Edward Rasiulis
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Followers (15)
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Following (2)
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Reviews (901)
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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
Inniskillin Niagara Estate Chardonnay 2014, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$10.95
A lean but clean Chard
Description: Straw in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, peach, pink grapefruit, pickled ginger, and chalk. Medium+ body with some tannin, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: A touch over sour on the mouthfeel
Interesting Point: A significant drop from their 2013 vintage but still enjoyable. The 2013 and 2014 vintages are on the shelves, so look carefully in choosing the better vintage. Use the larger Chardonnay glassware.
Drink now or in the next 3 of years on its own or pair it with hardwood Smoked Trout.
Tasted: 27 Aug 2015
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+
2.5 Stars
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Gen5 Chardonnay 2013, Lodi
California, Usa$12.75
Nice Californian Chard that’s not overtly oaked or sweet, but balanced
Description: Bright gold in colour with an intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, green & yellow apples, peach, nectarine, and dragon fruit. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: none
Interesting Note: Gen5 was founded in 2007 by the fifth generation of the Lange family, who began their Lodi agricultural adventures in 1870, when their great-great-grandparents emigrated from Germany and began farming watermelons.
Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Tuna and Wahoo Tartare with Avocado and Sesame dressing.
Tasted: 21 January 2016
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
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Patriarche Pinot Noir 2014, Vin De Pays D'oc
Languedoc, France$12.10
A rare Pinot that has substance & not sweetness for this price
Description: Garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features strawberry, ripe cherry, raspberry, cranberry, anise, vanilla, nutmeg and wood ambers on the nose. Light to medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: The Patriarche wine house was founded in 1780. Slightly chill between 13-15C and use the balloon style glassware.
Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Cranberry Glazed Roast Chicken.
Tasted: 2 May 2017
Best Buy, but an Amazing Buy for a Pinot
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 18.5+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
2.5 Stars
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Château Mamin 2009, Ac Graves
Bordeaux, France$21.95
Juicy, a touch acerbic on the finish, yet still smooth & delicious
Description: Medium+ ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, plum, blackberry, black currants, blueberry, turmeric, pencil shavings, leather and mesquite. Medium+ body and tannins, with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Crispy Skin Trout with Mint and Coriander Pork Belly.
Tasted: 4 April 2016
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
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Ritus Special Selection 2010, Do Ribera Del Duero
Ribera Del Duero, Spain$17.25
Simple but full flavoured
Description: Light to medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features sandalwood, plum, raspberry, blackberry, coconut and tomato leaves. Medium+ body and tannin with good acidity and a good length.
Negatives: Slight heat from the 14% alcohol and a little soapy on the nose.
Interesting Note: I found the wine tasted better in the larger Cab glass rather than the typical Tempranillo glass that I would normally use for a dominant Tempranillo wine.
Drink now or in the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with Lamb Shanks with Ancho Chile Honey Glaze.
Tasted: 5 July 2017
Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 17/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5
2.5 Stars
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Macmurray Ranch Pinot Gris 2014, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
California, Usa$24.95
If it wasn't for the noticeable sulphur this would have been excellent
Description: Bright light straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features white peach, pear, honeydew melon, fig and honeysuckle. Medium+ body with good acidity, a fairly long length and the alcohol is well integrated.
Negatives: Noticeable sulphur
Interesting Note: Clearance price is the correct price point for this wine
Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Calamari.
Tasted: 25 November 2016
Score: 8.5/10, Value: 7/10 (Clearance price: 8.5+) Total: 16.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5
2.5 Stars
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Dürnberg L & T Falkenstein Grüner Veltliner 2015, Niederösterreich
Austria$15.95
Simple, yet elegant GV that’s light & refreshing
Description: Deep straw with a green ting in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features green apples, lime, peach, white pepper and limestone. Light to medium body with good acidity and a good length.
Negatives: None
Thanks to my brother, Andrew and his wife Liz, for bringing this wine for his visit to my place.
Drink now or in the next 2-3 of years on its own or pair it with Scallop Ceviche in an Orange Juice, Shallot & Scotch Bonnet Vinaigrette.
Tasted: 8 May 2017
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
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Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, California
California, Usa$19.95
Simple & easy drinking wine that flirts with sweetness
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features candy apple, cherry, plum, blackcurrants, mocha and clove. Medium+ body with light tannin, good acidity and a decent length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Beef Brisket with Red Wine and Shallots.
Tasted: 12 November 2016
Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Sale price: 8.5+/10) Total: 17/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5
2.5 Stars
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Dry Creek Vineyard Dry Chenin Blanc 2015, Wilson Ranch, Clarksburg
California, Usa$17.25
Good balance between oak, fruit & acidity
Description: Bright straw in colour with an intense nose. This wine features orange, sugar snaps, pineapple, honeydew, kiwi, limestone and honeysuckle on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Nice detail on the front label
Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Crispy Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken.
Tasted: 20 February 2017
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 17.5/20
Best Buy
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
2.5 Stars
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Charles Smith The Velvet Devil Merlot 2015, Washington
Washington, Usa$8.30
Teeters on the sweeter side, yet still pleasant
Description: Medium+ ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose and some cloudiness. This wine features light cedar, dark cherry, plum, Christmas cake, nutmeg and pumpkin spice on the nice. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity and an average length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Parmesan Veal Burgers.
Tasted: 6 March 2017
Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8+/10 (Sale Price: 8.5/10), Total: 16.5+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5
2.5 Stars
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