Jason Solanki
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Reviews (3256)
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Wine lover since 2001! My interest in wine began while touring the factory where they printed the LCBO VINTAGES magazine.
Over time, my passion for wine grew. Now, I am highly regarded by friends and colleagues as a resource for when they need a wine for that special occasion, be it an anniversary, birthday, wedding, gatherings at home, or when they want to impress their special friend or the In-Laws.
Combining my interest in the Internet/web/computers, you can find me at https://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com where you will find more wine reviews, events and contests.
Reviews
Black Bank Hill Chardonnay Runway 2023, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore
Ontario, Canada$29.95
Raised entirely in stainless steel, this has a delicate nose of orchard fruit, green apple, and pear, nuanced with leesy minerals in a slightly tangy profile. The medium-full bodied palate is dry and impressively weighted with a lovely texture that supports the citrusy, green apple, peppery spice, savoury earth, and pear flavours. The clean acidity carries the apple, pear, earth, and spice notes through to the long-lasting finish. Tasted May 2025.
3.5 Stars
(123)W
Tornatore Etna Rosso 2021, Doc
Sicily, Italy$24.95
This blend of Nerello Cappuccio and Nerello Mascalese has a fresh, medium to medium-high intensity nose of Morello red cherry, savoury earth, and mineral, plus some spices and sweet herbs adding further interest and complexity. The medium+ to medium-full bodied palate is dry with lovely aroma replays echoing on the palate. Acids are well-balanced, while the tannins are well-structured. Nicely balanced throughout and mildly grippy on the long, textured, and savoury finish. Tasted May 2025.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Attems Cupra Ramato Pinot Grigio 2023, Igt Venezia Giulia
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy$19.95
With about 10 hours of skin contact, this pink-hued Pinot Grigio has fresh, minerally, red-fruited, cherry, strawberry aromas with some dried wild herb characters. It has good weight and concentration on the medium-full bodied, dry palate with pleasingly textured aroma replays supported by fresh acidity. Touch spicy on the mid-palate, while mineral and red berry notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Tasted July 2024.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Catena Malbec High Mountain Vines 2022
Mendoza, Argentina$22.95
100% Malbec. The fragrant, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is slightly reductive with lovely spicy, dark fruit, blackberry, and violet aromas with savoury, earthy undertones. It's dry with very good concentration on the medium+ bodied palate, along with ripe with dark fruited, plummy, blackberry, grapey, and spice flavours accented with savoury earth and violet notes. It's supported by juicy, succulent acidity and smooth, refined, and well-structured tannins. Savoury, peppery, and dark berry notes with hints of mineral linger on the long, gently grippy finish. Tasted Dec. 2024.
3.5 Stars
(1000+)E+(110)O
Tenuta Di Renieri Chianti Classico 2020, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$20.00
Fragrant, medium-high intensity nose is savoury & slightly reductive, which blows off to reveal a lovely, attractive mix of ripe red & black cherries, roses, savoury earth & sweet spice aromas, plus whiffs crushed stone & blackberry adding further complexity. Dry, medium+ bodied palate, sour dark red cherry, black cherry, blackberry, savoury earth & oak spice flavours. Fresh, tangy acidity. Smooth, supportive & elegant tannins have good structure + a touch of grip on back palate. Shows nice balance w/ savoury earth, mineral + oak spice on the long, juicy finish. Tasted Oct. 2024. Score: 90+ pts
3.5 Stars
(0)V
La Chevalière Rasteau 2022, A.O.C. Rasteau
Rhône, France$23.95
Ripe, bright, and lifted nose of medium-high to high intensity delivers lovely red & black raspberry, blackberry, black cherry & spice aromas surrounding a meaty, savoury & mineral core. Olive & Mediterranean herb aromas add further complexity. The dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate has spicy, black & red berry fruited raspberry, cassis, savoury mineral, and earthy flavours w/ some plummy notes. Fresh & tangy acids. Structured, grainy tannins have some chalky grip. Peppery spice w/ savoury earth & stony mineral notes linger on the long, grippy & structured finish. Tasted Oct. 2024.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Colchagua Valley
Colchagua Valley, Chile$22.95
A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, this has a fresh, medium to medium+ intensity nose that is oak spiced with currant, cassis, dark berry, blackberry, and dried herb character. On the dry, medium to medium-full bodied palate it is grippy textured with chalky tannins. Pleasing aroma replays are tangy on the palate, and lifted by very good acidity. Earthy, tobacco, and herbal notes linger on the long finish. Tasted Nov. 2024.
3.5 Stars
(1000+)E+(47)O
Redstone Limestone Vineyard South Riesling 2023, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment
Ontario, Canada$22.95
The medium-high to highly aromatic nose is open and fragrant with lovely ripe peach, stone fruit, citrus, apple, honeyed, and floral aromas. It is off-dry to medium sweet with delicious sweet peach, candied lemon citrus, and honeyed flavours accented with earthy minerals. Stony textured on the mid-palate, along with crisp acidity. Long finishing with stony mineral and leesy notes. Tasted May 2025. Score: 90+ pts
3.5 Stars
(571)V+(5)O
Skouras Wild Ferment Assyrtiko 2023, P.G.I. Peloponnese
Peloponnese, Greece$19.95
<edium-high to highly aromatic nose is elegantly fragrant & enticing w/ savoury & minerally aromas flecked with lemon peel, citrus, white floral, garden herb & grapefruit, with touches of leesy & doughy notes adding further complexity. Impressive concentration on medium-full bodied & dry palate w/ ripe & slightly honeyed flavours of lemon peel, citrus, grapefruit, floral & leesy mineral. Fine, chalky textured mouthfeel, along w/ clean & refreshing acidity. Well-structured & balanced throughout, w/ lovely mineral notes lingering on the long, textured finish. Tasted Nov. 2024. Score: 90+ pts
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Monte Del Frà Tenuta Lena Di Mezzo Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore 2021, Doc
Veneto, Italy$24.95
This blend of Corvina Veronese, Corvinone, and Rondinella has a medium to medium+ intensity nose that is savoury with spices and herbs layered over dark fruit, blackberry, and plum aromas. It's medium-full bodied with smooth, refined tannins with good structure and fresh acidity lifting the pleasing aroma replays in a slightly off-dry (i.e. a touch sweet) flavour profile. Sweet spices and plums carry through to the finish, with very good length. Tasted May 2024. Score: 90+ pts
3.5 Stars
(1000+)V+(29)O