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
Henry Of Pelham Estate Chardonnay 2012, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$19.95
A symbiotic quartet is created from the harmonious combination of oak, fruit, acidity and creaminess.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This creamy wine features light oak, lemon, Bosc pear, apple, honeydew melon, honeysuckle, ginger and nutmeg. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: Use the cooler climate Chard glass.
Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with steamed snow crab.
Tasted: 16 July 2014
Best Buy
Score: 9/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Château Des Landes Cuvée Tradition 2009, Lussac St Emilion
Bordeaux, France$19.95
Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
A nice French Right Bank Bordeaux that’s fairly priced
Positives: This wine features cedar, dark cherry, plums, mulberry, cigar box, radicchio, leather, iodine, dry herbs & spinach. Medium+ body and with good acidity & a fairly long length.
Negatives: A little bitterness & heat on the finish.
Interesting Point: Decant for an hour
Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with grilled steak.
Tasted: 21 February 2014
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Jekel Pinot Noir 2011, Santa Barbara County
California, Usa$19.95
Medium light ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
A simple fruit driven Pinot that is deserving at its price
Positives: This wine features a light smoky note, cranberry, cherry, rhubarb & strawberry. Medium body, mild tannins with good acidity & a fairly long length.
Negatives: Some heat coming from the 14.1% alcohol.
Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with tuna sashimi.
Tasted: 12 February 2014
Best Buy
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Hess Allomi Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Napa Valley
California, Usa$37.95
Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
A nice smooth wine, albeit a little on the sweet side with noticeable high alcohol
Positives: This wine features cedar, maraschino cherry, blackberry, raspberry, cinnamon, plums, milk chocolate and graphite. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, fairly good acidity & a long length.
Negatives: There’s a lot of heat from the 14.5% alcohol
Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with BBQ brisket.
Tasted: 2 May 2014
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8+/10, Total: 16.5+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Keint He Voyageur Pinot Noir 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$19.00
Not complex, simple, but very nice. One of the best Canadian Pinot’s for under $20
Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium to low intense nose. This wine features cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, nutmeg and light earthy notes. Medium body and tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Slightly chill
Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Garlic Roasted Pork Loin with Raspberry Chipotle Glaze.
Tasted: 3 April 2015
Best Buy
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 17.5+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Nyarai Cellars Viognier 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$21.95
A vibrant wine from one of my favourite varietals, and it’s Canadian! Just don't over chill it
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features lemon, apricot, peach, clementine, grapefruit and limestone. Medium body with above average acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Points: Nyarai Cellars is a virtual winery and uses minimalist approach to their wine making process. Nyarai (na-rye) is South African name meaning Humility.
Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with
Tasted: 19 Oct 2014
Best Buy
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
3.0 Stars
Beaulieu Vineyard Beaurouge 2010, Napa Valley
California, Usa$21.25
Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.
Smooth as silk with a plethora of flavours
Positives: This complex wine features cedar, plums, dark cherry, bramble fruit, licorice, anise, cassis, sage, dates, fennel, coffee, figs and leather. Medium+ body with smooth tannins, good acidity & a long length.
Negatives: Lots of heat from the 14.5% alcohol
Interesting Point: Despite the high alcohol this wine is not jammy
Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with coffee crusted pork tenderloin.
Tasted: 7 June 2014
Best Buy
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 18+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2012, Sonoma County
California, Usa$22.95
A touch sweet, creamy and heavy Pinot
Description: Medium light garnet to ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry pie, plum, rhubarb, dates and vanilla. Full body with low tannings, medium acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: Too sweet for me
Interesting Note: It seems like every second year Rodney Strong puts out a subpar Pinot, this vintage is it.
Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with duck paté
Tasted: 4 Jan 2015
Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 17/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Stoneleigh Pinot Noir 2013
Marlborough, New Zealand$18.95
Explosive flavours with a nice mix of sweet & sour fruits
Description: Light garnet to ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, cherry, cranberry, raspberry, oak spice, nutmeg and autumn leaves. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: Some heat from the 13% alcohol
Interesting Point: Slightly chill and serve in a Balloon style glass
Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with .
Tasted: 1 Aug 2015
Best Buy
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Trius Red 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$22.95
Deep to dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.
If you don't mind the black tea, bell pepper dominance it's a nice wine
The wine features oak, bell peppers, twigs, plum, tobacco leaves, black cherry, black tea, turmeric, anise and leather. Medium+ body with dry tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
This vintage is Cab dominated which explains the predominant green notes. I prefer the 2011 vintage as it's more complex. See my earlier review on that vintage.
Drink now or over the next 5-8 years on its own or pair it with steak and spiced asparagus.
Tasted: 17 Oct 2014
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
3.0 Stars
(0)V