Edward Rasiulis
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Following (2)
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Reviews (901)
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Certified CAPPS Sommelier since 2008. Lived in the Cayman Islands reviewing wines for under $25. Back home in Toronto, started up Twilight Wines to offer wine & spirit consultation, wine reviews, restaurant management, manage wine events and wine & glassware presentations, plus anything else with wines.
For more wine reviews by me please visit my web site at: www.twilightwines.com
Reviews
Krug Grande Cuvée Brut
Champagne, France$290.00
Distinctive, elegant, sophisticated & amazing
Description: Deep gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This complex Champagne features toasted brioche layered in Kerrygold butter followed by jellied fruits, marzipan, golden apples, hazelnuts, almonds, tangerines, barley sugar, gingerbread, honey & sweet spices. Full body with good acidity and a very long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Every Krug after 2011 has a specific ID that you can check for the bottles detail at www.krug.com. This bottle’s ID is 411048
Drink now or in the next 20 years on its own or pair it with chicken Brûlée Pâté
Tasted: 4 Dec 2014 (My 6th Year Wedding Anniversary)
Top Pick
Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 19/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Joseph Phelps Insignia 2005, Napa Valley
California, Usa$318.99
Probably the best red wine I’ve ever tasted
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense. This complex wine features cedar, blackberry, black cherry, plums, butter toffee, sea grape, caramel, medjool dates, cinnamon, cloves, cocoa, espresso & Cherry Bonbon pipe tobacco throughout. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a very long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with rib-eye steak from Mario’s; The Tasting Room and my wife’s grilled peppers, green beans and mushrooms
Thanks to Roberto from Blackbeard’s for suggesting it
Top Pick
Tasted: 12 March 2015 (HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY TO ME!)
Score: 10/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 19.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5
4.5 Stars
(0)
Concha Y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Maipo Valley, Chile$80.25
High quality Cab at half the price of a comparable Napa Cab
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, blueberry, plum, blackcurrants, Allspice, cassis, espresso, eucalyptus, pepper, pencil shavings and cigar box. Medium+ body with crisp acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Herb Garlic and Black Pepper Crusted Kansas City cut strip steak.
Tasted: 10 March 2016
Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 19/20
Top Pick
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+
4.5 Stars
Hutcheson Colheita Port 1999, Doc Douro, Matured In Wood, Btld. 2010
Portugal$29.95
This is pure unadulterated pleasure, and one of my highiest rated wines. Vibrant golden brown with garnet, light+ intensity. Figs, dates, almonds, toffy & raisins predominate on the nose. Silky smooth taste. Dates, mocha, chocolate, wood spice, almonds, some orange peel & figs on taste, as well as woodspice and toffy. I love having this with chilled black chocolate with almonds. For under $30 for 12 yr old is very nice & makes it a Top Pick. Good complexity on nose & taste.
Top Pick
Tasted: 27 Aug 11
Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19.5+/10
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Pahlmeyer Chardonnay 2009, Napa Valley
California, Usa$116.95
Lemon gold in colour with medium to medium intensity in the nose.
Positives: Wow! The taste just keep coming in waves. Medium toasted oak with lots of butter, butterscotch, lemon meringue pie, apple, ginger, limestone, peach, mango, tangerine, pineapple, Jicama, naseberry & lemon grass on the finish. The wine is highly complex, full body, good acidity & long length.
Negatives: High alcohol.
Interesting Things: This is my wife's wine of choice for our New Years Eve dinner & wholeheartedly agree.
Drink now or cellar it for another 5-7 years. Drink on its own or pair it with roasted hens.
Tasted: 31 Dec 11
Top Pick
Score: 9.5/10, Value: 8/10, Score: 17.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Beronia Gran Reserva 2006
Rioja, Spain$40.00
Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.
This is reminiscent of the smell of smoke from wood burning fireplaces while on an evening walk.
Positives: This complex wine features cedar, sandalwood, plum, figs, dark cherry, cinnamon, cloves, mocha, vanilla, coconut, rosemary, sage, blueberry, mulberry and pipe tobacco. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Very youthful for a Gran Reserva
Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with rack of lamb.
Tasted: 3 April 2014
Top Pick
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 19.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Perrier Jouët Grand Brut Champagne, A.C.
Champagne, France$86.95
Creamy, rich, smooth with finesse
Description: Pale straw in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This complex Champagne features light yeast, brioche, lemon, grapefruit, ginger, croissant, Swiss Chard, dill, limestone and Easter Lily on the nose . Full body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or in the next 10-15 years on its own or pair it with Brie on white cheddar & rosemary flavoured crackers.
Tasted: 4 Dec 2015 (Celebrating our 7th Wedding Anniversary)
Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
4.0 Stars
(363)G
Taittinger Brut Réserve Champagne
Champagne, France$76.40
Delicious Champagne elegance
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, brioche, lemon, green apple, persimmon, white peach, pear, honeydew melon, honeycomb, almonds, and honeysuckle on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: One of the best values for higher end Champagnes and celebrated this fine Champagne today for getting my first hole-in-one in golf.
Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Truffle Risotto topped with grated fresh Parmesano-Reggiano.
Tasted: 28 November 2016
Top Pick
Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 19/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5
4.0 Stars
(1000+)G
Cave Spring Estate Blanc De Blancs, VQA Beamsville Bench
Ontario, Canada$32.95
Bright gold in colour with fine mousse & medium+ intensity on the nose.
Positives: A simply delightful sparkling that I could just drink everyday. Features lemon, green apple, brioche, some yeast, baked apples, Anjou pear, mandarin & limestone. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: I was able to pick up this sparkling at clearance price at LCBO in Brampton for $20.80, which would make this a Best Buy & a Top Pick.
Drink now on its own or pair it with arugula & prosciutto pizza.
Tasted: 18 Nov 12 (congrats to the Argos in making it to the Grey Cup, which I'll be seeing them there ) If they win I'll drink another of this sparkling to celebrate)
Top Pick
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 18.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5
4.0 Stars
(1000+)E
Joseph Phelps Sauvignon Blanc 2009, St. Helena, Napa Valley
California, Usa$37.95
Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
One of the best Sauvignon Blancs I have ever tried.
Positives: This complex wine features mild oak, lemon-lime, kumquat, peach, gherkins, honeydew, white flowers, Asian pear and clarified butter on the finish. Full body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: Not your typical Sauvignon Blanc, which for me is a good thing.
Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with cherry/grape tomatoes with basil and Bufala mozzarella on a bed of arugula.
Tasted: 15 Nov 2013
Top Pick
Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 19/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+
4.0 Stars