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Twilight Wines

~ Making Your Wine Experience Even More Enjoyable

Twilight Wines

Category Archives: Red Wines

GUENOC PETITE SIRAH 2013, Lake County, California, United States

18 Friday Mar 2016

Posted by Twilight Wines in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Guenoc

Cost: $28 US
Grape: Petit Sirah 2013
Category: Red Wine
Location Club House One, Miami International Airport
Country: United States
Region: Lake County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Langtry Estate
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy & a treat to drink

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, plum, dark cherry, white & black peppers, chocolate, arugula, vanilla, leather and violets on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Would like to taste this wine in a proper wine glassware.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Club House One Rib-eye steak (It was delicious)

Tasted: 17 March 2016

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Restaurant price) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

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CRAGGY RANGE TE KAHU GIMBLETS 2011, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

16 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by Twilight Wines in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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10_cr_redb1

Cost: $30.50 US
Grape: 69% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 9% Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location Blackbeard’s Cayman Islands
Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawke’s Bay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Craggy Range
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Interesting in a good way

Description: Bright deep ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features sandalwood, dark cherry, raspberry, plum, tamarind, blackcurrant, cherry-cola, sage, thyme and leather. Medium+ body and tannin with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Te Kahu means “The cloak in the Te Reo Maori and refers to the mist that envelops their giants winery in the Tuki Tuki Valley. Legend has it this mist protected a mythical Maori maiden from the sun as she visited her lover Te Mata.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Garlic Pit Roasted Picanha.

Tasted: 12 March 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

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DIEMERSFONTEIN PINOTAGE 2014, Wellington, South Africa

15 Tuesday Mar 2016

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Pinotage

Cost: $30 US ($18.95 at LCBO)
Grape: Pinotage
Category: Red Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: South Africa
Region: Wellington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Diemersfontein Wine & Country Estate
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic smoky intense Pinotage that’s quite delicious

Description: Medium bright ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features oak, tiramisu, buttered dark toast, mocha, Christmas cake, sticky toffee, cigar box, strawberry jam, tar and sizzled bacon. Medium+ body and tannin with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room www.caymanboutique.com for suggesting this wine and a delightful afternoon of wine tasting.

Interesting Note: Wine is made from hand-picked grapes.

Ideally suited to drink this wine on its own over the next 3 years.

Tasted: 14 March 2016

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

Best Buy

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 956409 (As of this review the 2014 vintage is not yet available at the LCBO)

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CASTRA RUBRA RED 2009, Thracian Valley, Bulgaria

15 Tuesday Mar 2016

Posted by Twilight Wines in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Castra Rubra-500x500

Cost: $37 US
Grape: 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Bulgaria
Region: Thracian Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Castra Rubra Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

High quality wine from Bulgaria that is worth the premier price

Description: Medium deep bright ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, espresso, peat moss, leather, eucalyptus, oregano, cola, Crimini mushrooms and arugula. Medium+ body and tannin with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room www.caymanboutique.com for suggesting this wine

Interesting Note: Wine is made from hand-picked grapes.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Coffee Rubbed Boston Butt Pulled Pork.

Tasted: 14 March 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

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TOLAINI PICCONERO TENUTA MONTOBELLO 2009, IGT Tuscany, Italy

15 Tuesday Mar 2016

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

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tolaini-picconero-tenuta-montebello-toscana-igt-tuscany-italy-10556535

Cost: $110 US
Grape: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Toscana
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tolaini
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This Merlot dominant wine is impressive now but should be delivering the wow factor in 3 to 5 yrs

Description: Deep bright ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, tobacco leaf, leather, sage, oregano, fennel, white & black pepper, boysenberry and spinach. Medium+ body with high tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room www.caymanboutique.com for suggesting this wine

Interesting Note: Decant for an hour or double decant if you don’t have the time.

Drink now or in the next 10-15 years on its own or pair it with Braised Beef (marinated in Barolo wine and spices).

Tasted: 14 March 2016

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18.5/20

Top Pick

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

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CONCHA Y TORO DON MELCHOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008, DO Maipo Valley, Chile

10 Thursday Mar 2016

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

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Don Melchor 2008

Cost: $70.00
Grape: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Online
Country: Chile
Region: Maipo Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Concha Y Toro
Alcohol: 15.5% Alcohol/Vol.

High quality Cab at half the price of a comparable Napa Cab

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, blueberry, plum, blackcurrants, Allspice, cassis, espresso, eucalyptus, pepper, pencil shavings and cigar box. Medium+ body with crisp acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Herb Garlic and Black Pepper Crusted Kansas City cut strip steak.

Tasted: 10 March 2016

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 19/20

Top Pick

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+

LCBO Online: 403980

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CONO SUR SINGLE VINEYARD BLOCK 21 PINOT NOIR 2013, DO San Antonio Valley, Chile

05 Saturday Mar 2016

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cono Sur Pinot

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: San Antonio Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cono Sur Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Well this is a pleasant surprise!  Easy drinking yet full of flavour

Description: Ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked oak, rhubarb, cranberry, dark cherry, raspberry pie, strawberry, cured meat and violets with smoked amber on the nose. Medium+ body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Good balance of sweetness without the typical cloying jammy notes. Nice label. Remember to lightly chill and use the balloon style glassware.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with tuna tartare.

Tasted: 5 March 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 419010

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STREWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

21 Sunday Feb 2016

Posted by Twilight Wines in Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Strewn

Cost: $20.25
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 13.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Love the nose & although a tad astringent the taste is still quite good

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, black & red currants, plum, cassis, cloves, cinnamon, bell pepper, dry herbs, tobacco leaves, leather and purple lilacs on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Decanting for min 30 minutes is recommended to smooth out the astringency.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Red Wine Braised Oxtail.

Tasted: 20 February 2016

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

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

LCBO: 426502

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MAGNOTTA GRAN RISERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012, International & Canada

21 Sunday Feb 2016

Posted by Twilight Wines in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Magnotta Cab

Cost: $29.20 (Sale until 29 Feb 2016: $19.20)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: International & Canada
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Black currants dominate this wine a little too much

Description: Dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, lots of blackcurrant, plums, mulberry, cassis and nutmeg. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity, a fairly long length.

Negatives: One dimensional

Interesting Note: Over priced, even at the sales price

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Bacon and Blue Cheese Burgers.

Tasted: 13 February 2016

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 7.5/10 (Sale price: 8+/10) Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

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PICO and VINE PINOT NOIR 2013, Russian River Valley, California, United States

13 Saturday Feb 2016

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

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Pico & Vine

Cost: $26.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, juicy, not overpowering, well-balanced & delicious

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features pine, cherry, cranberry, plum, pumpkin spice, damp moss and light wood smoke. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity, a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the balloon style glassware and lightly chill.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Smoked Venison Roast.

Tasted: 12 February 2016

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18.5/20

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

LCBO: 438549

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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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