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
Clos Du Bois Marlstone 2010, Alexander Valley
California, Usa$49.95
A solid well balanced California Bordeaux style wine
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, blackberry, dark cherry, eucalyptus, blackcurrant, licorice, anise, cassis, plums, cocoa, dates, leather, arugula and tobacco leaf. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: A little heat from the 14.5% alcohol.
Interesting Point: I confess I bought the wine because I liked the sophisticated label. Looked expensive and at $24.95, I figured why not. Yes, the store had confused the lesser Clos Du Bois Sonoma Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon that was priced at $24.95 with the Marlstone. Their loss my gain. Decanting for 30 min will smooth the wine out.
Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or and pair it with Bison.
Tasted: 22 July 2014
Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Mckinley Springs Syrah 2006, Horse Heaven Hills
Washington, Usa$27.95
Description: Opaque in colour with medium+ intense nose
Positives: Simply delicious, one of my favourite Syrah’s in a long time. A complex wine featuring cedar, sizzling bacon, boysenberry, ripe tamarinds, cinnamon, sage, oregano, anise, dark cherry, dark chocolates, prunes, arugula and lots of peppers and peppercorn. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: A touch hot due to the 14.9% alcohol
Drink now or over the next 5 years and pair it with Brisket.
Tasted: 2 Mar 13
Top Pick
Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 19/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+
3.5 Stars
(0)V
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
(0)V
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
(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
(0)V
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
(0)V
Piper Heidsieck Brut, Champagne
Champagne, France$72.00
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+(5)O
Blue Mountain Gold Label Brut Sparkling, Traditional Method, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
British Columbia, Canada$29.25
Gold with a touch if copper in colour with medium intensity & fine mousse. This sparkling smells & taste like fine Champagne, but at least half the price & it's Canadian! This sparkling shows notes of baked apple, yeast, pine nuts, brioche, lemon and lime stone.
Tasted 5 Aug 11
Top Pick
Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 19/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Jansz Premium Sparkling Rosé, Traditional Method, Tasmania
Tasmania, Australia$28.95
Pale salmon in colour with fine mousse & medium+ intensity on the nose.
Positives: If I tried this sparkling blind I would have said that’s it’s made in the classic champagne method. The wine features toasty brioche, strawberry, apple crumble pie, pink grapefruit, lemon, orange rind & limestone. Medium body with good acidly & fairly long length.
Negatives: Some sour notes on the finish. Drink now on its own or pair it with cheese & tomato omelette.
Tasted: 29 Apr 12
Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Joseph Drouhin Pouilly Fuissé 2012
Burgundy, France$29.95
Not a complex wine, but what it has to offer is very good
Description: Light gold colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak with oak spice, green and yellow apple, lemon tart, and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with lobster and drawn butter.
Tasted: 5 Aug 2014
Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 10/10) Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
(0)G