Edward Rasiulis

The Paring Pinot Noir 2008

Description: Med garnet, med+ intensity on the nose. A lot going on with rhubarb, cranberry, strawberry, pine, allspice, violets & earth tones. On the palate, dry, soft tannins, med+ acidity, med- weight, balanced, long length. Rhubarb, cranberry, strawberry, pomegranate, cherry, suede, pine & light earth tones. Complex wine, good quality. Food friendly or drink on it's own. Compliments turkey well. Score: 9+/10, value: 8+/10, Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Tasted: 8 April 2011

Prevedello Asolo Superiore Extra Dry Prosecco 2010, Docg, Veneto, Italy

Medium straw in colour with good mousse & medium intensity.

Positives: Notes of peach, wild flowers, honeydew melon, baked apples, lemon rind, tangerine & yeast taste on the finish. Overall one of the more complex Proseccos I've tasted. Medium to medium+ body, good acidity & long length.

Negatives: Some might not like the yeastiness on the finish.

Interesting Thing: I wouldn't use this Prosecco to make Bellinis due to the complexity of the wine. It would be a waste of this fine sparkling.

Drink now on its own or pair it with calamari.

Tasted: 28 Jan 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Coyote's Run Red Paw Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula

Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: A lighter old world style Pinot featuring a nice balance between fruit and earthiness. Light pine and violets, cranberry, champagne mushrooms, strawberry, cinnamon, some cherry pipe tobacco and thyme. Light body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with pâté.

Tasted: 1 Jan 13. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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

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

Baron De Ley Rosado 2010, Doca Rioja

Salmon in colour with a medium minus nose.

Positives: This is yummy. The nose is muted so I wasn't expecting too much, but then I tasted it & wow. It was like those candies that have a fruit explosion once you crack the hard outer layer. Lots of strawberry with Macintosh apples, cranberry, cherry & some wet stone. Slightly off dry, medium body with good acidity, long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: This is a great summer wine.

Drink on its own or pair it with grilled pork chop stuffed with sun dried tomatoes.

Tasted: 25 Mar 12

Best Buy

Score:9+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

D'arenberg The Galvo Garage 2007, Mclaren Vale/Adelaide Hills, South Australia

Opaque ruby in colour with a highly intense nose.

Positives: Lots of flavours happening in this wine. Cedar, Ribena, cherry cola, prunes, raisins, menthol, leather, pencil shavings, turmeric, red & black pepper, all-spice, cassis, star anise, cinnamon & cloves. Full body, medium+ tannins and acidity with a long length.

Negatives: There is some heat from the 14.5% alcohol.

Interesting Point: LCBO has this wine on clearance now, from 29.95 to 24.90. The 07 is not as good as the 06, but with the new price its definitely worth the buy.

Drink now on its own or pair it with venison.

Tasted 28 Oct 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Top Bench White 2009, VQA

A blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay & 10% gewürztraminer with the Chard part aged sur lie in French & American for a year. Medium straw in colour with medium intensity. Gooseberry, light oak, lemon/lime, some fresh cut grass notes, apple, peach & melon. The taste is dry, medium acidity, medium minus body, medium length & balanced. The taste is more expressive than the nose elevating its notes to a higher level. Drink now on its own or with edamame.

Tasted 20 Aug 11.

Best Buy.

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Fuzion Alta Torrontés Pinot Grigio 2010, Mendoza

Medium straw colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Beautiful floral nose featuring jasmine, lemon, apple, pineapple, peach & apricot. The taste shows guava, peach pit, chalk, lemon, grapefruit & green apple.

Negatives: Taste falls short in comparison to what the nose has to offer. Lots of sourness on the taste.

Drink now & pair it with mild white fish.

Tasted: 29 May 2012

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3