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
Rutherford Ranch Chardonnay 2012, Napa Valley
California, Usa$0.00
Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
A solid Chard from Napa that's at the $20 range
Positives: This wine features mild toasted oak, lemon rind, green apple, light buttered popcorn, grapefruit with a hint of pith, guava and shale. Medium+ body with good acidity & a long length.
Negatives: There’s some heat from the 13.5% alcohol.
Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with chicken Parmesan.
Tasted: 13 May 2014
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 17.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
2.5 Stars
(0)
Buena Vista Chardonnay 2011, Carneros, Sonoma County
California, Usa$23.95
Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose.
An excellent Carneros Chard under $24 that’s not flabby or high in alcohol
Positives: This wine features medium toasted oak with light butter, lemon, pineapple, peach, Allspice, ginger, turn mangos and green apple. Full body with light tannins, good acidity & a long length.
Negatives: Some heat from the 13.5% alcohol
Interesting Note: This wine has some tannin, and they have revamped the labels to make the bottle more appealing.
Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with crab Alfredo.
Tasted: 11 June 2014
Best Buy
Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
2.5 Stars
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Mcmanis Chardonnay 2012, River Junction
California, Usa$19.95
Medium light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.
A smooth Chard from California that’s not over !4% alcohol, just wish it was under $15
Positives: This wine features light oak, caramelized apple, lemon candy, pear, peach, and pineapple. Medium+ body with average acidity and length.
Negatives: None
Drink now on its own or pair it with Brie and honey.
Tasted: 15 May 2014
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 16.5+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5
2.5 Stars
(0)V
Hedges C.M.S. Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Syrah 2011, Columbia Valley
Washington, Usa$19.95
Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.
Need to issue my warning for this wine: “Danger Will Robinson” as you can easily drink 2 bottles without blinking an eye
Positives: This wine features cedar, cherry, plums, red licorice, mesquite, Allspice and thyme. Medium body and tannins with good acidity & a long length.
Negatives: There’s some heat coming from the 13.5% alcohol
Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or and pair it with veal sandwich.
Tasted: 26 June 2014
Best Buy
Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
2.5 Stars
(0)V
Campo Viejo Tempranillo Rose 2013
Spain$11.80
Light cranberry in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
Still one of my favourite rosés
Positives: This wine features raspberry, watermelon, sweet cherry tomatoes, pink grapefruit, kumquat & roses on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Although I really like this vintage, the 2012 was better. Please see my earlier review of the 2012 vintage.
Drink now or over the next year on its own or pair it with Porchetta.
Tasted: 1 May 2013
Best Buy
Score: 9/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
2.5 Stars
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Inniskillin Niagara Estate Pinot Noir Rosé 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$12.25
Full flavoured rosé that’s yummy
Description: Bright ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features strawberry, raspberry, rhubarb, cherry and red pepper jam. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Use the Pinot Noir glass as it really accentuates all the flavours
Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with pork chop stuffed with sundried tomatoes
Tasted: 17 Nov 2014
Best Buy
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 17.5+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
2.5 Stars
(0)V
Cathedral Cellar Chardonnay 2013, Wo Western Cape
Western Cape, South Africa$16.95
A simple Chard
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. Lots of lemon, lime, grapefruit, limestone followed by ginger and some caramel on the finish. Medium body with good acidity and an average length.
Negatives: A touch too tart for me.
Interesting Point: Better than the 2012 vintage but no where nearly as good as the 2011.
Drink now on its own or pair it with Spicy Indonesian Ginger Chicken.
Tasted: 12 Dec 2015
Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 17/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3+
2.5 Stars
(0)V
Grange Of Prince Edward Sparkling Riesling 2013
Ontario, Canada$12.25
An interesting sparkling wine, worth the try at the clearance price
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and medium to light mouse. This wine features a very nice aromatic nose but a slightly bitter finish. White peach, apricot, lemon-lime, peach pit, pink grapefruit, lychee and limestone. Medium to light body with good acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: A bit bitter on the finish.
Interesting Note: All of Grange of Prince Edward wines are 100% estate grown. This sparkling is topped with a bottle cap.
Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with sweet and sour fish with lychee.
Tasted: 3 May 2015
Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance price: 8.5+) Total: 17/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5
2.5 Stars
(0)V
Peninsula Ridge Mcnally Vineyards Proprietor's Reserve Pinot Noir 2012, VQA Beamsville Bench
Ontario, Canada$20.25
Tries to deliver premium Pinot taste at a good price, but falls short
Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features spruce, violets, cherry, cinnamon, nutmeg, cranberry, musk and white pepper. Medium light body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: A little light on the taste
Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Herb Lamb Cutlets with caramelized shallots and oven roasted diced sweet potatoes and red peppers.
Tasted: 27 May 2015
Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 17/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5
2.5 Stars
(0)V
Whitehaven Pinot Noir 2012, Marlborough
Marlborough, New Zealand$24.10
New world style Pinot that is very good
Description: Medium to light garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features pine, cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, bramble fruit and a light underbrush on the finish. Medium+ body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Slightly chill and served in a balloon style stemware.
Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Spiced Lamb Chops with Cherry and Blackberry Salsa.
Tasted: 15 Dec 2015
Best Buy
Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale: 9.5/10) Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
2.5 Stars
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