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 Des Demoiselles 2011, Ac Côtes De Bordeaux Castillon
Bordeaux, France$17.95
Big on substance, low on price: Can’t ask for more
Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, bramble fruit, blueberry, cherry, red & black currants, plum, coffee, thyme, peppercorn, cassis, anise, turmeric, tomato leaf, leather and railway ties on the nose. Medium to medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a very long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Serve between 16-18 Celsius
Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Gourmet Burgers made with Grass fed Prime Beef, Camembert, truffle Mayo, onion jam and tomatoes.
Tasted: 6 May 2016
Best buy & Top pick
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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Southbrook Triomphe Chardonnay 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$24.95
A balanced & elegant Ontario chard with finesse that can go up against Napa Chards priced higher
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, green & Spy apples, peach, clementine, pineapple, dill, ginger, butterscotch, oak spice, vanilla and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Organic grapes used and it’s a screw top. I was fortunate to find this wine at the clearance price, and bought the 7 bottles they had.
Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with escargot in garlic butter.
Tasted: 1 January 2016
Best Buy
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance: 10/10) Total: 18+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
3.5 Stars
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Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz 2011, Mclaren Vale
South Australia, Australia$34.95
Consistently a good solid, complex Shiraz, powerful but not jammy
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, blueberry, plums, black currants, peppercorns, eucalyptus, vanilla, Allspice, cola, espresso, tobacco leaves and cigar box. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol
Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with spicy barbecued leg of lamb with rosemary and mint sauce.
Tasted: 20 June 2015
Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale price 9/10), Total: 17.5+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
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Cono Sur Bicicleta Viognier 2014
Colchagua Valley, Chile$9.95
Still the best white for under $10
Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features honeysuckle, apricots, peach pit, orange, ginger and anise. Medium to medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: The 2014 is the best vintage I’ve tasted in Cono Sur’s Bicicleta Viognier. Taste double the price and gives you an indication what Condrieu taste like without spending $40+
Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Lionfish Ceviche
Tasted: 17 Nov 2014
Amazing Buy
Score: 9/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
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Meerlust Pinot Noir 2012
Stellenbosch, South Africa$27.95
An easy drinking savoury Pinot that should please a wide range of taste buds
Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features lightly smoked oak, bramble, strawberry, sour cherry, forest greens and a touch of spearmint. Medium to light body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: A little heat from the 14%
Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Pork cutlets served with strawberry balsamic sauce.
Tasted: 22 April 2015
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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Dry Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
California, Usa$37.95
A nice juicy, full flavoured wine
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, black cherry, raspberry, blueberry, dried thyme, cassis, anise, espresso, bell peppers, arugula, pencil shavings, turmeric and leather. Medium+ body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with thyme glazed lamb shank served with turmeric saffron and pear tomato salsa.
Tasted: 14 Nov 2014
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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Sonoma Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay 2013, Sonoma Coast
California, Usa$27.95
An elegant cool climate Chard that should please those that don’t like woody Chards
Description: Bright light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium light oak, lemon, pink grapefruit, nutmeg, Fuji apple, nectarine, oak spice and wet stone. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: I found the 2013 vintage nicer than the previous vintage, reviewed here April 2014. The winery sells the wine for $28 US, so good buy, especially at the sale price for LCBO
Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with pan-roasted stilton chicken with apple ginger sauce.
Tasted: 27 Dec 2014
Best Buy at sale price
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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Antica Masseria Jorche Primitivo Di Manduria 2011, Dop
Puglia, Italy$21.95
Good but a little one dimensional
Description: Dark purple to ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, cherry, pomegranate, figs, raisins, oregano, sage, graphite and tomato leaves. Medium+ body with high tannin, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: A little hot from the 15% alcohol
Interesting Note: Decanting for an hour. Really like the classy label
Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Rigatoni with Spicy Sausage-Tomato Sauce, Arugula and Parmesan.
Tasted: 27 February 2016
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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Louis M. Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
California, Usa$39.95
A nice Napa Cab especially at the sale price
Description: Deep bright ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, blueberry, black cherry, blackberry, oak spice, plums, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, vanilla, dark chocolate and espresso. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol
Interesting Note: I prefer the 2011 vintage, see review on my site
Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Rosemary, Chocolate, Cabernet Sauce.
Tasted: 19 Dec 2014
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+ (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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Burrowing Owl Chardonnay 2013, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$33.95
This wine transitions perfectly between warm summer days and cool nights
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon tart, green apples, tangerines, honeydew melon, peach, pine nuts, oak spice, limestone, dill, peat smoke and meringue on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Screw top
Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years, on its own or pair it with Escargot in garlic and parsley butter.
Tasted: 2 July 2016
Score: 9/10, 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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