Edward Rasiulis
|
Followers (15)
|
|
|
Following (2)
|
Reviews (900)
|
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
Domaine Eden Chardonnay 2009, Santa Cruz Mountains
California, Usa$20.75
Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.
Even at the clearance price it’s still over priced for the quality.
Positives: This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, apricots, peach and limestone Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: Burnt butter and overly fermented citrus notes.
Interesting Point: I like the colonial style label.
Drink now or over the next year on its own or pair it with seared garlic and butter scampi.
Tasted: 23 Aug 2013
Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8/10 (Clearance price: 8.5/10) Total: 16.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Ribera Del Duero Crianza Pesquera 2009
Ribera Del Duero, Spain$26.95
Deep ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.
This will only please a discernable few.
Positives: Heavy into the tertiary tasting field with oak, mushroom, underbrush, espresso, thyme, with black olives, dark cherry, sour cherry & black currants. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: A touch hot from the 14% alcohol.
Interesting Note: I like the Spanish bottle and label.
Drink now or over the next 5 years with food such as the Spanish dish Pringá.
Tasted: 20 May 13
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance price 8.5+/10) Total: 17+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Sonoma County
California, Usa$39.95
Dark, almost opaque ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.
Positives: Lots of flavour on both the nose & taste showing cedar, cassis, plums, cloves, blueberries, blackberries, tobacco leaves, sage, leather, pencil shavings & turmeric. Full body, medium+ tannins, good acidity & long length.
Negatives: A touch hot from the high alcohol.
Interesting Points: See my review of the 2009 Knights Valley on 23 May 12 and compare the two.
Drink now or cellar it for another 7 years, and pair it with grilled tenderloin steak.
Tasted: 5 Jan 13
Score: 9/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 18+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Noval Fine Tawny Port
Douro, Portugal$8.85
Medium to dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.
A well balanced & smooth Tawny/port for under $20 that you can describe as either a lighter style port or a more red fruit tawny
Positives: This wine features dried figs, Christmas cake, maraschino cherry in dark chocolate, Kirsch and roasted almonds. Full body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or cellar it for 5 years and drink on its own or pair it with Chris De La Rosa’s, via Go Cooking, Guinness Ice Cream.
Tasted: 26 Nov 2013
Best Buy
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
(0)G
Gann Chardonnay 2007, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
California, Usa$22.25
Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
Quality wine that is well balanced at a reasonable price, and a best buy if you can get it at the clearance price.
Positives: This wine features well-integrated oak, mild toast, caramel, lemon, peach, pineapple, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: A slight burnt sugar taste on the finish.
Drink now or over the next year on its own or pair it with lobster with drawn butter.
Tasted: 28 Aug2013
Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price: 9/10) Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Château La Fleur Jonquet 2009, Ac Graves
Bordeaux, France$15.25
Medium to medium+ garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.
Juicy and smooth, drink on its own or pair it with food. Best Buy especially at the clearance price.
Positives: This wine features well-integrated oak, smoked meat, blackberry, mulberry, dark cherry, blueberry, oregano, turmeric, leather and graphite. Medium to medium+ body and tannin's with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with rib eye steak.
Tasted: 3 Aug 2013
Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Hill Smith Estate Chardonnay 2010, Eden Valley, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$14.95
Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
A nice cool climate Chard from Aussy land that has the right balance of fruit, oak, alcohol and price
Positives: This wine features light oak, lemon-lime, honeydew melon, pear, green apple, & limestone. Medium minus body and with good acidity & a long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Waldorf Salad.
Interesting Point: I like seeing an Aussy Chard fermented in oak, but have only 13% alcohol.
Tasted: 5 February 2014
Best Buy
Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance Price 9.5/10) Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Treana Red 2009, Paso Robles
California, Usa$39.95
Description: Medium to medium+ ruby in colour with medium+ intensity.
Positives: You’re getting true value for your money in this wine. A delicious wine featuring oak, black cherry, plums, anise, black and white pepper, turmeric, graphite, pipe tobacco and sage. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: A little heat from the 15% alcohol.
Interesting Points: 1. Treana is Latin meaning the 3 elements of water, sun & soil. 2. I like the early Californian Spanish American label, and what’s interesting Méliza reports that the British aren’t too fancy about it. 3. In Vintages now.
Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with a T-bone steak, medium rare.
Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 17.5+/20
Out of 5 Stars I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Henry Of Pelham Estate Chardonnay 2011, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$19.95
Cool climate chard that's a touch too oaky
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak spice, lime, sour orange, green apples, lemon rind and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: A touch too sour on the finish
Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Kimchi with braised short ribs
Tasted: 23 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
(0)V
Schug Pinot Noir 2009, Carneros
California, Usa$36.99
Description: Light ruby in colour with medium+ intense nose.
One word: Delicious
Positives: Pine, lavender, violets, rhubarb, cranberry, sour cherry, red currant, & boysenberry. Medium minus in body with low tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with lavender & pepper spiced French cut pork chops.
Tasted: 18 Mar 13
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
3.5 Stars
(0)