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
Château Haut Selve 2012, Ac Graves
Bordeaux, France$24.95
A lighter style of Graves, but not light on flavour
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackcurrant, plum, bramble fruit, dried herbs, and peat moss on the nose. Medium+ body and tannin, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or in 7-10 years on its own or pair it with Fire Roasted Veal Chop with Maple Glaze.
Tasted: 28 October 2016
Best buy
Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Vieni Classic Brut 2013, Vinemount Ridge
Ontario, Canada$22.95
Crisp & dry with complexity
Description: Straw with bronze tinge in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features yeast, lemon, green apples, pear, Honeydew Melon, Brazilian nuts, ginger, rose petals on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Champagne grapes but made in Charmat method.
Thanks to Suzy who was a gracious host to me at the winery.
Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Pistachio-Crusted Scallops served with Linguine and olive oil garlic sauce.
Tasted: 2 July 2017
Best Buy
Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9+/10) Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
St Francis Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
California, Usa$34.95
Solid California Cab for under $30
Description: Deep, dark almost opaque ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, ripe blackcurrants, plum, blackberry, tar, tobacco, tomato leaf, dark chocolate and violets on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: A touch of heat from the 14.8% alcohol
Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Beef Brochette with Taleggio and Spicy Chocolate Sauce.
Tasted: 9 December 2016
Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9.5+/10) Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
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Malivoire Chardonnay 2014, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$19.95
Tangy & bright with a nice balance of the oak
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features mild toasted oak, lemon, yellow apple, pineapple, clementine, honeydew melon, pear, dill and butterscotch. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Aged Cheddar Fondue with Grilled Tomatoes, Bacon and Shallots.
Tasted: 2 December 2016
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
3.5 Stars
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Château Bonnin Pichon 2014, Ac Lussac St émilion
Bordeaux, France$20.95
Classic nuances of the right bank Bordeaux, but it’s affordable
Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, plum, blackberry, cassis, anise, black & red peppers, nutmeg and purple lilacs on the nose. Medium+ body and tannin with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Like the classic label.
Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Beef Wellington with Spinach and Artichoke.
Tasted: 23 March 2017
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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Invivo Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014
Central Otago, New Zealand$24.95
Lots of flavours & substance for a good price
Description: Medium ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, black cherry, cranberry, cloves, vanilla and peat moss on the nose. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Use the Pinot, balloon glass, and chill to 15C
Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Pot Roasted Guinea Fowl with Sage and Orange.
Tasted: 1 April 2017
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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Powers Columbia Valley Viognier 2015, Talcott Vineyard, Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley
Washington, Usa$17.95
Deliciously expressing the Viognier grape at an excellent price
Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features peach, pear, lemon tart, apricot, Fuji apples, Honeydew melon, clementine, honey and peach pit on the finish. Medium+ body and tannin with good acidity and a good length.
Interesting Note: Don’t over chill this wine or you’ll loose its complexity.
Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Veal Piccata with Parsley and Capers.
Tasted: 7 July 2017
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 18.5/20
Best Buy
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
3.5 Stars
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Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
California, Usa$32.95
Classic Alexander Valley Cab, but alcohol tries to overwhelm the fruit flavours
Description: Deep ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, dark cherry, plum, raspberry, black currants, boysenberry, cinnamon, cloves, smoked, turmeric, pencil shavings, leather and purple lilac on the nose. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and long length.
Negatives: Too much heat from the 14.5% alcohol
Interesting Note: Previous vintage that I reviewed was the 2012, which was far superior to the 2014.
Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with London Broil drizzled with Onion Marmalade .
Tasted: 28 February 2017
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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13th Street Cuvee Rosé Brut, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$29.95
A rustic rosé sparkling wine that has underlying charm.
Description: Rustic brick red in colour with a medium intense nose. This sparkling wine features light yeast, strawberry, McIntosh apples, truffles and forest greens. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Originally tasted in 2014, and this batch is better.
Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Mushroom and Prosciutto, Asparagus and Brie Tartines.
Tasted: 14 February 2016 (Happy Valentines Day)
Best Buy
Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
3.5 Stars
(1000+)W+(11)O
Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Aconcagua Valley
Aconcagua Valley, Chile$19.05
“Danger Will Robinson!” So smooth & delicious that’s it’s easy to drink 2 bottles
Description: Medium+ ruby with a hint of garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine for under $20 wine features cedar, violets, black and red currants, cherry, blueberry, plum, cassis, turmeric, mocha, light graphite and leather. Medium+ body with smooth tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: Always a solid wine for under $20, but this is the best vintage that I have tried to date.
Drink now or in the next 5 year on its own or pair it with oxtail stew.
Tasted: 3 Aug 2014
Best Buy
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale: 9.5)Total: 18+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
3.5 Stars
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