Jason Solanki
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Reviews (3498)
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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
Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva Docg 2021, Castelnuovo Berardenga
Tuscany, Italy$49.95
Crafted with 100% Sangiovese, this has a lovely, medium-high intensity nose of dark red berry, dark cherry, raspberry, perfumed floral, and sweet spices. On the medium-full bodied palate it is dry with lovely spiced replays alongside dark fruit and dark cherry flavours supported by tangy acidity. Supple tannins are a touch grippy. Earth and spice notes take you to the finish, with excellent length. Tasted May 2026.
4.5 Stars
(118)W
Palmer Brut Réserve Champagne
Champagne, France$87.95
Rich and elegantly fragrant, the medium-high to highly aromatic nose has a lovely, complex mix of biscuit, toasty, brioche, autolytic, lemon citrus, and pear/apple aromas, plus leesy mineral accents. The mid-weighted palate is crisp and refreshing with lovely autolytic, lemon citrus, brioche, toasty, pear, and apple replays on the flavour profile. It has an elegant mouthfeel with crisp acidity and a fine bead of bubbles. Harmonious and well-balanced throughout with fine citrus, toasty, and leesy mineral notes joined by white florals on the long, crisp, and elegant finish. Tasted Dec. 2024.
4.5 Stars
(30)
Shunka Shusetsu Echizen Junmai Ginjo Sake, Japan (720ml)
Japan, World$28.95
Crafted with rice polished to 50% of the grain and enclosed by screw cap, this has a fragrant, intense, and concentrated nose of rice and mineral aromas with a hint of jasmine. It's light-to-mid-weighted, but gains volume and concentration in the mouth. Dry with peppery spicy and mineral flavours supported by racy acidity, which give way to rice and jasmine flavours. A touch warming, with well-balanced mineral, rice, and peppery spice notes lingering on the long, succulent, and crisp finish. Enjoy this recommended buy well-chilled. Tasted Mar. 2025.
4.5 Stars
(61)
Patrick Lesec Galets Blonds Châteauneuf-du-pape 2017, Ac
Rhône, France$60.95
Rich, medium-high intensity aromas deliver ripe blackberry, raspberry, and smoky crushed rocks with touches of pepper spice. It's medium-full to full-bodied on the palate with lovely aroma replays joined by some dried herb and gentle oak spice flavours. Good fruit concentration holds up well to the slightly warming alcohol, lifted by mouthwatering acidity. Fine-grained, slightly chalky tannins are nicely textured. Stony mineral, wood spice, and blackberry notes linger on the long finish, with excellent length. Tasted Sept/2020.
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Bachelder Wismer Foxcroft Gamay Noir Niagara Cru 14% Whole Cluster 2022, VQA Twenty Mile Bench
Ontario, Canada$32.00
34% whole cluster. The fresh, medium to medium-high intensity nose offers a lovely nose of crunchy red berry, currant, and spice aromas, along with some stony minerality, plus herbs. It's medium-full bodied with very good concentration and weight on the dry palate. Lovely peppery, raspberry, cran-cherry, and currant flavours dance on the palate. Mild oak spice on the mid-palate, alongside crisp, well-balanced acidity, and supple, fine tannins. Herbal notes join the party on the long finish. Tasted May 2025. Score: 92+ pts
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Clemens Busch Nonnengarten Pündericher Ortswein Riesling 2016, Vdp
Mosel, Germany$37.95
Sourced from red slate soils on extremely steep slopes, this Riesling has a gorgeous, medium-high intensity and finely balanced aromatic nose with honeyed, waxy, citrus, and peach characters. The crunchy, fruity palate is fairly sweet with lovely aroma replays supported by juicy, bright acidity. Slightly chalky mineral textured on the mid-palate. Excellent length that tapers to a dry finish. Tasted Jan/2020.
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Brigaldara Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2022, Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore D.O.C.
Veneto, Italy$22.95
Blend of 55% Corvina, 25% Corvinone, and 20% Rondinella. Medium+ intensity nose of macerated cherry, dark spices, savoury wood spice, and ripe black cherry aromas, plus hints of strawberry. The dry, medium-full bodied palate is very smooth with refined tannins and good structure, along with crisp and juicy acidity. It has nicely balanced aroma replays on the ripe and vaguely sweet fruited flavour profile. A touch tight on the mid-palate, with juicy and crisp acidity, while the nicely balanced sweet cherry and wood spice notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Tasted Aug. 2025.
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Inniskillin Niagara Estate Gold Vidal Icewine 2023, Niagara Peninsula (375ml)
Ontario, Canada$99.95
The elegantly sweet, medium-high intensity nose delivers enticing aromas of mango, citrus, lemon, and peach accented with sweet vanilla and honey. All the aromas come through on the richly concentrated, lusciously sweet, and delicious palate, with notable vanilla notes. It is well-structured and well-balanced with lovely, vibrant acidity. Tasty, lingering peach, apricot, and citrus notes taper to dry on the fresh and exceptionally long finish. Tasted Oct. 2025.
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Lornano Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2012, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$45.95
Made with 85% Sangiovese and 15% Merlot that spent 30 months in new oak barrels, this has a fairly intense and maturing nose of sweet spice with hints of dried cherry and floral, and forest floor aromas. It's medium-full bodied with good fruit concentration and balanced, juicy acids. Very nice aroma replays on the palate, joined by hints of leather. Excellent length on the finish, if a touch hot. Tasted Oct/2019.
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Torres Salmos 2021, Doca Priorat
Priorat, Spain$39.95
This blend of 55% Cariñena and 45% Garnacha has a fresh, but somewhat reserved nose of medium to medium-high intensity with aromas of bright red berry, cherry, savoury stony mineral, and touches of sweet spices and clove. It's medium-full bodied, dry, and well-structured on the palate with crisp and refreshing acidity. Lovely aroma replays on the flavour profile. A touch grippy on the mid-palate, which leads to a dry, savoury, and slightly youthful finish, with excellent length. Tasted Oct. 2025.
4.5 Stars
(8)V