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
La Crema Russian River Chardonnay 2014
California, Usa$39.95
Complex, balanced, juicy & delicious
Description: Bright light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, orange rind, peach, green & yellow apples, pink grapefruit, coconut, hazelnut, honeydew melon, honeysuckle on the nose and a hint of butterscotch. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it wit Tuna Tartare served with Avocado Brunoise, Sweet & Sour Sauce, White Truffle Oil and Red Caviar
Tasted: 19 November 2016
Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Martin Ray Chardonnay 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
California, Usa$22.25
Lean but suave Chard which possesses a nice balance of oak, fruit & minerality
Description: Gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, pear, red & green apples, tangerine, nutmeg, dill, light oak spice and limestone. Medium+ body with some light tannin, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Notes: Nice to see a Russian River Valley Chard for under $30 and under 14% alcohol.
Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Chicken Piccata with lemon caper sauce.
Tasted: 22 February 2016
Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
4.0 Stars
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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
Bodegas Ostatu Reserva 2008
Rioja, Spain$29.95
Complex, well balanced & simply delicious
Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This complex wine features sandalwood, blueberry, dried cherry, plum, orange zest, cola, cigar box, sage, rosemary, curried meats, Allspice and white pepper. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: Sourced from 50 year old vines, and aged in French oak for 16 months.
Drink now or in the next 15 years on its own or pair it with Spicy Sausage and Sage Lasagna.
Tasted: 30 Oct 2015
Top Pick
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Closson Chase Vineyard Chardonnay 2014, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$29.95
Tasted in 2016: A leaner citric Chard. In 2017 re: tested and much better. Flavours coming out, such as creme brûlée
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features lightly butter toasted oak, lemon, green & yellow apples, pear, dill, kumquat, kiwi, marzipan, oak spice. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: The finish has an overripe citric taste
Interesting Note: Don’t over chill this Chard as the cold will mask some of its nuances
Drink now or in 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Veal Piccata with Angel Hair and Parmigiana-Reggiano.
Tasted: 8 September 2016 and 22 October 2017
Score: (in 2016: 8.5+/10), (in 2017: 9+/10) Value: (in 2016: 8.5/10), (in 2017 price has gone down $1 : 9/10) Total: (in 2016: 17+/20) (in 2017: 18+/20)
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+ (in 2017: 4+ out of 5)
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Stellenbosch, South Africa$48.00
An expressive Cab, but on the expensive side
Description: Medium to dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine oak, blackcurrants, blackberry, plum, raspberry, turmeric, espresso, cassis, and tomato leaves. Full body with medium to medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: Touch hot from the 14.5% alcohol.
Interesting Note: A lot of information about this wine on the back label, which is nice to see.
Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Grilled Sage Rubbed Lamb Chops.
Tasted: 25 July 2017
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance price: 9/10) Total: 17/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
4.0 Stars
Marqués De Murrieta Finca Ygay Reserva 2006, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$27.95
Medium light ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
A classic Rioja Tempranillo for under $25
Positives: This wine features cedar, sandalwood, pastrami, plum, Allspice, dark cherry, dark chocolate and some leather on the finish. Medium body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with grilled lamb chops.
Tasted: 12 Sept 2013
Best Buy
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Inniskillin Winemaker's Series Montague Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$29.95
Light garnet in colour with a medium intense nose.
Positives: Sweet & tart, just like I like my Pinots: (and you thought I was going to say something else?) This Pinot features smoked cedar, cranberry, strawberry, rhubarb, cherry pie, sweet basil, cinnamon & a light earthy taste. Medium minus in body with low tannins, high acidity & a fairly long length.
Negatives: A touch too high in acidity, but still yummy.
Interesting Point: I lucked out getting this wine on sale at an LCBO store for $17.55 , and remember to lightly chill it.
Drink now on its own, however due to the higher acidity this wine will show better paired food such as duck.
Tasted: 28 Aug 12
Best Buy
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 18+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Hartford Four Hearts Vineyards Chardonnay 2009, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
California, Usa$49.95
Bright old gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.
Not for the faint at “heart”. Sorry couldn’t resist. Big, heavy, bold & utterly delicious.
Positives: This complex wine features medium+ toasted oak, vanilla, coconut, lemon meringue pie, roasted marshmallows, crème brulee, walnuts, butterscotch, pineapple, orange & tangerines. Full body with good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: The wine is unfined & unfiltered.
Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with turkey for Christmas.
Tasted: 21 Dec 2013
Top Pick
Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 19.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Château La Fleur D'arthus 2008, Ac St émilion
Bordeaux, France$30.40
Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
A fine St. Emillion featuring wet cedar, blackberries, red & black currants, licorice, graphite, spinach, radicchio, all-spice & red peppers. Medium body with high tannins & acidity with a long length.
Negatives: A little astringent now.
You will be rewarded with another 4-6 years for the wine to mature.
Tasted: 2 Sept 12
Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
4.0 Stars
(0)V