Edward Rasiulis
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Following (2)
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Reviews (900)
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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
Clos De Gat Ayalon Valley 2007, Judean Hills, Unfined & Unfiltered
Israel, World$35.95
Funky nose but the taste delivers
Description: Medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, plum, blackcurrants, anise, Portobello mushrooms, soy sauce, dried thyme, leather, tomato leaves and burnt rubber on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Wine is unfined and unfiltered. I Would definitely try this wine again but in a younger vintage.
Drink now as it’s past its prime. Drink on its own or pair it with Wild Mushroom Pizza with Rosemary and Caramelized Onions.
Tasted: 3 April 2017
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 17+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
3.5 Stars
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Le Clos Jordanne Claystone Terrace Chardonnay 2008
Ontario, Canada$40.00
Rich gold in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.
Positive: A complex wine featuring medium toasted oak, buttery cheddar croissant, lime, musky wood spice, butterscotch, pecans, apricots, quince & limestone. Medium+ body, good acidity, alcohol is well integrated & long length.
Negatives: A little bitterness on the finish.
Interesting Point: I recommend the larger Chard glass as it cuts the bitterness that a smaller glass will accentuate. I lucked out & bought this wine at LCBO for $28.05.
Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or paired with surf & turf.
Tasted: 11 May 12
Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (on sale: 9+/10), Score: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
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Benmarco Malbec 2012
Mendoza, Argentina$18.95
Deep ruby to purple in colour with a medium+ intense nose.
The taste is full, juicy, delicious & all for under $20
Positives: This wine features light oak, blackberry, prunes, dates, licorice, mocha and mesquite. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a fairly long length.
Negatives: The nose is somewhat mute and watery
Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with grilled lamb chops.
Tasted: 28 April 2014
Best Buy
Score: 9/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
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The Paring Red 2006, Santa Ynez Valley
California, Usa$30.25
Opaque inky ruby colour, med+ intensity, I can smell the vapors of alcohol. Cedar, cassis, blackberry, menthol, basil, cigar box. High complexity showing warm climate style. Taste has med+ tannins, med acid, balanced, full body, with high alcohol. Taste is mild compared to the nose. Cedar, black currants, some cranberry, leather notes, twiggy, spinach which gives it a bit of a green bite. Not worth the price. Score: 7, Value: 4, Total: 11/20 After being opened up for 2hrs, the nose is more fragrant with carnations & blueberry pie. On taste it was still linear, but does open up with mulberry & dark cherry. The spinach turns more to artichoke. Long finish. Score improves a bit, 7.5. Nose is 9.5
3.5 Stars
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Estate Hatzimichalis Chardonnay 2010
Greece$14.95
Medium gold with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
Positives: A nice easy drinking Chard featuring light oak, lemon/lime, lemon curd, dill, green & yellow apples and limestone. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.
Negatives: A tad sour on the finish.
Drink now on its own or pair it with lemon pepper catfish.
Tasted: 19 Dec 12
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 17.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
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Château La Bienfaisance 2010, Ac St Emilion Grand Cru
Bordeaux, France$39.95
An enjoyable wine, not sure I would pay the full price for it, but I might think twice when I try it again in 5 years
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, blackcurrants, mulberries, plums, Allspice, licorice, green twigs and leather. Medium to medium+ body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: Some heat coming from the 14% alcohol
Interesting Note:
Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with roasted venison tenderloin.
Tasted: 27 Sept 2014
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance price: 8.5+/10), Total: 17+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
3.5 Stars
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Rustenberg Chardonnay 2011, Wo Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch, South Africa$19.95
Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
A quality Chard that is under $25.
Positives: This wine features well-integrated oak, lightly buttered toast, lemon, peach, pineapple, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Full body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: Use the larger new World Chardonnay glass.
Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with seared scallops wrapped in bacon.
Tasted: 15 Aug 2013
Best Buy
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
3.5 Stars
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Château Montus Madiran 2006, Ac Madiran
Southwest, France$34.95
Deep dark ruby with a hint of garnet on the colour & medium+ intensity on the nose.
Positives: A complex & higher end wine from the South of France. Notes of cedar, blackberry, dark cherry, mulberry, raspberry, macintosh apple, leather, pencil shaving, turmeric, all spice, arugula & radicchio on the finish. Full body, medium+ tannins, good acidity, long length & alcohol is well integrated.
Negatives: A little astringent & thus needs time to age.
If you're drinking this now, decanter for 2 hours & pair it with medium rare steak.
Tasted: 11 Mar 12
Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Score: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
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Tar & Roses Tempranillo 2011, Heathcote/Alpine Valleys
Victoria, Australia$15.25
Medium to light ruby with a touch of garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
A nice surprise having a Tempranillo from Australia that tastes like it was from Spain.
Positives: This wine features cedar, sandalwood, lots of sour cherry, blackberry, licorice, rose petals, cloves, rosemary and sage. Medium body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or over the 5 next years on its own or pair it with grilled lamb chops.
Tasted: 6 Sept 2013
Best Buy
Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
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Burrowing Owl Merlot 2010, VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$39.95
Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
Positive Notes: This merlot has nice juicy flavor featuring raspberry, plums, dark chocolate, thyme, sweet basil and vanilla. Full body with medium to Medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.
Negatives: A touch hot on the taste
Drink now on its own or over the next 5 years and pair it with beef Bourguignon.
Tasted: 13 June 13
Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 7.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
3.5 Stars
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