Edward Rasiulis

De Bortoli Db Reserve Chardonnay 2009, South Eastern Australia

Light gold in colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: What a lovely nose, too bad the taste doesn't keep up. The aromas show medium toasty oak with butterscotch, honeysuckle, lemon meringue pie, lemons, apples & roasted marshmallows. The taste shows lemon, lime, tart apples & slate. The wine is medium body with high acidity, medium length & medium alcohol, which is a nice change in Aussy Chards.

Negatives: Too acidic which mutes a lot of flavour.

Drink now with BBQ chicken.

Tasted: 28 Jan 12

Score: 8/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

Fernandez Escudo De Plata Gran Reserva 2004, Do Jumilla

Dark purple to ruby in colour medium minus intensity on the nose.

Positives: Light cedar notes on the nose along with raspberry, roses, mushroom & hickory. The taste is smooth with medium minus tannins & acidity, medium body & length. The taste shows plum, raspberry, chocolate, nutmeg, mushrooms & tamarind.

Negatives: There are some volatile notes on the nose, especially as it opens up. In addition, there's a lot of heat coming from this wine for only 13.5% alcohol.

Interesting Things: The cork is synthetic on a Grand Reserve.

Drink now & pair it with rack of lamb.

Tasted: 21 Nov 11

Score: 8.+/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

13th Street Pink Palette Rosé 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Riesling
Category: Rosé Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Thirteenth Street Wine Corp.
Alcohol: 12.5 %
Description: A beautiful rich pomegranate colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Probably the best rosé I have tasted from Canada. Features strawberry, pomegranate, watermelon, cranberry, Bing & sour cherry. Medium body with good acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: I used the Viognier glass which brought out the best in this wine.

Drink now on its own or pair it with pork chops with a sweet & spicy rub.

Tasted: 7 Jun 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Columbia Crest H3 Chardonnay 2009, Horse Heaven Hills

Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A creamy full flavoured Chardonnay

Positives: This wine features medium toasted oak, wood smoke, lemon/lime, crème brulee, toffee, nutmeg, peanut brittle, vanilla & café con leche on the finish. Full body with average acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with turkey for Christmas.

Interesting Point: I bought this wine at Costco in Florida for $11.99, which I think is priced right.

Tasted: 1 January 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Liberty School Rosé 2012, California

Robin red in colour with a medium nose.

My favourite red blend (GSM), but Hope Family misses the mark on this rosé.

Positives: A simple rosé featuring strawberry, raspberry & cherry. Medium body with average acidity and length.

Negatives: It’s a touch hot, unusual for a rosé.

Interesting Notes: There are better rosés at lower prices. Check my favourites.

Drink now on its own and it paired excellently with Porchetta.

Tasted: 4 June 13

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 7.5/10 Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Therapy Vineyards Pinot Noir 2011, BC VQA Okanagan Valley

Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

This doesn’t taste like a Pinot Noir, more like a cheap California wine that you can buy for $5. I believe Therapy needs therapy on this one!

Notes: Strawberry jam, cherry pie and milk chocolate. Medium body with average acidity & length.

Negatives: Too many to name.

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

Tasted: 13 June 13

Score: 8/10, Value: 6/10 Total: 14/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot 2010, Columbia Valley

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

If you look beyond the musky nose, it’s not bad especially at the price point.

Positives: This wine features mild oak, plum, cherry, blackberry, mulberry, graphite, leather, oregano and mushrooms. Medium+ body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: There’s s musky smell that I wouldn’t associate with Merlot. Some heat generated from the 13.5% alcohol, which makes me supect that’s it’s actually higher.

Interesting Point: I like the new label on this wine.

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

Tasted: 27 Oct 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Matchbook Old Head Chardonnay 2011, Dunnigan Hills

If you like eating dill chips you’ll love this Chard

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium to light toasted oak, lots of dill, Easter Lilly, lemon meringue pie, orange marmalade and peach. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: I love dill chips, so I really like this Chard.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with pan seared trout in butter a wine caper sauce.

Tasted: 12 Aug 2014

Best Buy

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

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

Mcwilliam's Hanwood Estate Chardonnay 2013, Southeastern Australia

A simple, uncomplicated & citric Chard

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features lemon, grapefruit, green apples, green olives and some limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: The right glassware is key to enjoying this wine. I recommend the smaller cooler Chard style glass.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Pan Fried Chicken simmered with tomato, basil, garlic and olive sauce.

Tasted: 27 March 2016

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 (sale: 8.5+/10) Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

Havens Reserve Oakville Chardonnay 2013, Oakville, Napa Valley

A bombastic Chard, & not for the faint at heart

Description: Old gold in colour with an intense nose. This wine features lots of oak, ripe mango and pineapple, candy caramel covered apple (reminds me of the EX – Canadian Exhibition), crème brûlée and a touch of Grand Marnier soufflé. Full body average to good acidity and a fairly long length with the alcohol, a whopping 15.1%, is well integrated.

Negatives: More bark than bite.

Interesting Note: So the professional in me knows that this wine is lacking in the execution, but I am still intrinsically drawn to the flavour profile, especially with the food pairing.

Drink now or in the next 10 years (the fruit may come to the fore front) on its own or pair it with Snow Crab.

Tasted: 14 Dec 2015

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5