Jason Solanki

Diamandes Perlita Malbec/Syrah 2011, Uco Valley

Blend of 85% Malbec and 15% Syrah. Medium+ aromas with fresh herbal, mineral, dark fruits notes. Full bodied with flavours of sweet tobacco, licorice, green/herbal and slightly earthy. Has bright acids, medium-level tannins and a long, warm finish. Tasted Apr/2014.

Union Noir 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Screw cap. Blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay Noir. Medium intensity aromas of sour cherry, cranberry, cedar oak, and hints of earth. It's lightweighted with good acids and pleasant, savoury aroma replays. Taut tannins. Interesting finish that is long and smooth, warm, and has a kiss of sweetness. Serve lightly chilled. Tasted Mar/2014.

http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2014/03/union-wines-tasting.html

Trivento Amado Sur Malbec/Bonarda/Syrah 2012, Mendoza

This blend of 80% Malbec, 10% Bonarda and 10% Syrah has medium-high intensity aromas of new oak, fresh leather and black fruits with much of the same on the medium-to-full bodied palate. Also has some spice notes. Balanced acids, chalky tannins could use another couple of years to integrate further, while the finish is long. Tasted Apr/2014.

Pascual Toso Malbec 2013

Screw cap. Medium intensity aromas of plum, blackberry and blackcherry which replay nicely on the medium-bodied palate. Mineral and oak also show up on the dry flavour profile. Fruit-forward. Refreshing acids and ripe, integrated tannins and a clean finish make this a very good weekday wine. Tasted Aug/2014. Score: 88+ pts

Troupis Fteri Moschofilero 2013, Igp Arcadia

Very pale yellow colour, almost clear white. Fragrant aromatics that show floral, citrus, peach and some lychee and herbal notes as it warms up. The palate is medium-bodied and creamy with balanced acids. Flavour profile consists of floral, white peach and hints of orange. Initial kiss of sweetness tapers off into the dry spectrum. Decent length on the finish. A very good introduction to the grape. Tasted Apr/2015.

Benmarco Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Nose seemed closed but showed cassis, oak, and red currant aromas. Medium-full bodied and fruit-forward with simple red & black fruits on the palate. Integrated tannins with balanced acids and a medium-length finish. Tasted Apr/2014.

Heinrich Vollmer Altum Spätburgunder Dry 2008, Qualitätswein

This mature Pinot Noir has medium-high balanced rustic aromas of cherry, oak spices and light hints of earthy-smokiness. On the palate, it's medium-weighted dried cherry, black cherry and integrated oak flavours. It has dusty tannins, very good acids and a lengthy finish. Tasted July/2015.

Fred Loimer Lois Grüner Veltliner 2013

Medium+ intensity aromas featuring an earthy and mineral-driven nose with hints of brettyness. Also has fresh aromas of lime. Lively acids and finishing long with more mineral and lime flavours. Nicely balanced. Tasted Nov/2014.

Winzergenossenschaft Königschaffhausen Pinot Noir Rosé 2013, Qba Königschaffhauser Vulkanfelsen

Fresh aromas of medium+ intensity with a nose of strawberry, rose, cherry and grapefruit. It's light-to-medium bodied and off-dry on the palate with more grapefruit, cherry and hints of honey flavours. Very fresh mouthfeel with zippy, refreshing acids. Good length on the finish. Tasted Aug/2014.

Radio Boka 2012, Valencia

Screw cap. Medium+ intensity nose with aromas of deli meats, cherry, strawberry and hints of milk chocolate. Full bodied with big, plumpy tannins. Plum, dark cherry, pruney and hint of cassis flavour profile. Green pepper notes develop with time. Slightly sweet, with good acids and a medium-long, slightly warm finish. Pretty good for $11. Tasted July/2014.