Jason Solanki

Wakefield St. Andrews Chardonnay 2015, Single Vineyard Release, Clare Valley, South Australia

Domaine Du Grapillon D'Or Gigondas 2016, Ac

A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, this has all kinds of red berry aromas like ripe, dark red cherry, sappy, cherry liqueur, raspberry, stewed/baked red berry, eventually revealing floral and pepper spice notes. It is medium-full bodied on the palate with very good fruit concentration with more spice, red berry, cherry, and hints of peppery spice flavours. It is structured with chalky tannins, balanced acidity, while the finish length is excellent. Tasted Aug/2019.

Carpineto Brunello Di Montalcino 2012, Docg

Open, fragrant, and highly aromatic nose offers dried berry, cherry, floral and sweet spices. The medium-full bodied palate is rich with nicely integrated tannins, very good acids, and nicely balanced aroma replays, plus hints of wood. The long finish has savoury hints. Just lovely! Tasted Mar/2018.

Le Serre Nuove Dell’ornellaia 2015, Bolgheri

Blend of 64% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 9% Petit Verdot, this Tuscan red blend is highly aromatic with a beautiful bouquet of rose floral, barnyard, earth, and sweet oak spices. It's medium-full bodied with very nice aroma replays on the palate, a touch warm, but well-balanced overall. Acids are very good and lift the slightly grippy tannins. Excellent finish length. Tasted Oct/2017.

Masi Costasera Riserva Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2012, Docg

Stags' Leap Winery Chardonnay 2017, Napa Valley

Tasted Apr/2019. Score: 90+ pts

Domaine Ott By Ott 2018, Ac

An austere, dry rosé with grapefruit, herbs, garrigue aromas of medium intensity. It's medium-full bodied on the structured palate with lovely aroma replays supported by juicy, balanced acidity. Long, dry finish. Tasted Aug/2019.

Valdivieso Éclat 2010, Dry Farmed, Old Vines

A blend of 60-year-old Carignan (80%) and Mourvèdre (20%) that was dry farmed, this has a lovely medium-high intensity nose with pretty floral, clove, purple fruit and sweet spices. The medium-full bodied palate has blackberry, brambly and sweet spice flavours supported by very good acidity and good tannic structure. Finish length is excellent. Best over the next 3-4 years. Tasted Nov/2016. Score: 90+ pts

Spy Valley Envoy Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Johnson Vineyard, Waihopai Valley, Marlborough, South Island

Naturally fermented in French oak for 6-10 months, this has a highly aromatic and complex nose with smoky, flinty, citrusy lemon/lime aromas and hints of herbally and grassy notes. It’s medium-full bodied with lovely smoky, herbaceous, herbally, green pepper flavours, plus hints of white peach. It has a very nice texture with juicy acids and a long, juicy finish. Should continue to drink well over the next 5 years. Tasted Mar. 2020.

Gemtree Uncut Shiraz 2015, Mclaren Vale, South Australia

Screw cap. Lovely fragrant nose of ripe dark berry, blackberry, white pepper, and floral with subtle smokiness, olive tapenade, and meatiness. It's full-bodied and dry with cool minty herbs, medicinal, dark berry, black raspberry flavours. It has juicy, well-balanced acidity, and smooth, well-structured, and fine-grained tannins. Somewhat palate-warming at 14.5% abv, but still well balanced. Black raspberry, pepper spice, and subtle minty notes linger on the long, smoky, minerally finish. Tasted Dec. 2022. Score: 91+ pts