Jason Solanki

Artemivske Victory Red Semi Sweet Sparkling, Ukraine

Medium intensity nose is gently spicy, followed by macerated black cherry, dark berry, milk chocolate, cocoa, dark plum, cassis, and currant aromas. It's mid-weighted and gently sweet with black cherry, plummy, dark berry, savoury spices, and chocolate flavours supported by gently frothy mousse and bright acidity that tempers the sweetness. Quite harmonious and balanced throughout, even some sense of elegance, while savoury cocoa and milk chocolate notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Tasted Dec. 2024. Score: 88+ pts

Cave Du Château Des Loges Les 3 Madones Beaujolais Villages 2022, Ac

The ripe, fresh, fragrant & medium-high intensity nose is fruit forward with crunchy, mostly red & some black fruits, red currant, black cherry, cassis & spice aromas with flecks of mineral. The dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate is ripe and fruity with black and red cherry, currant, cranberry & spice flavours. It has fresh, lively, and well-structured acidity, while the impressively textured tannins have good weight and presence. Finely balanced with black cherry, cranberry, currant & spice notes tapering to minerals on the somewhat grippy, youthful & lengthy finish. Tasted Jan. 2025.

Chakana Bonarda 2007, Mendoza

Made with 'Bonarda' grapes, this wine has sweet, ripe, dark fruit, earth and light oak aromas. Raspberry, milk chocolate flavours. Light-medium bodied. Ripe. Starts off extremely dry, and fruit comes forward at mid-length. Very dry and tasty. Tasted Jan/2011.

Candor Lot 7 Zinfandel, Lodi

A blend of grapes from Paso Robles and Lodi appellations, from the 2008 (6%), 2009 (78%) and 2010 (16%) vintages. Smells very green with ripe fruits and sour cherry aromas. Medium-bodied, slightly off-dry with notes of raisins, red plums and is slightly jammy. Good acidity with medium-length finish. Tasted Feb/2013.

Château Des Charmes Old Vines Cabernet/Merlot 2005, VQA Niagara On The Lake, Estate Btld.

2007 vintage. Sweet cedar, vanilla and dark fruit aromas. Has luscious flavours of coconut, cedar and currants. Very nice, integrated tannins in this full-bodied red wine. Tasted Jan/2013.

2007 vintage. Aromas of barnyard and dark fruit with replays on the palate, some chocolate notes. Very dry with chalky tannins. Needs time. Tasted June/2012.

2006 vintage. Notes of currant, cassis, mint, oak and chocolate. Smooth and silky tannins make their presence felt. Tastes expensive. Tasted Jan/2012.

Yalumba Shiraz/Viognier 2006, Barossa, South Australia

This red wine has fresh blueberries, blackberries, white pepper, herbal aromas that follow through on the palate. Finishing with dark chocolate on the medium-long finish. Fine tannins. Well-integrated wine. Aged well and could have been aged another 2-3 years, but is definitely ready to drink now. No decanting necessary.

13th Street Gamay Noir 2008, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Black cherry, burnt toast, smoke, raspberry and some vanilla aromas. Black cherry, raspberry, menthol flavours. Touch of acidity at mid-length, finishes smooth with some bitterness. Medium-bodied. Some light tannins make it ageable, but definitely ready to drink now. Tasted Feb/2011.

Two Oceans Shiraz 2010

Screw cap. Nose seems closed with ripe red fruits, pepper and oak with more of the same on the palate. Some sweet overtones. Medium-full bodied with crunchy, ripe tannins. Quite nice. A great value at $9.95. Tasted Mar/2012.

Château D'argan 2008, Ac Médoc

Cassis, blackberry and black cherry notes. Some fine tannins remain, could have been aged for 1-2 years, but definitely enjoyable now. Dry, medium-bodied. Very good! Tasted March/2011.

Chateau Des Charmes Aligote, Estate Bottled 2009, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Crisp apple, floral, grassy. A tinge of butter. Light, easy drinking white wine reminds me of a cross between Sauvignon Blanc and an unoaked Chardonnay. Quite nice. Tasted Jan/2012.