Edward Rasiulis
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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
Ojai Bien Nacido Syrah 2005, Santa Barbara County
California, Usa$39.90
Inky ruby with purple tinge in colour with a medium+ intense nose.
What an amazing wine that I got for under $20 in the Cayman Islands. LCBO had it in 2011 for $39.99
Positives: This complex wine features cedar, plums, dark cherry, tar, coffee beans, violets, cigar box, peppers, burnt rubber, ripe tamarind, tarragon, licorice & leather. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: Lucky I bought out the store with this wine.
Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with ragù alla Bolognese with garlic bread.
Tasted: 10 Dec 2013
Top Pick & Best Buy (in Cayman)
Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 19.5+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5
0.5 Stars
(0)V
Roche De Bellene Volnay Les Pitures 1er Cru 2008, Ac
Burgundy, France$29.95
Medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.
Positives: An elegant Pinot showing some spruce, cranberry, sour cherry, raspberry, rhubarb & light earthiness. Light to medium body, medium minus tannins, good acidity & medium+ length.
Negatives: A touch too sour on the finish.
Drink now & a very food friendly wine that you can match with game fowl.
Tasted: 16 Sept 12
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 17.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5
0.5 Stars
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The Paring Pinot Noir 2008
California, Usa$24.90
Description: Med garnet, med+ intensity on the nose. A lot going on with rhubarb, cranberry, strawberry, pine, allspice, violets & earth tones. On the palate, dry, soft tannins, med+ acidity, med- weight, balanced, long length. Rhubarb, cranberry, strawberry, pomegranate, cherry, suede, pine & light earth tones. Complex wine, good quality. Food friendly or drink on it's own. Compliments turkey well. Score: 9+/10, value: 8+/10, Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
Tasted: 8 April 2011
0.5 Stars
(0)V
Coyote's Run Red Paw Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$24.95
Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose.
Positives: A lighter old world style Pinot featuring a nice balance between fruit and earthiness. Light pine and violets, cranberry, champagne mushrooms, strawberry, cinnamon, some cherry pipe tobacco and thyme. Light body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now on its own or pair it with pâté.
Tasted: 1 Jan 13. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 17.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
0.5 Stars
(0)V
Baron De Ley Rosado 2010, Doca Rioja
Spain$13.95
Salmon in colour with a medium minus nose.
Positives: This is yummy. The nose is muted so I wasn't expecting too much, but then I tasted it & wow. It was like those candies that have a fruit explosion once you crack the hard outer layer. Lots of strawberry with Macintosh apples, cranberry, cherry & some wet stone. Slightly off dry, medium body with good acidity, long length.
Negatives: None.
Interesting Point: This is a great summer wine.
Drink on its own or pair it with grilled pork chop stuffed with sun dried tomatoes.
Tasted: 25 Mar 12
Best Buy
Score:9+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 19/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5
0.5 Stars
(0)V
D'arenberg The Galvo Garage 2007, Mclaren Vale/Adelaide Hills, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$29.95
Opaque ruby in colour with a highly intense nose.
Positives: Lots of flavours happening in this wine. Cedar, Ribena, cherry cola, prunes, raisins, menthol, leather, pencil shavings, turmeric, red & black pepper, all-spice, cassis, star anise, cinnamon & cloves. Full body, medium+ tannins and acidity with a long length.
Negatives: There is some heat from the 14.5% alcohol.
Interesting Point: LCBO has this wine on clearance now, from 29.95 to 24.90. The 07 is not as good as the 06, but with the new price its definitely worth the buy.
Drink now on its own or pair it with venison.
Tasted 28 Oct 12
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 17.5+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
0.5 Stars
(0)V
Top Bench White 2009, VQA
Ontario, Canada$13.95
A blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay & 10% gewürztraminer with the Chard part aged sur lie in French & American for a year. Medium straw in colour with medium intensity. Gooseberry, light oak, lemon/lime, some fresh cut grass notes, apple, peach & melon. The taste is dry, medium acidity, medium minus body, medium length & balanced. The taste is more expressive than the nose elevating its notes to a higher level. Drink now on its own or with edamame.
Tasted 20 Aug 11.
Best Buy.
Score: 9/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
1.8 Stars
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