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
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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Terres De Saint Louis 2016, Coteaux Varois En Provence Rose
Provence, France$13.10
A simple but nice crisp rosé that’s a good alternative to Sauvignon Blanc for summer fun
Description: Light salmon in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features passion fruit, pink grapefruit, strawberry and pink roses on the nose. Light to medium body with good acidity and a good length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Encircled by the Côtes de Provence, the Coteaux Varois en Provence appellation, ten times smaller than its big sister, has a very specific character, due to its terroir and very unique climate.
Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Asian-Style Scampi with spiced herb relish.
Tasted: 31 May 2017
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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Columbia Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Columbia Valley
Washington, Usa$12.95
A rich Cab with candied dark fruits that’s below 14% alcohol
Description: Opaque ruby to purple in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked oak, plum, ripe tamarind, blackcurrant, Christmas cake, leather, white pepper, mocha, toffee Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Columbia Winery’s new label is a 1,000 times better than the old one, which was to simplistic & non imaginative.
Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Smoked Onion and Gruyere Cheese Tarts.
Tasted: 10 Aug 2017
Best Buy
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
2.5 Stars
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Kaiken Terroir Series Corte Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Mendoza, Argentina$0.00
This will please those that like sweeter style red wines like the basic Aussy Reds but not as flabby
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features prunes, raisins, milk chocolate, mocha and blueberry pie. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.
Negatives: Too sweet for my taste
Drink now on its own or pair it with BBQ pulled pork sliders.
Tasted: 23 Oct 2014
Score: 8+/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 16.5+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3+
2.5 Stars
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Casa Dea Estates Cabernet Franc Reserve 2009, Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$26.95
Juicy, fruity & earthy
Description: Medium-light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, blackberry, mulberry, raspberry, tamarind, graphite, champagne mushrooms and peat moss on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Sediment and tartrate crystals found in the bottle
Drink now on its own or pair it with Steak Frites.
Tasted: 26 August 2016
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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William Hill Napa Valley Chardonnay 2012
California, Usa$27.95
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
A luxurious Napa Chard that’s under $30.
Positives: This complex wine features medium toasted oak, butterscotch, orange, peach, pineapple, lemon meringue pie, mango and Easter lily on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: Use the larger Chard glass and don’t over chill this wine.
Drink now or over the next 6 years on its own or pair it with garlic shrimp scampi on a bed of angel hair.
Tasted: 12 Nov 2013
Top Pick
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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Michel Haury Grenache Petite Edition 2013, Vin De France
France$13.70
Well isn’t this a pleasant surprise for a French table wine for under $13 & 100% Grenache. It’s delicate, easy drinking yet brimming with flavour
Description: Medium light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium to low intense nose. What the nose doesn’t show, the taste certainly does. This wine features cherry, strawberry, cinnamon, pomegranate, orange peel, cloves and some leather on the finish. Medium to light body and tannins with good acidity and an average length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Works best in a smaller wine glasses such as Chianti or Zinfandel, and have it cellar temperature or even slightly below.
Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with nachos supreme
Tasted: 18 April 2015
Best Buy
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
2.5 Stars
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Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Napa Valley
California, Usa$108.95
Oh my! This is decadent
Description: Opaque ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features layers of flavours starting with cedar/sandalwood, dark cherry, plum, blueberry pie, tamarind, raspberry, chocolate, cherry tobacco, espresso, dates, vanilla, clove, cinnamon, and purple lilacs & peat moss on the nose. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.
Negatives: 14.9% alcohol, but what they hay!
Interesting Note: This is so smooth and delicious I could easily drink bottles of this, but then I would be broke, oh well, you only live once (that one remembers?)
Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Spice-Crusted Strip Steak with Tamarind Sauce.
Tasted: 8 March 2016
Top Pick
Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5
2.5 Stars
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