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
Martin Ray Chardonnay 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
California, Usa$22.25
Lean but suave Chard which possesses a nice balance of oak, fruit & minerality
Description: Gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, pear, red & green apples, tangerine, nutmeg, dill, light oak spice and limestone. Medium+ body with some light tannin, good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Notes: Nice to see a Russian River Valley Chard for under $30 and under 14% alcohol.
Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Chicken Piccata with lemon caper sauce.
Tasted: 22 February 2016
Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Closson Chase Vineyard Chardonnay 2014, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$29.95
Tasted in 2016: A leaner citric Chard. In 2017 re: tested and much better. Flavours coming out, such as creme brûlée
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features lightly butter toasted oak, lemon, green & yellow apples, pear, dill, kumquat, kiwi, marzipan, oak spice. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: The finish has an overripe citric taste
Interesting Note: Don’t over chill this Chard as the cold will mask some of its nuances
Drink now or in 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Veal Piccata with Angel Hair and Parmigiana-Reggiano.
Tasted: 8 September 2016 and 22 October 2017
Score: (in 2016: 8.5+/10), (in 2017: 9+/10) Value: (in 2016: 8.5/10), (in 2017 price has gone down $1 : 9/10) Total: (in 2016: 17+/20) (in 2017: 18+/20)
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+ (in 2017: 4+ out of 5)
4.0 Stars
(0)V
La Crema Russian River Chardonnay 2014
California, Usa$39.95
Complex, balanced, juicy & delicious
Description: Bright light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, orange rind, peach, green & yellow apples, pink grapefruit, coconut, hazelnut, honeydew melon, honeysuckle on the nose and a hint of butterscotch. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it wit Tuna Tartare served with Avocado Brunoise, Sweet & Sour Sauce, White Truffle Oil and Red Caviar
Tasted: 19 November 2016
Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Muga Reserva 2012
Rioja, Spain$26.95
Elegant, lighter style of Rioja
Description: Deep, dark almost opaque ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features sandalwood, plum, strawberry, blackberry, vanilla, leather and fresh cut carnations on the nose. Medium body with medium+ tannin, , good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Priced on the higher end, but well worth it.
Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Sage Cornish Game Hens with Pomegranate Molasses.
Tasted: 10 December 2016
Best Buy
Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9+/10) Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Baron Fuenté Grand Cépages Chardonnay Champagne, Ac
Champagne, France$57.75
This Blanc de Blanc not for the faint at heart
Description: Bright gold in colour with an intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features toasted oak, brioche, yeast, lemon zest, green & yellow apples, pear, pink grapefruit, lime, ginger, cardamom, salted almonds and fresh cut carnations. Full body with good acidity and a long length.
Negatives: None
Thanks to my wife for this Champagne for my birthday
Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Raspberry Point Oysters.
Tasted: 12 March 2017
Top Pick
Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale Price: 9/10), Total: 18/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Henry Of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Brut, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$32.95
Light straw in colour with fine mousse & medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.
Positives: If my best buy category was for under $30, this sparkling would definitely be one. Side note: Some LCBOs have this in clearance for $24.95, which does make it a best buy. This sparkling is easy to drink & features brioche, yeast, baked apples, lemon custard & stone fruit. Medium to medium minus in body with good acidity & medium+ length.
Negatives: None.
Drink now on its own or pair it with red Lumpfish caviar.
Tasted: 7 Sept 12
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 18+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
3.5 Stars
(1000+)G
Piper Heidsieck Brut, Champagne
Champagne, France$66.35
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
Trius Brut, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$29.95
Pale gold in colour with medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse.
A solid Ontario sparkling wine.
Positives: This sparkling features lemon/lime, brioche, baked apples, pear, toasted almonds & grapefruit. Medium body with good acidity a good length.
Negatives: None
Drink now on its own or pair it with squash or pumpkin soup.
Tasted: 11 July 2013 (Happy Birthday Mom)
Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
3.5 Stars
(1000+)W
Roederer Estate Brut Sparkling, Anderson Valley, Mendocino
California, Usa$49.95
Gold in colour with fine mousse and a medium+ intense nose.
Positives: I just love this sparkler, which is one of my top 10 in this category. The clearance price even makes it more attractive. This easy drinking creamy sparkling wine serves up lemon, apple, biscotti, lemon curd, pink grapefruit, yeast, limestone and a touch of rosemary.
Negatives: None
Drink now on its own or pair it with anything, but if you need something, I paired it with Beausoleil cocktail oysters and it was heavenly.
Tasted: 9 Dec 12
Top Pick and Best Buy
Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 19/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5
3.5 Stars
(57)V
13th Street Cuvee Rosé Brut, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$32.95
A rustic rosé sparkling wine that has underlying charm.
Description: Rustic brick red in colour with a medium intense nose. This sparkling wine features light yeast, strawberry, McIntosh apples, truffles and forest greens. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.
Negatives: None
Interesting Note: Originally tasted in 2014, and this batch is better.
Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Mushroom and Prosciutto, Asparagus and Brie Tartines.
Tasted: 14 February 2016 (Happy Valentines Day)
Best Buy
Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5+/20
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+
3.5 Stars
(1000+)E