Edward Rasiulis
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Followers (15)
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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
Fernández De Piérola Reserva 2004
Rioja, Spain$25.95
Medium minus ruby with a garnet rim in colour with a highly intense nose.
Positives: Elegant Reserva featuring sandalwood, cedar, cigar box, plums, dried cherry, incense, cloves, rosemary, leather, blackberry, hickory & earthy notes. Lots of complexity going here. Medium body, medium minus tannins, good acidity, long length & the wine is nicely balanced with only 13% alcohol.
Negatives: None.
Interesting Point: Decant this wine as there will be sediment at the bottom of the bottle. I like the classic Spanish label.
Drink now on its own or pair it with rack of lamb.
Tasted: 14 July 12
Top Pick
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 19/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Hess Collection 19 Block Cuvée 2009, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley
California, Usa$47.95
Description: Deep ruby with a medium+ intense nose.
This is an investment wine, meaning it should blossom in 5-7 years
Positives: This complex wine features cedar, cherry, plum, blackberry, blackcurrants, sage, pencil lead, turmeric, cassis, mocha, leather & spinach. Medium+ body with green tannins, good acidity & a long length.
Negatives: There’s some heat from the 14.2% alcohol
Interesting Point: Decant for an hour. This wine is worth the $10 extra over Hess’s Allomi (reviewed earlier)
Drink now or in the next 12 years on its own or pair it with Kansas City Strip steak.
Tasted: 6 May 2014
Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
3.5 Stars
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Piper Heidsieck Brut, Champagne
Champagne, France$71.45
Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose & fine mousse.
The sports car of Champagnes; fast, lean, racy & easy to drink
Positives: This complex wine features light toast & yeast, guava, honeysuckle, pear, green apples, pistachio, tobacco, melba toast & icing sugar on the finish. Light to medium body with good acidity & a long length.
Negatives: $20 more expensive in Ontario than Florida.
Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with raspberry point oysters.
Interesting Point: My wife’s go to Champagne, and if it were priced like Florida this would be a weekly staple.
Tasted: 5 January 2014
Top Pick
Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5
3.5 Stars
(1000+)G+(13)O
Mayu Reserva Carmenère 2009, Elqui Valley
Chile$17.95
Dark ruby with a medium+ intense nose.
Positives: I'm not usually a Carmenere fan because a lot out there is boring. Well this is anything but featuring cedar, bramble fruit pie, tobacco, dried fig, mesquite, spiced apple, peppers (red, black & white), truffles, plums & ripe tamarind. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity & long length.
Negatives: There's heat coming from the 15% alcohol.
Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own as a meal or pair it with venison.
Tasted: 16 June 12
Best Buy
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 19/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5
3.5 Stars
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Stags' Leap Winery Viognier 2011, Napa Valley
California, Usa$34.95
Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.
Positives: A nice Viognier that reminds me more of the Argentine Torrontes. This wine features peach, nectarine, tangerine peel, lemon, grapefruit, limestone and a touch of rosemary. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or over the next 3 years, on its own or pair it with deviled eggs.
Tasted: 10 Dec 12
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 17.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
3.5 Stars
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Landmark Overlook Chardonnay 2010, Sonoma County
California, Usa$28.25
Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.
A solid Chard with good complexity.
Positives: Lots of tropical fruit that blends well with the integrated oak. In addition, there’s sweet spice, some nuttiness, creaminess and minerality on the finish. Full body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: Slight heat from the 14.2% alcohol
Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with rotisserie Cornish hens.
Tasted: 23 Aug 2013
Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance price: 8.5+/10) Total: 17.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
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Château Tour Saint André 2010, Ac Lalande De Pomerol
Bordeaux, France$21.75
Deep ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.
For those that like classic Right Bank Bordeaux this one will not disappoint at this price.
Positives: This wine features mild oak, cherry cola, red currants, mulberry, anise, dry herbs & leather. Medium+ body, dusty tannins with good acidity & a fairly long length.
Negatives: A little more heat than expected from the 14% alcohol.
Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with prime rib.
Interesting Point: Decant for an hour
Tasted: 31 January 2014
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
3.5 Stars
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Penfolds Thomas Hyland Shiraz 2008, South Australia
Australia$21.95
Penfolds doesn't disappoint on this Shiraz. Dark ruby with med+ intensity. The nose shows plums, boysenberry, blackberry, vanilla bean, mocha, dark chocolate, smoked ham, white & red peppers. Taste is dry, med tannins, med acidity, full body, balanced & med+ length. This med+ complex wine has taste similar to the nose & you'll experience some heat from the 14.5% alcohol. Drink on its own or with grilled steak.
Tasted 11 May 11.
Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10, (bought this for $16.95 which would put it at 10/10). Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
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Beringer Chardonnay 2008, Napa Valley
California, Usa$22.95
Gold in the colour with a medium+ intensity.
Positives: Toasted oak, buttery, lemon zest, tangerines, light smokiness, roasted marshmallows, peach, cashews and limestone. Full body, good acidy and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Things: LCBO Vintage did carry this Chard.
Drink now on its own or pair it with lobster and drawn butter.
Tasted: 20 Aug 12
Best Buy
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 18.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine 4.5
3.5 Stars
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Borges Reserva 2009
Douro, Portugal$21.95
Full and rich flavour
Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, raisins, plums, blackberries, dark chocolate, forest floor, figs, champagne mushrooms and mint. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: As this wine will get better with age, I would suggest decanting for an hour.
Drink now or in the next 15 years on its own or pair it with Duck served with wild mushrooms and fig sauce.
Tasted: 28 Jan 2015
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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