Edward Rasiulis

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

Featherstone Canadian Oak Chardonnay 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Interesting story, too bad the wine is also all about oak

Description: Gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features toasted oak, lemon tarts, guava, passion fruit, oak spice, vanilla and taffy. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Too much oak and sour long finish

Interesting Note: Grapes sources from Niagara Peninsula, using wild fermented yeast and aged in local oaked barrels.

Drink now or in the next 3 years. Needs food so soften the wine up. Pair it with Chicken Alfredo with Nutmeg and Bacon.

Tasted: 25 Dec 2015

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

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

Mcmanis Chardonnay 2014, River Junction

Well balanced & elegant California chard

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, green & Spy apples, peach, honeydew melon, pineapple, dill and butterscotch on the finish. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Screw top

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Ginger and Honey Chicken Wings.

Tasted: 30 Dec 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Belle Glos Las Alturas Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County

Not for the faint of heart Pinot lovers as this wine leans towards Port

Description: Opaque ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, blueberry pie, bramble fruit, dark cherry, plum, figs, cinnamon and cloves on the nose. Full body with mild tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.8% alcohol.

Interesting Note: Use the balloon style glassware and chill it to 15C

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Rack of Lamb.

Tasted: 25 December 2016

Score: 9/10, Value: 8/10 Total: 17/20

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

Bersano Costalunga Barbera D'asti 2008, Piedmont

Med ruby color with med+ intensity. Sour cherry, smokey, cherry licorice mixed with earth tones on the nose. On the palate true Italian notes of sour cherry, red apple, some cherry licorice, red currants & pomegranate. Med body with a long finish. Med tannins, med+ acidity, balanced. Medium complexity. Drink now, on it's own or with a veal sandwich.

Best buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Amisfield Pinot Noir 2008, Central Otago, South Island

Dark ruby in colour with medium to medium+ intensity.

Positives: Now this is a great Pinot featuring bold flavours of cherry, pomegranate, rhubarb, cranberry, beets, pine & hints of barnyard. Medium body with medium minus tannins, good acidity & long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Points: I had the privilege of tasting this wine last year at the New Zealand Wine Tasting & it was one of my favourite wines that were offered. I’m happy to find that the LCBO now carries it, and even better was that I picked up this wine for $31.55.

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

Tasted: 28 Apr 12

Top Pick. Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

Carrick Pinot Noir 2007, Central Otago, South Island

Medium minus ruby in colour with med intensity on the nose. The nose shows unmistakeable Pinot with light beetroot, rhubarb, cherry, strawberry, lightly smoked bacon, truffles & carnations. Overall med+ complexity on the nose. On the taste it's dry, med+ acidity, med minus tannins, long length & balanced. Cranberry, pomegranate, sour cherry, rhubarb & tobacco leaf. The nose is a lot nicer than the taste that I felt was too tart & lacked depth. Not a typical Central Otago Pinot, more like Marlborough Pinot.

Tasted: 5 May 2011.

Score: 7.5 Value: 7/10, Total; 14.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

Strewn Chardonnay Barrel Aged 2010, Niagara Peninsula

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

Positives: A very nice Chard nose showing light oak & toast, buttery popcorn, lemon & golden apple. The taste is similar to the nose with a some added spice on the medium+ finish. The taste is smooth & creamy and still maintains good acidity. This medium body Chard is easy to drink on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Points: Use an old world or cool climate style Chard glass.

Best Buy.

Tasted 6 Oct 11.

Score: 9/10, Value: 10/10, Score: 19/20.

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir 2011

Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Well this was a disappointment. Belle Glos makes some wonderful Pinot's in their higher end wines, but this entry wine for them has very little Pinot qualities & a lot of jammy sweet notes, more reminiscent of cheap California Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

Tasted: 14 Dec 12

Score: 7.5/10, Value: 5/10, Total: 13/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2

14 Hands Hot To Trot Red 2010, Washington State

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

A generic red blend that will appeal more to those that like a slight sweetness to their reds.

Positives: Although this is slightly sweet it’s not jammy. The wine features light oak, plums, black cherry cola, chocolate & ripe tamarinds. Medium to medium+ body average tannins and acidity with fairly long length.

Negatives: Too sweet for me.

Drink now on its own or pair it with BBQ chips.

Tasted: 15 May 13

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8/10 (Sale price 8.5/10) Total: 16.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5