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
Finca Villacreces Pruno 2011
Ribera Del Duero, Spain$21.95
Dark ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.
Smooth, juicy, crisp and yummy
Positives: This wine features cedar, prunes, blackberry, mulberry, raspberry, leather, licorice sour cherry, espresso, thyme & mustard seed. Full body with medium+ tannins with good acidity & a long length.
Negatives: A little heat from the 14% alcohol
Interesting Note: Decant for an hour before serving
Drink now or in the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with grilled Rosemary/Dijon crusted lamp chops.
Tasted: 1 March 2014
Best Buy
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 (Clearance price 9.5+/10)
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Bachelder Pinot Noir 2011, Willamette Valley
Oregon, Usa$34.95
Medium light ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.
A quality Pinot that threads between new & old world
Positives: This wine features pine, cherry, strawberry, beets, pomegranate and forest dew. Medium minus body with light tannins, good acidity & a fairly long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now on or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Ahi Tuna.
Tasted: 20 March 2014
Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Rudolf Rabl Grüner Veltliner Reserve Vinum Optimum 2009, Kamptal
Austria$19.95
Bright gold in colour with medium intense nose.
Positives: One of the better Grüner Veltliners you will find featuring pear, white pepper, lime, grapefruit & slate. Medium body with good acidity & long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now on its own or pair with grilled scallops wrapped in bacon.
Tasted: 24 Dec 11
Best Buy
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 18+/20.
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Château Rahoul 2010, Ac Graves
Bordeaux, France$29.95
Smooth as silk
Description: Deep almost opaque ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, blackberry, black tea, licorice, cinnamon, umami, tobacco leaf, and oregano. Medium+ body with dry tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: A little heat on the finish from the 14% alcohol
Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with grilled tenderloin steak.
Tasted: 30 July 2014
Top Pick
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Tar & Roses Tempranillo 2011, Heathcote/Alpine Valleys
Victoria, Australia$15.25
Medium to light ruby with a touch of garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
A nice surprise having a Tempranillo from Australia that tastes like it was from Spain.
Positives: This wine features cedar, sandalwood, lots of sour cherry, blackberry, licorice, rose petals, cloves, rosemary and sage. Medium body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or over the 5 next years on its own or pair it with grilled lamb chops.
Tasted: 6 Sept 2013
Best Buy
Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Thymiopoulos Vineyards Yn Kai Oupavós Xinomavro 2010, Unfiltered, Naoussa
Naoussa, Greece$19.95
Medium light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.
A smooth wine with good quality & the nose is to die for
Positives: This complex wine features pine, roses, blackberry, Bing cherry, raspberry, Star anise, Allspice, cinnamon & turn tamarind. Medium+ body and tannins, with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: The name 'Earth and Sky' appears on the label in Greek, German, French, Japanese, English, and what appears to be a pictograph.
Drink now or in the next 3 years and pair it with Ruth Chris steak.
Tasted: 26 April 2014
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 19/20
Top Pick, Best Buy
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Château Montus Madiran 2006, Ac Madiran
Southwest, France$34.95
Deep dark ruby with a hint of garnet on the colour & medium+ intensity on the nose.
Positives: A complex & higher end wine from the South of France. Notes of cedar, blackberry, dark cherry, mulberry, raspberry, macintosh apple, leather, pencil shaving, turmeric, all spice, arugula & radicchio on the finish. Full body, medium+ tannins, good acidity, long length & alcohol is well integrated.
Negatives: A little astringent & thus needs time to age.
If you're drinking this now, decanter for 2 hours & pair it with medium rare steak.
Tasted: 11 Mar 12
Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Score: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Coto De Imaz Reserva 2005, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$20.95
Medium minus ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.
A true pleasure to drink and for just over $20.
Positives: This complex wine features cedar, sandalwood, dark cherry, cinnamon, cloves, coconut, vanilla, nutmeg and some leather. Medium body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: I like the classic label.
Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Crusted Black Pepper and Cinnamon seared Pork Loin served with fried yucca drizzled with garlic butter.
Tasted: 18 Nov 2013
Best Buy
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Grant Burge The Holy Trinity Grenache/shriaz/mourvèdre 2007, Barossa Valley, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$29.95
Medium+ ruby to garnet with a purple tinge and a medium+ intensity on the nose.
Positives: Cedar, dried blueberry & raspberry, slate, peppers (red, black & white), plums, leather & moss. Medium to full body with medium to medium minus tannins, good acidity, medium+ length & the alcohol is well integrated.
Negatives: The 14.5% alcohol. Tastes more like a wine $10 cheaper.
Interesting Point: Check out my comparison to Turkey Flat Butcher's Block SGM.
Drink now on its own or pair it with BBQ baby back ribs.
Tasted: 27 Jan 12
Score: 9/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 17/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Piper-heidsieck Brut, Champagne
Champagne, France$71.45
Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose & fine mousse.
The sports car of Champagnes; fast, lean, racy & easy to drink
Positives: This complex wine features light toast & yeast, guava, honeysuckle, pear, green apples, pistachio, tobacco, melba toast & icing sugar on the finish. Light to medium body with good acidity & a long length.
Negatives: $20 more expensive in Ontario than Florida.
Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with raspberry point oysters.
Interesting Point: My wife’s go to Champagne, and if it were priced like Florida this would be a weekly staple.
Tasted: 5 January 2014
Top Pick
Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5
3.5 Stars
(1000+)G+(29)O