Jason Solanki
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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
El Enemigo El Mirador Bonarda 2020, Single Vineyard Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$24.30
Ripe, fragrant, and focused, the medium-high intensity nose offers plummy, dark berry, blackberry, medicinal herbs, and oak spice aromas. On the medium+ bodied, dry, and spicy palate it has lovely dark berry, blackberry, and plum replays joined by stony mineral and savoury oak flavours. It's framed with crisp, juicy acidity and fine-grained, nicely textured tannins with good structure. There's a slightly chalky grip on the back palate, while savoury mineral, dark berry, and plum notes linger on the long, elegant finish. Tasted Sept. 2024.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Catena Cabernet Sauvignon High Mountain Vines 2022, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$22.95
Fragrant, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is dark fruited & plummy w/ blackberry, black currant, savoury oak spice & earthy aromas w/ hints of purple fruit. It's dry, medium-full bodied & ripe on the palate w/ plummy black fruit, blackberry, currant, savoury earth & oak spice flavour replays supported by clean, juicy acidity & smooth, refined, integrated & well-structured tannins. Some cassis, sweet black fruits & peppery spice add interest on mid-palate, while savoury earth, black fruit & peppery notes linger on long, balanced & slightly chalky-grippy textured finish. Tasted Dec. 2024.
3.5 Stars
(1000+)E+(106)O
Heaphy Pinot Gris 2023, Nelson, South Island
Nelson, New Zealand$19.95
The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose is attractive with freshly squeezed lemon citrus and lemon peel aromas joined by grapefruit, pear & touches of floral, pithy and mineral notes adding complexity and interest. It has good weight on the dry, fleshy, medium-full bodied palate with delicious, honeyed flavours of pear, apple, lemon citrus & grapefruit flavours. There's a kiss of sweetness, along with spice notes on the mid-palate. Clean acids are well-balanced and juicy. It's gently spicy with flor & leesy mineral notes lingering on the long, dry, and finely textured finish. Tasted Nov. 2024.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Stratus Alto 2023, VQA Niagara On The Lake, Sustainable, Vegan
Ontario, Canada$28.95
This blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Semillon, Syrah, and Sangiovese has a fresh, medium-high intensity nose that is fruity and ripe with red berry, currant, cassis, and black raspberry aromas. It's medium-full bodied and dry with supple textured and rounded tannins with currant, jelly, blackberry, cassis, and some citrusy flavours. It has fresh, juicy, and crisp acidity, alongside a textured mid-palate. Currant and savoury earth notes linger on the lengthy finish. Tasted May 2025. Score: 90+ pts
3.5 Stars
(45)V
Cave Du Château Des Loges Les 3 Madones Côte De Brouilly 2022, Ac
Beaujolais, France$21.95
This Gamay has a fresh and perfumed nose off lovely red floral, cran-cherry, raspberry, currant, cassis, and spice aromas. On the dry, medium to medium+ bodied palate it has a pleasant, creamy mouthfeel with lovely aroma replays that echo on the flavour profile. It has very good acidity and gentle, rounded tannins. A touch spicy on the long, nicely balanced finish. Tasted Oct. 2024.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Rémy Ferbras Terre De Mistral Plan De Dieu Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2022, Ap
Rhône, France$17.95
This blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre has a fragrant, open & medium-high intensity nose that offers ripe, lush & complex aromas of black raspberry, scorched earth, smoky mineral, red plum, black cherry, blackberry & spice notes. On the crisp, dry, medium+ bodied palate, it has lovely, ripe black raspberry, red plum, cherry, peppery spice, red licorice & mineral flavours. Juicy, succulent acidity & supple, lightly chalky tannins w/ good structure. Gently tangy on mid-palate, while lovely smoky mineral & touches of spice notes linger on the long, savoury finish. Tasted Nov. 2024.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant 2022, Central Coast
California, Usa$21.95
Blend of 61% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Cinsault, and 4% Petite Sirah. The open, fragrant, medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers a lovely bouquet of red berry, cherry, raspberry, savoury earth, and black cherry aromas with smoky undertones and touches of mineral. It's medium-bodied and dry with very nicely balanced aroma replays joined by touches of spice. It has crisp, well-balanced acidity and smooth, light tannins. Nicely balanced with savoury earth notes lingering on the long, fresh finish. Tasted Jan. 2025.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Montes Angel Zapallar Vineyard Brut Sparkling, Valle Del Aconcagua, Chile, Traditional Method
Aconcagua Valley, Chile$19.25
This blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay seems a bit quiet on the nose, offering glimpses of perfumed citrusy, lemon, and green apple aromas. It has good weight and concentration on the medium-full bodied palate that is essentially dry and bursting with lovely lemon citrus, apple, and orchard fruit flavours, plus touches of biscuit, brioche, and toasty notes adding complexity. It has crisp and refreshing acidity, along brilliant mousse, while hints of autolytic notes add elegance on the mid-palate. Finishes long and crisp. Tasted Nov. 2024.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Altanza Reserva 2017, D.O.Ca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$21.95
This 100% Tempranillo has a modern, medium-high intensity nose of vanilla, oak spice, and tobacco wrapped around a core of red berry, cherry, and blackberry aromas, all of which come through on the nicely on the mid-weighted and dry palate. It has very good acidity and is supported by supple, well-structured tannins. Earthy notes linger on the long, juicy finish. Tasted Sept. 2023.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Lakeview Traditional Method Sparkling Brut 2020, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$40.00
This blend of 55% Chardonnay and 45% Pinot Noir spent 36 months on its lees. It has an elegant, medium-high intensity nose of classic pear, apple, citrus, autolytic, and brioche aromas, along with hints of pastry. The mouthfeel exudes elegance with finely beaded bubbles and acidity on a nicely textured palate. Dry with lovely, well-balanced and complex flavours of pear, lemon citrus, savoury leesy, brioche, apple, and toasty spice. Very nicely structured on the long, well-balanced finish. Tasted June 2025. Score: 93+ pts
3.5 Stars
(199)W