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Twilight Wines

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Twilight Wines

Category Archives: Red Wines

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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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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NEWTON CLARET 2007, Napa County, California, United States

15 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by Twilight Wines in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Newton 2007

Cost: $29.59 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Syrah
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 good representation of Right Bank Bordeaux from Napa

Positives: This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, mulberry, dark cherry, arugula, white pepper & nutmeg. Medium body and tannins, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: Alcohol overwhelms the gentle taste.

Interesting Note: The 2008 was a lot better.

Drink now on its own or pair it with beef Carpaccio.

Tasted: 9 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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BARNETT VINEYARDS TINA MARIA VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2011, Green Valley, Russian River Valley, California, United States

12 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by Twilight Wines in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Barnett Tina Maria

Cost: $44.99
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Total Wines, Florida
Country: United States
Region: Green Valley, Russian River Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Barnett Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light garnet to ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

There’s yummy and there’s YUMMY, this is the later. A good wine to have with my birthday dinner

Positives: This complex wine features pine, purple lilacs, sultana, dark cherry, pomegranates, strawberry, autumn leaves, bacon, pickled beets and cherry pipe tobacco. Medium minus body and tannins with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: One of my favourites, if not the favourite Pinot Noir

Drink now or cellar it for another 7 years on its own or pair it with Rosemary roasted duck.

Tasted: 12 March 2014

Top Pick

Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 19/20

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

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TANDEM PELOTON 2006, Sonoma County, California

10 Monday Mar 2014

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

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Tandem

Cost: $22.00 Cayman Island
Grape Variety: Primarily Pinot Noir 
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Liquor Outlet
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wine Creek Cellars
Alcohol: 14.8% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium minus ruby and garnet with an intense nose.

A juicy & rich Pinot Noir style wine

Positives: This complex wine features pine, violets, strawberry, pomegranates, oyster mushrooms, forest brush, dark cherry, wood smoke, coffee & Rosemary. Medium minus in body, light tannins with good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Tandem combines five red and three white grape varieties. Chill lightly 

Drink now on its own or pair it with Peking duck.

Tasted: 10 January 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

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VAL DELLE ROSE MORELLINO DI SCANSANO 2010, DOCG Maremma, Tuscany, Italy

10 Monday Mar 2014

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

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val-delle-rose-morellino-scansano-362x630

Cost: $21.99 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: Sangiovese
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Maremma, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Morellino Di Scansano
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium to light ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

A new Sangiovese favourite of mine due to its smoothness

Positives: This complex wine features sweet cherry tobacco on the nose, light oak, sour and dark cherry, prunes, boysenberry, white pepper & thyme. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Thanks to Roberto from Blackbeard’s for recommending the wine.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with New York style pizza.

Tasted: 9 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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BERINGER PINOT NOIR 2008, Napa Valley, California, United States

08 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by Twilight Wines in Red Wines

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Beringer Pinot

Cost: $39.95 ($22.25 Clearance)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beringer
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium minus ruby colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Disappointing

Positives: This wine features oak, cherry, raspberry, chocolate & licorice. Light to Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: Sweet baked cherry pie and heat on the finish from the 14.3% alcohol

Drink now on its own or pair it with peppercorn steak.

Tasted: 3 March 2014

Score: 7.5/10, Value: 5/10, Total: 12.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

LCBO: 718668

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MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS GRAND RESERVA 2005, DOC Cariñena, Spain

03 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Monasterio

Cost: $16.95
Grape Variety: 60% Garnacha, 30& Tempranillo, 10% Cariñena
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Cariñena
Format: 750 mL
Producer: San Josè de Aguaròn
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark purple to ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

A rustic wine that will please a discerning palate

Positives: This wine features sandalwood, sour cherry, pine needles, graphite, forest floor, dry herbs, coconut, black currants, leather, arugula, cocoa & allspice. Medium body with dry tannins, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: A touch watery on the finish.

Interesting Point: I prefer the 2006 vintage that is $2 cheaper. See my review 9 July 2013.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with arugula & prosciutto pizza.

Tasted: 24 February 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 82024

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FINCA VILLACRECES PRUNO 2011, Do Ribera Del Duero, Spain

03 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Pruno

Cost: $19.95 (Clearance: 17.75)
Grape Variety: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Ribera Del Duero
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Finca Villacreces
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: 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+

LCBO: 312140

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COYOTE’S RUN BLACK PAW VINEYARD CABERNET FRANC 2010, VQA Four Mile Creek, Ontario, Canada

03 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by Twilight Wines in Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Coyote's Run

Cost: $24.95 (Clearance: 20.25)
Grape Variety: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Coyote’s Run
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

I wish the taste was as good as its aromas/bouquet

Positives: This wine features pine, strawberry, cranberry, pomegranate, wood smoke, green peppers, twigs, leather & cocoa. Medium body with medium+ tannins good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: A little too tart

Interesting Point: The LCBO that I bought this wine discounted on the clearance 30%, so I only paid $14.25

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with meat lasagna.

Tasted: 26 February 2014

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8/10 (Clearance price 8.5, and at what I paid 8.5+/10) Total: 16.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 50450

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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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