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
Tignanello 2010, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$102.95
An elegant wine just don’t think it’s worth the price
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. The wine features cedar, sour cherry, red currants, pimento, tobacco leaves, plum and sandalwood. Medium with medium+ tannins, high acidity with long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Needs several hours to decant
Drink now or in the next 15 years on its own or pair it with flank steak and roasted peppers
Tasted: 18 Sept 2014
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 17/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Perrier-jouët Grand Brut Champagne, A.C.
Champagne, France$87.50
Creamy, rich, smooth with finesse
Description: Pale straw in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This complex Champagne features light yeast, brioche, lemon, grapefruit, ginger, croissant, Swiss Chard, dill, limestone and Easter Lily on the nose . Full body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or in the next 10-15 years on its own or pair it with Brie on white cheddar & rosemary flavoured crackers.
Tasted: 4 Dec 2015 (Celebrating our 7th Wedding Anniversary)
Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
4.0 Stars
(911)G+(30)O
Borges Vintage Port 2007, Doc Douro, Btld. 2009
Douro, Portugal$22.25
Description: Opaque ruby to purple in colour with medium intense nose.
Positives: I challenge anyone to bring me a vintage Port of good quality for under $30 let alone for under $50, but Borges succeeds. This Port is silky smooth and not like your typical vintage Ports that are heavy, sweet, and deep in the dates and nut flavour profile. This one has a lot of California Pinot qualities such as Pine, rhubarb, dark cherry, violets, cinnamon & raspberry. In addition, cloves, nutmeg, anise, plums and graphite. Full body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None.
Interesting Point: The presentation is second to none, as the bottle is clothed in white tissue paper and in cased in a beautiful box. Perfect to give as a gift
Drink now or over the next 15 years as an apéritif or digestif.
Tasted: 24 Jan 13
Score: 9.5/10, Value:10/10, Total: 19.5/10
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Château Des Charmes Equuleus Paul Bosc Estate Vineyards 2010, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$30.00
Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.
One of my favourite from Des Charmes, but even better that it's at $30
Positives: This complex wine features cedar, blackcurrants, plums, dark cherry, raspberry, red & black peppers, turmeric, Allspice, mocha & leather. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity & a long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with braised beef shank.
Tasted: 31 March 2014
Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance Price: 9/10), Total: 17.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Groth Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Oakville, Napa Valley
California, Usa$74.95
Deep dark venous red in colour with a medium+ nose.
The nose is to die for. I could just sniff this all day long.
Positives: A complex Cab, and it should be for the money. Featuring cedar, blackcurrants, blackberry, star anise, turmeric, leather, plum, black cherry, blueberry, dark chocolate, mocha, and Allspice. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: A touch hot from the 14.5% alcohol.
Interesting Notes: Thanks Carol Ann, from WineAlign, for the opportunity to taste this.
Drink now on or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with grilled tenderloin steak.
Tasted: 17 May 13
Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Norman Hardie Niagara Unfiltered Chardonnay 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$39.20
One of Ontario’s best Chards
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features buttered toast, oak, lemon, green apple, pineapple, nectarine, peach, cashews, dill, ginger, butterscotch and peat smoke on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Priced on the higher end, but well worth it.
Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Sauteed Chilean Sea Bass with Ginger Poached Pears.
Tasted: 3 December 2016
Top Pick
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9+/10) Total: 18+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Dutton-goldfield Dutton Ranch Chardonnay 2012, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
California, Usa$47.25
You’re paying for what you’re getting, an excellent California Chard
Description: Bright yellow gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features medium toast, lemon, green and red apples, peach, pineapple, mango, nutmeg, butterscotch, coconut, pine, dill, ginger, vanilla, oak spice and smoked roasted walnuts on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Don’t over chill the wine as it will mute all its favours. Love the fact that the wine is plush & full body while being 13.5% alcohol.
Drink now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Sea Bass with Sizzled Ginger, Chilli and Spring Onions.
Tasted: 22 October 2016
Top Pick
Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18.9/20
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2014
Marlborough, New Zealand$38.95
Champagne without the bubbles
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, yeast, lemon, lime, kiwi, peach, pear, apricot, ginger, dill, smoked almonds and peat moss on the nose. Full body with light tannin, good acidity and a very long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Don't over chill, and use the larger Montrachet style stemware
Drink now or in the next 5-10 of years on its own or pair it with Oven Poached Pacific Sole with Lemon Caper Butter Sauce.
Tasted: 22 April 2017
Top Pick
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 9.5), Total: 18+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Muga Reserva 2012
Rioja, Spain$26.95
Elegant, lighter style of Rioja
Description: Deep, dark almost opaque ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features sandalwood, plum, strawberry, blackberry, vanilla, leather and fresh cut carnations on the nose. Medium body with medium+ tannin, , good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Priced on the higher end, but well worth it.
Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Sage Cornish Game Hens with Pomegranate Molasses.
Tasted: 10 December 2016
Best Buy
Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9+/10) Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Yalumba Viognier 2013, Eden Valley, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$24.95
Smooth, rich, elegant & so beautiful
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This complex wine features orange blossom, honeydew melon, orange, apricot, guava and white pepper. Medium+ body and with good acidity and a very long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: Best non Condrieu Viognier I’ve had. Far superior in every sense than Yalumba’s Y Series Viognier (see my previous review).
Drink now or in the next 10 of years on its own or pair it with Spicy Honey Glazed BBQ Chicken with Crispy Sweet Potato Fries.
Tasted: 31 Aug 2015
Top Pick & Best Buy
Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 19/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5
4.0 Stars
(0)V