friendly than just drinking on its own.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Coconut Shrimp with Mango Horseradish.

Tasted: 19 Nov 2015

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

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

Folie À Deux Ménage À Trois Red 2014, California

A simple, sweeter style California table wine but it has some substance

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features sweet oak, plums, raspberry jam, cherry and mocha. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: A touch too sweet for me

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Bone in Short Ribs with Caramelized Butternut Squash Medallions.

Tasted: 21 January 2016

Best Buy at sale price

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Sale: 9/10) Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Enigma Chardonnay 2014

This is comfort Chardonnay

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features toasted oak, lemon meringue, baked apples, peach, mango, pineapple, orange, oak spice, butterscotch, vanilla and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium+ body with average acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Orange Honey BBQ Chicken.

Tasted: 20 June 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20

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

Ironstone Chardonnay 2014, Lodi

Light, citric & easy drinking

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, lime, green & yellow apples, pineapple, tangerine, ginger and honeysuckle on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: A typical of a Lodi Chard with 14.5% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years, on its own or pair it with Hot and Spicy Ginger Chicken.

Tasted: 31 July 2016

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

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

Organized Crime Chardonnay 2013, VQA Beamsville Bench

A nice rich, creamy Chard Ontario Chard that’s not high in alcohol & under $15

Description: Gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium oak, butter toast, lemon, mango, pineapple, peach, Fuji Apples, cream corn, vanilla and buttered popcorn on the nose. Medium+ body with light average acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the larger Montrachet glassware

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with.

Tasted: 13 July 2017

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

Best Buy

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

Château Lauduc Classic Rosé 2016, Ac Bordeaux

A pleasant, light, crisp & simple rosé

Description: Light copper in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features raspberry, Rainier cherries, mandarin and pink rose on the nose. Light to medium body with light tannin, good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Wahoo Tartare.

Tasted: 15 May 2017

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

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

Seaview Brut, Southeastern Australia

Deep bright gold colour, lots of mousse with light yeasty nose and taste. On the nose, baked apple, apricot, pear & lemon. Good balance and acidity on the taste. Med+ weight & length. Med complex. Easy to drink. Taste is similar to nose. Went well with Speck or garlic cheese spread.

For the price this a Best Buy. Score: 8.5/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 18.5/20

Tasted 14 April 2011

Just Chardonnay, Vin De Pays D'oc

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

Positives: This is an unpretentious chard that, by its own label, is just Chardonnay. A delightful easy drinking wine that you can take to parties or open as an apéritif. Lightly oaked with lemon, pineapple, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, apple & some limestone. Medium body with good acidity & medium length.

Negatives: Just a slight tartness on the finish.

Interesting Note: Good news bad news. Good news is that this wine for $7.65 is a best buy. Bad news is that it's on sale for that price as the LCBO is discontinuing it, so get it where you can.

Tasted: 6 Mar 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Liberty School Chardonnay 2007, Central Coast

Lots of mango, pineapple & peach. Med+ intensity, med+ body. Very interesting chard. Light oak & toast. Meringue on the palate, mandarins, peach, lemon cany, pineapple, green apple & lots & lots of mangos. Well balanced with good acidity. Drink on it's own or with food. Best with flavored food like seasoned talapia. Med+ complexity. Nice to see a California Chard not overly high in alcohol.

On sale for $12.65 made this a best buy wine.

Tasted: March 2011

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4