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
Gabriel Meffre Saint Ferréol Tavel Rosé 2015, Ap
Rhône, France$19.95
A robust rosé full of flavour
Description: Pomegranate in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features strawberry, raspberry, cherry, Spy apple, watermelon and fresh cut carnations on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or in the next couple of years, on its own or pair it with Arugula, Watermelon, Tomato and Feta Salad with balsamic glaze.
Tasted: 25 June 2016
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
Ghost Pines Winemaker's Blend Merlot 2013, Napa & Sonoma Counties
California, Usa$21.95
One of the better tastes and buys for California red coming from a premium AVA
Description: Dark garnet to purple in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, mulberry, black cherry, blackberry, mocha, cinnamon, cloves, and violets on the nose. Full body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: A little heat from the 14.5% alcohol
Interesting Note: Ghost Pines consistently has great value for the quality of wine they produce
Drink now or in 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Scallion and Brie stuffed Burgers on Grilled Focaccia Rosemary Buns.
Tasted: 14 October 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
3.0 Stars
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Domaine De La Baume Elisabeth Viognier 2014, Igp Pays D'oc
Languedoc, France$16.95
How a Viognier should be, smooth, oily with tropical & citric fruit
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features peach, apricot, lychee, mango, orange, pink grapefruit, honey and peach pit. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.
Drink now or in 5 years on its own or pair it with Chicken Pad Thai.
Tasted: 8 September 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+
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2014, Sonoma County
California, Usa$29.95
Smooth, new world style Pinot
Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, dark cherry, plum, raspberry, beets, sweet cranberries, mushrooms and smoked peat moss on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol.
Interesting Note: Use the balloon style glassware and chill it to 15C
Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Creamy Beet Risotto with Pecorino.
Tasted: 17 December 2016
Best Buy at the sale price
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Les Vignerons Du Castelas Vieilles Vignes Signargues Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2013, Ac
Rhône, France$14.25
Easy drinking with lots of dark fruit & acidity to balance it all out
Description: Medium to dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, blackcurrant, plum, Kirsch cherry, cracked pepper and arugula. Medium+ body with dusty tannin, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Although this wine was aged sur lie in oak barrels for 14 months and had malolactic fermentation, the wine tastes better in smaller Chablis style glass than the larger Montrachet larger glassware.
Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Spicy Shepherd's Pie with Chorizo.
Tasted: 23 January 2017
Best Buy
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price: 9+/10) Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Wolf Blass Yellow Label Chardonnay 2015, Padthaway/Adelaide Hills
South Australia, Australia$15.95
Easy drinking crisp yet balanced Chard
Description: Light gold to straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon/lime, pineapple, apple crumble pie, grapefruit, light oak spice and flint on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: Touch sulphur on the finish
Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Wahoo Citrus Ceviche.
Tasted: 23 September 2016
Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 (8.5+/10 sale price) Total: 17/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Jean Claude Mas Origines Martinolles St. Hilaire Chardonnay 2015, Pays D'oc
Languedoc, France$12.95
Impressive Chard, even more impressive that’s it’s inexpensive
Description: Gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features mild oak, lemon/lime, mango, pineapple, Spy apples, white peach, coconut crème pie, vanilla and Ylang Ylang on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Try using the Montrachet style glassware
Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Quail Roasted with Honey, Cumin and Orange Juice.
Tasted: 4 Aug 2017
Best & Amazing Buy
Score: 9/10, Value: 9.5/10 (Clearance price: 10/10) Total: 17.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Anciano Gran Reserva Tempranillo 2007, Valdepenas
Spain$13.95
Love the beautiful bottle & the price & the taste isn’t too bad either
Description: Medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light sandalwood, raisin, plum, cherry, mushrooms and some leather on the finish. Medium body with dusty tannin, good acidity and an average length.
Negatives: Don’t expect this simple wine to be typical of a Grand Reserva that sells for over $20+
Interesting Note: Has the classic Rioja gold metal like mesh over the bottle to prevent counterfeiting.
Drink now on its own or pair it with Caramelized Mushrooms, Roasted Garlic, and Cherry Tomato Pasta.
Tasted: 7 October 2016
Best Buy
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9+/10) Total: 17.5+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Novellum Chardonnay 2014, Igp Pays D'oc
Languedoc, France$18.95
Unoaked but has subtle nuances that make it smooth with some complexity
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features orange, lemon meringue, pineapple, Spy and Golden apples, coconut cream pie, macadamia nuts and white flowers on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: No wood was used; instead the wine was aged on Viognier lees to give it more substance.
Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Broiled Chicken stuffed with macadamia and camembert.
Tasted: 24 February 2017
Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 18/20
Best Buy
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.0 Stars
(0)V
William Hill Napa Valley Chardonnay 2014
California, Usa$28.95
A pleasant Chard
Description: Bright gold to in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features toasted oak, lemon, green apples, pineapple, clementine, butterscotch, ginger, oak spice & apple blossoms on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or in the next 4 years on its own or pair it with Baked Maple Mustard Chicken Thighs.
Tasted: 21 January 2017
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