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Twilight Wines

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Twilight Wines

Author Archives: Twilight Wines

RUSTENBERG R.M NICHOLSON 2010, Stellenbosh, South Africa

02 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Rustenberg_Rm_Nicholson_2010_web

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot & Cabernet Franc
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rustenberg
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A lot going on for a wine under $20

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, blackcurrants, plums, dark cherry, hickory, cocoa, eucalyptus, pepper, cassis, arugula, radicchio and licorice. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot on the finish from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Rustenberg was founded in 1682, but South Africa is still labeled as New World. Decant for 30 min to an hour.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with an aged T-bone steak.

Tasted: 26 March 2014

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 278390

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ELK COVE VINEYARDS PINOT NOIR 2011, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United States

26 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by Twilight Wines in Red Wines

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Elk Cove

Cost: $37.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Elk Cove Vineyards
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose.

Smooth and easy to drink, but not your typical Willamette Valley Pinot

Positives: This wine features pine, cherry, strawberry/raspberry mix, light smoky notes and mild forest floor. Medium light body with light tannins, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: There are a lot better Pinots at better prices

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with BBQ salmon.

Tasted: 25 March 2014

Score: 9/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 234534

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GLEN CARLOU PETIT VERDOT & TANNAT 2009, Paarl, South Africa

25 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by Twilight Wines in Red Wines

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Glen Carlou

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Petit Verdot & Tannat
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO
Country: South Africa
Region: Paarl
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Glen Carlou Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Reminds me of Hubba Bubba grape gum

Positives: This wine features cedar, prunes, dark cherry, raspberry, hickory, iodine, cocoa, eucalyptus, pepper and licorice. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Lots of heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: If you have a cold, inhale this, as it will clear your nasal passages.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with dry rubbed beef ribs.

Tasted: 21 March 2014

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 363440

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LA ROSE D’AIMÉE TAVEL 2012, Ac Tavel, France

25 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by Twilight Wines in Rosés

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Tavel

Cost: $18.95 (Clearance Price: $15.20)
Grape Variety: Grenache & Syrah
Category: Rosé wine
Location Bought: LCBO
Country: France
Region: Tavel, France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Les Grandes Serres
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep salmon in colour with a low intense nose.

The high alcohol overwhelms the flavours of this wine

Positives: This wine features strawberry, rose petals & mint. Medium body with average acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: Lots of heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Drink now on its own or pair it with grilled pork chops.

Tasted: 22 March 2014

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 17+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 684951

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BACHELDER PINOT NOIR 2011, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United States

21 Friday Mar 2014

Posted by Twilight Wines in Red Wines

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Bachelder Pinot

Cost: $34.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO
Country: United States
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Thomas Bachelder
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: 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

LCBO: 333278

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ARROWOOD CHARDONNAY 2010, Sonoma County, California, United States

20 Thursday Mar 2014

Posted by Twilight Wines in White Wines

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ARROWOOD_CHARDONNAY_web

Cost: $26.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Arrowood Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

I’m liking it, but not loving it

Positives: This wine features medium toasted oak, buttered popcorn, lemon, peaches & cream corn, caramel, pineapple, mango, dill and cloves. Full body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with lobster cooked in Chard and butter.

Tasted: 19 March 2014

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 270694

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THE DREAMING TREE, CRUSH 2011, North Coast, California, United States

20 Thursday Mar 2014

Posted by Twilight Wines in Red Wines

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Dreaming Tree

Cost: $17.00 (for sale $15.50 until 30 March 2014)
Grape Variety: Red blend
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO
Country: United States
Region: North Coast, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: The Dreaming Tree
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium light ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

This will appeal to those that like a sweeter style red with lots of flavour & low tannins

Positives: This wine features light oak, cherry, raspberry pie, mesquite and lavender. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity & a fair long length.

Negatives: A touch on the sweet side

Interesting Note: Environmentally friendly winery

Drink now on its own or pair it with stuffed bell peppers.

Tasted: 18 March 2014

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

LCBO: 310391

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BARNETT VINEYARDS PINOT NOIR 2011 DONNELLY CREEK VINEYARD, Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California, United States

16 Sunday Mar 2014

Posted by Twilight Wines in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Barnett 2011

Cost: $27.99 US
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Total Wines, Florida
Country: United States
Region: Donnelly Creek Vineyard, Anderson Valley, Mendocino County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Barnett Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby with garnet tones in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Another quality Pinot from one of my favourite wineries

Positives: This wine features pine, red currants, pomegranate, bing cherry, Acai, Christmas cake, black pepper & cinnamon. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None.

Drink now or in the next 8 years on its own or pair it with jerk seasoned pork chops.

Tasted: 15 March 2014

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

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JOSEPH CARR CHARDONNAY 2011, St. Helena, Sonoma County, California, United States

15 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Joseph Carr
 
Cost: $22.99 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: St. Helena, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Joseph Carr
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
 
A delicious well balanced Chard that easy to drink
 
Positives: This complex wine features medium minus toasted oak, butter, mango, pineapple, clementine, nectarine, dill and ginger. Full body with good acidity and a long length.
 
Negatives: None
 
Interesting Note: Joseph also produces a Chard in honour of his father, Josh. However, Joseph’s Chard is better.
 
Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with fried salt and pepper breadfruit.
 
Tasted: 15 March 2014
 
Best Buy
 
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 18.5/20
 
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

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NEWTON CLARET 2008, Napa County, California, United States

15 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by Twilight Wines in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Newton 2008

Cost: $29.59 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: 53% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Napa County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Newton Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A delicious Right Bank Bordeaux style from Napa

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, blackcurrants, blackberry, dark cherry, cigar box, plum, purple lilacs, cinnamon, cloves & dark chocolate. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Note: Tasted the 2007 as well, and the 2008 is more to my liking.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with braised lamb shank.

Tasted: 8 March 2014

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

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Certified Sommelier

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Edward Rasiulis: Certified Sommelier

What is Twilight Wines?

Twilight is sometimes defined as when something is approaching its end, especially in a gentle or peaceful way. It is universally known as that optimum moment between day and night, light and darkness. Twilight is that point when we have learned the lessons we are apt to learn and have spun our last breath, and told our last tale: our twilight years. It is that moment when everything and everyone is at its finest, when the earth and all its occupants pause for just a fraction of time in anticipation of what comes next. That is the moment at which all wine should be drank and with a little insight and a lot of luck, fate will allow us the moment in which this will occur. The luck my friend’s is totally of your own creation. Here in my domain, Twilight wines. I will endeavour to impart that insight.

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