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
Estancia Reserve Pinot Noir 2009, Santa Lucia Highlands
California, Usa$27.75
Reminds me when I was a kid and eating candy apples at the EX
Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features pine, wild cherry, raspberry, nutmeg, cloves, and the nose is reminiscent of the smell of smoke from wood burning fireplaces on a crisp autumn night. Medium+ body with light tannins, good acidity, a long length and the high alcohol is well integrated.
Negatives: None
Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with grilled medium rare Wagyu striploin .
Tasted: 8 Aug 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
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Inniskillin Winemaker's Series Montague Vineyard Chardonnay 2012, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$19.75
A solid Chard that won't disappoint Chard lovers of oak influence
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, cream corn, pineapple, mango, ginger, light oak spice, butterscotch, crème brûlée and dill. Full body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: Some heat from the 14% alcohol and a touch sour on the finish
Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Cornish Hen
Tasted: 22 Dec 2014
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+ (Clearance price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
3.5 Stars
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Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut Rosé Sparkling, Traditional Method, North Coast, California
California, Usa$52.95
At the clearance price it’s worth buying it
Description: Light copper in colour with medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. A simple sparkling wine featuring yeast, brioche, cherry, wild raspberry and lemongrass. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length
Negatives: None
Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with sweet potato fries.
Tasted: 13 Aug 2014
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
Domaine Hervé Azo Beauroy Chablis 1er Cru 2011, Ac
Burgundy, France$29.95
Nicely balanced Chablis
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features lemon/lime, green apples, mandarin, grapefruit, ginger with a long chalky and limestone finish. 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 Court Bouillon-Poached Halibut.
Tasted: 23 Oct 2015
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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Ferrari Carano Chardonnay 2011, Sonoma County
California, Usa$28.95
Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
An eloquent Chard that would be well suited for a black tie affair.
Positives: This complex wine features integrated oak, lightly buttered toast, lemon, tangerine, green apple, McIntosh apple, peach, pineapple, honeydew melon, caramel, crème brũlée and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: Some heat from the 14.1% alcohol.
Interesting Point: Two different Chard glasses, two different tastes. If you use the larger glass you gain more creaminess, but loose some citric notes and vice versa with the smaller cool climate glass.
Drink now or over the next 6 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Capon with Tarragon Butter and Mango Relish.
Tasted: 26 Oct 2013
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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Artesa Chardonnay 2011, Carneros
California, Usa$24.95
Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose.
A Chard that goes better with food then by itself.
Positives: This wine has light toasted oak with lemon, green apples, mandarin, pear, some guava and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: A slight bitter aftertaste.
Interesting Point: I loved, loved, loved the 2010 vintage, unfortunately this one doesn’t measure up to that year. Use the smaller cooler climate Chard glass.
Drink now or over the next 4 years on its own or pair it with Cornish hen.
Tasted: 28 Oct 2013
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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Vergenoegd Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Wo Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch, South Africa$24.95
Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.
Well aged Cab for under $25
Positives: This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, anise, iodine, pencil shavings, dark cherry, sage, arugula and leather. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: This Cab comes from one of the oldest vineyards dating back to 1696.
Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with grilled T-bone steak.
Tasted: 28 Nov 2013
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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Ferrari Brut Sparkling, Traditional Method, Doc Trento, Italy
Alto Adige-Trentino, Italy$28.95
Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose & fine mousse.
Simply delicious! A nice balance between Champagne and Prosecco
Positives: This sparkling wine features light yeast, lemon, clementine, apple blossom, green apple, pear & wet stone. Medium body and with good acidity & a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: I was able to purchase this at the Brampton LCBO for $20.80
Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Arugula, prosciutto & Brie Panini.
Tasted: 11 February 2014
Top Pick
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5
3.5 Stars
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Gloria Ferrer Carneros Pinot Noir 2010, Carneros
California, Usa$26.95
Medium light garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
Classic Carneros Pinot with piquancy & smoothness
Positives: This wine features pine, cranberry, bramble, cherry cola, beets, cinnamon, cloves, pepper, Christmas cake with a light smoked note. Medium body with medium minus tannins, good acidity & a long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with seared Ahi Tuna.
Tasted: 24 June 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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Jean Marc Brocard Domaine Sainte Claire Chablis 2011
Burgundy, France$19.95
Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
Hard to find a great Chablis is for under $20
Positives: This complex wine features Easter lily, lemon/lime, pink grapefruit, Brie rind, Spy apple, honey, almonds and limestone. Medium body with good acidity & a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: From single vineyard "Sainte-Claire" 30 year old vines on Kimmeridgian Limestone fermented with indigenous yeast.
Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Beausoleil oysters in honey, ginger & shallot vinaigrette.
Tasted: 14 April 2014
Best Buy and Top Pick
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5+/10, Total: 19/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5
3.5 Stars
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