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
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
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
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
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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Domdechant Werner Hocheimer Kirchenstueck Riesling Auslese 2003, Prädikatswein
Rheingau, Germany$23.65
Bright gold in colour with a medium minus intensity on the nose.
Positives: Dried apricot, mango, beeswax, honey, peach compote, lemon/lime candy, nutmeg & tangerine. Medium sweet, medium+ body with medium acidity, long length & low alcohol.
Negatives: None.
Interesting Points: It's unusual to find Riesling with this somewhat muted nose. If you like aged Riesling but don't like the classic petrol note, this wine is for you. Be careful when drinking this wine as you can easily drink a bottle very quickly so I suggest you get 2 bottles. Make sure you don't over chill it to get the most out of what this wine has to offer.
Drink two bottles on its own or pair it with jerk pork & chicken.
Tasted: 14 April 12
Top Pick
Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 19/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Coonawarra, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$29.95
Description: Deep ruby with a garnet tinge and medium+ intense nose.
Positives: A solid Cab showing cedar, blackberry, eucalyptus, olives, blackcurrant, coffee, spinach, graphite, leather, turmeric, green tea and tamarind. Full body with green tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: Slightly on the green side and too astringent for me. Needs time to mature.
Drink now, but pair it with a protein dish. Better to age this for another 5-7 years.
Tasted: 27 Jan 13
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 117+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Henriot Souverain Brut Champagne, Ac
Champagne, France$64.99
Deep straw in colour, a medium to medium+ intense nose with fine mousse.
This may be my new favourite Champagne
Positives: This complex smooth Champagne features medium toasted crostini, brioche, yeast, white flowers, lemon zest, orange, Anjou pears, green and yellow apples, ginger, honey and toasted almonds. Medium+ body with good acidity & a long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or in the next 5 years and pair it with caprese salad made with Mozzarella di Bufala.
Tasted: 28 May 2014
Top Pick
Score: 10/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 19+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5
4.0 Stars
Glen Carlou Petit Verdot/Tannat 2009
Paarl, South Africa$14.75
Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.
Reminds me of Hubba Bubba grape gum
Positives: This wine features cedar, prunes, dark cherry, raspberry, hickory, iodine, cocoa, eucalyptus, pepper and licorice. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.
Negatives: Lots of heat from the 14.5% alcohol
Interesting Note: If you have a cold, inhale this, as it will clear your nasal passages.
Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with dry rubbed beef ribs.
Tasted: 21 March 2014
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
Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay 2007, Napa County
California, Usa$65.95
Golden yellow in colour with high intensity on the nose.
Positives: Too much to write about but here's a summary to this complex wine. Medium toasted oak, buttery, cream corn, creme brûlée lemon meringue pie, roasted marshmallows, apple pie, caramel & cashews. Full body, alcohol is well integrated, good acidity & very long length.
Negatives: 15% alcohol. Interesting Things: Don't over chill it & use the larger Chard wine glasses.
Drink now or cellar it for another 5-7 years. Drinks well on its own as a meal or pair it with lobster & drawn butter.
Tasted: 12 Jan 12
Top Pick
Score: 9.5/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5
4.0 Stars
(0)V