Jason Solanki

Nals Margreid Pinot Noir 2013, Doc Alto Adige

8 months in big oak barrels. Plum and sour cherry aromas from the cork. Ripe cherry with dampen earth aromas along with whiffs of ripe plum, clove and charcuterie. On the palate, it's medium-bodied with saliva-inducing acids, soft rounded tannins and flavours of ripe dark cherry, black cherry, sweet spice with beetroot, earth and strawberry flavours emerging on the medium-long finish. Tasted Jan/2016.

Southbrook Triomphe Chardonnay 2014, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Stelvin screw cap. Lifted aromatics that are reductive in style with matchstick most prominent followed by lemon, herbs, buttered popcorn and yellow pear aromas. It's medium-bodied on the palate with clean, refreshing lemony acids. Balanced flavours of lemon, buttered popcorn, herbal and smoky nuances linger on the long finish. This should improve in a year's time as the wine integrates. Tasted Sept/2016.

Fontanafredda Ebbio Nebbiolo 2014, Doc Langhe

Tasted Sept/2018.

Featherstone Black Sheep Riesling 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Lovely medium-high intensity nose has clean orange, citrus and some tropical fruit, mineral, apple and peach notes add complexity. It's fairly light-weighted with a slatey texture and pleasing aroma replays on the medium sweet palate. Bright acids provide freshness, while the finish length is very good. Tasted June/2016.

Norman Hardie Riesling 2015, VQA Ontario

Medium intensity nose shows a slightly reductive quality with aromas of peach, citrus, and orange notes. On the medium-bodied, slightly sweet palate, it has Flintstones vitamins and citrus flavours. It has plush acids and very good length on the finish. Tasted Apr/2016.

Rendola Rosso Di Montalcino 2009, Doc

Lovely aromas feature incense, sweet oak, herbs and cherry of medium-to-high intensity. This mature wine is full-bodied and still shows excellent fruit concentration with pleasing aroma replays that also shows hints of purple fruit. It has balanced acids and finishes long. Tasted Mar/2016.

Quadrus Reserva 2011, Doc Douro

Re-tasted Oct/2019. Score: 90 pts.

Blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Souzao, this has an intense and maturing nose of pretty rose florals, dried cherry and sweet oak that continues on the medium-full bodied palate. Acids are bright and balanced tannins are resolving well. Notable woody notes on the flavour profile linger on the long finish. Tasted Oct/2017. Score: 90+ pts

Domaine De L' Alba L' Ermite 2013, Ac Corbières

This blend of (60%) Carignan, (30%) Grenache, and (10%) Syrah is aged 6 months in concrete vats, followed by 6 months in French oak barrels. Plum and cherry aromas from the cork. An earthy, underbrush, clove nose of medium intensity gives way to brambly, cherry, violet, and spicebox aromas. It's medium-bodied with light, supple tannins that develop texture with air. Appealing on the palate with flavours of herbal, dark cherry, plum, menthol and spice. It has juicy acids, a smooth and silky mouthfeel, and very good length on the finish. Enjoy over the next 3-4 years. Tasted June/2016

Boutari Naoussa Xinomavro 2014, Pdo Naoussa, Macedonia

Medium-high nose featuring graphite, sour cherry and some woody aromas. The palate is medium-full bodied with chalky tannins that could use some cellar time, pleasing savoury aroma replays and good acids. The finish length is very good. Tasted May/2016.

Babich Black Label Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Marlborough, South Island

Medium+ intensity nose has gooseberry, wild herb, green aromas that also come through on the palate with just a hint of sweetness. It has balanced acids and a medium length finish. Tasted May/2015.