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Twilight Wines

~ Making Your Wine Experience Even More Enjoyable

Twilight Wines

Category Archives: Recommended

CONO SUR CHARDONNAY ORGANIC 2019, Chile

11 Monday Jan 2021

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95 (Sale price until Jan 31, 2021: $11.20)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cono Sur
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice Chard full of citric fruit with good complexity at a great value for under $15. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, pink grapefruit, green apple, pear, peach, light oak spice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Certified organic & Vegan

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with Pan Seared Red Snapper with Citrus Mango Salsa.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 10, 2021

LCBO: 230565

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PENLEY ESTATE PHOENIX CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018, Coonawara, Australia

07 Thursday Jan 2021

Posted by Twilight Wines in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Coonawara
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Penley Estate
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This wine needs to be decanted to mellow out the tannin, but once you do that this wine becomes pleasant with lots of spice & black fruit. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Deep ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, firm tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features blackcurrants, bramble fruit, plum, spearmint, anise, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, arugula & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I admit it, I bought this wine because I liked the label.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years & pair it with Flank Steak with a Mint Chimichurri.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: January 7, 2021

LCBO: 639575

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DOMAINE DE ROCHEBIN MÂCON AZÉ VILLAGES 2018, AC Mâcon Azé, Burgundy, France

28 Monday Dec 2020

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Mâcon Azé, Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine de Rochebin
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Lots of yellow & orange fruit followed by flint/smoke taste. The flint/smoke notes may not be liked by some wine drinkers that like either crisp unoaked chard or buttery chard style.  Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, peach, nectarine, kumquat, Golden apple, orange zest, flint, smoke, light oak spice & limestone. 

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: On a blind taste, I would have thought this was a Pouilly-Fumé.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with Spicy Crispy Pan Roasted Chicken Thighs.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 28, 2020

LCBO: 156943

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JOSH CELLARS CHARDONNAY 2019, California, United States of America

15 Tuesday Dec 2020

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Sale Price until Jan 3, 2021: $16.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States of America
Region:  California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Josh Cellars
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A good value Cali Chard that’s under 14% alcohol, full body with lots of spice & tropical fruit.  Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium to low intensity nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, yellow apples, peach, mandarin, cantaloupe, dry fig, clove, oak spice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-6 years & pair it with Roasted Squash stuffed with barley, sausage, mushrooms, onions, and mozzarella seasoned with thyme and a pinch of cinnamon.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 14, 2020

LCBO: 561100

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MUMM NAPA BRUT PRESTIGE NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, Napa Valley, California, United States of America

13 Sunday Dec 2020

Posted by Twilight Wines in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $29.95 (Sale Price: $24.95 until Jan 3, 2021)
Grape: 45% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Gris & Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region:  Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mumm Napa Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, creamy & easy drinking sparkling wine. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Bright straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features light brioche & yeast, gingerbread, lemon, green & red apples, peach, pear, cantaloupe, & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Last time I reviewed this wine was in 2016, & true to house form, it hasn’t really changed in taste, which is what you want in a non-vintage sparkling wine year to year.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 7-10 years & pair it with Pork Cutlets with Pear and Ginger Sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: December 13, 2020

LCBO: 217273

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KEN FORRESTER PETIT ROSÉ 2019, Western Cape, South Africa

02 Wednesday Dec 2020

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Grenache & Viognier
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ken Forrester Wines
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant, inexpensive rosé which has a nice sour/tart finish. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Light copper in colour with high acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features strawberry, sour cherries, raspberry, dragon fruit & granite.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next couple of years & pair it with Dong Po Pork [Traditional Braised Pork Belly] especially from Ma Chinese restaurant in St. Catharines.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 2, 2020

LCBO: 553040

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JOSH CELLARS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018, California, United States of America

27 Friday Nov 2020

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until Nov 29, 2020)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Josh Cellars
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Unusually a lot of spice to go with the fruit for this Cali Cab that’s under $20, which is a good thing. Score: 89/100

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, plum, raspberry, blackberry, tamarind, Allspice, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, pencil shavings, vanilla & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This vintage is a lot better than the 2014 vintage that I reviewed in 2016.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years & pair it with Thai Fried Beef in Tamarind Sauce. 

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 26, 2020

LCBO: 461053

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BOSCHENDAL 1685 CHARDONNAY 2019, South Africa

20 Friday Nov 2020

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Boschendal
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A well priced Chard that’s pleasant to drink, which has balance between the oak, the fruit & acidity. Score: 89/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, pineapple, green apples, pear, ginger & oak spice.   

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with grilled peppercorn & salt scallops on a bed of spaghettini in olive oil & basil.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 19, 2020

LCBO: 367698

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LE GRAVILLAS SABLET CÔTES DU RHÔNES-VILLAGE 2017, AOC Sablet, Côtes du Rhône, France

18 Wednesday Nov 2020

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Sablet, Côtes du Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave Le Gravillas
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Very expressive with lots of spice. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Dark purple to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, blackcurrants, redcurrants, plum, blackberry, tobacco, arugula, black & white pepper.  

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with seared venison backstrap with blackberry sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 18, 2020

LCBO: 78790

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KENDALL-JACKSON VINTNER’S RESERVE CHARDONNAY, 2018 California, United States of America

16 Monday Nov 2020

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $21.95 (Sale price until: Nov 29, 2020)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jackson Estate
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A balanced barrel fermented Chard with good acidity, tropical fruit & some creaminess all without having the high alcohol that Chards from California seem to be the norm. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green & golden apples, peach, toasted pineapple, papaya, ginger, dill, oak spice & vanilla.  

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with crab Alfredo.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 16, 2020

LCBO: 369686

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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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