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
Luis Felipe Edwards L F E 900 Single Vineyard Blend 2012
Central Valley, Chile$24.75
From the bottle to the wine, this wine feels & taste expensive, but isn’t!
Description: Deep purple to ruby in colour with a high intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, dark cherry, raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, eucalyptus, espresso, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, tobacco leaves, oregano, sage and violets on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: Some heat coming from the 14.5% alcohol
Interesting Note: The vineyards that yield this wine are located 900 meters above sea level thus the name.
Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Seared Rosemary Mint Lamb Chops.
Tasted: 15 April 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+
4.0 Stars
(0)V
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
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
Baron-fuenté Grand Cépages Chardonnay Champagne, Ac
Champagne, France$57.75
This Blanc de Blanc not for the faint at heart
Description: Bright gold in colour with an intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features toasted oak, brioche, yeast, lemon zest, green & yellow apples, pear, pink grapefruit, lime, ginger, cardamom, salted almonds and fresh cut carnations. Full body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Thanks to my wife for this Champagne for my birthday
Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Raspberry Point Oysters.
Tasted: 12 March 2017
Top Pick
Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale Price: 9/10), Total: 18/20
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
(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
Bishop'S Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Paso Robles
California, Usa$25.95
Medium dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose.
This is produced more in the Australian Barossa Cab style.
Positives: This is a softer style cab featuring light cedar, bramble pie, blackberry, blueberry, ripe tamarinds, plums, dark cherry, mocha, black pepper, light tar and menthol. Medium+ body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity a fairly length.
Negatives: A touch sweet for me.
Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with peppercorn steak.
Tasted: 13 June 13
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz 2008, Barossa Valley,
South Australia, Australia$24.95
Description: Veinous in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.
Positives: There's a lot going here in this complex wine. Violets, cedar, spices, blackberries, coffee, plums, anise, dark chocolate, menthol, smoked bacon, roasted red peppers and sawdust. Full body, medium tannins, good acidity with long length and the high alcohol is well integrated.
Negatives: None
This wine is a meal on itself, but will also pair nicely with a medium rare T-bone steak. Drink now or cellar for another 5 years.
Tasted: 25 Feb 12
Best Buy
Score: 9+/10, Value:9+/10, Total: 18.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
4.0 Stars
(0)
Château Saint-roch De Laurens 2007, Ac Faugères
Languedoc, France$18.95
Dark ruby in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.
Positives: Classic Faugères notes of cassis, licorice & leather. But it doesn't stop there. You'll also find tamarind, raspberry, plum, cherry, red currants & arugula. Medium+ body, tannins & acidity with a very long finish.
Negatives: Found it a little watery.
Interesting Note: Hard to find Faugères at the LCBO.
Drink now on its own or enjoy it with rack of lamb.
Tasted: 5 Mar 12
Best Buy
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 19/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5
4.0 Stars
(0)V