Jason Solanki

Masi Costasera Riserva Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2012, Docg

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.

Hardys Eileen Hardy Shiraz 2003, Mclaren Vale, South Australia

2005 vintage. Big, Australian fruit bomb with an explosion of red and black fruit aromas and flavours. Some mintyness arrives towards the finish. Still evident tannins will reward another 2-3 years ageing, or decant prior to serving today. Tasted May/2012.

Bachelder Wismer Vineyard #2 "foxcroft Block" Chardonnay 2013

Medium+ intensity aromas are minerally with warm, rich, and ripe apple and pear notes. The palate is lean and tight with clean, balanced aroma replays, plus some buttery notes on the flavour profile. It has crisp, balanced acidity and excellent finish length. Tasted Oct/2016.

Château Des Charmes Chardonnay Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard 2007, Niagara Peninsula

Smoky, mineral and butter aromas. Very smooth on the palate with butter, melon and mineral notes. Full-bodied. Tasted June 2012.

La Ferme Du Mont Côtes Jugunda Gigondas 2013, Ap

This red wine is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, showing medium+ intensity aromas of purple fruit, pepper, plum and hint of meatiness. On the palate, it's medium-to-full bodied with balanced acids and pepper, spice and licorice notes. It has medium-to-firm chalky tannins that would benefit from 2-3 years bottle ageing, but drinking well now. Good structure. Finishes long with violet notes. Tasted July/2015.

Southbrook Estate Grown Small Lot Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2013, Four Mile Creek

Ripe pear, green apple and hints of butter aromas from the cork. Elegant bouquet of coconut, pear, Golden apple, with hints of honeycomb and white flower. The palate is medium-bodied and dry with vibrant acidity and honey-tinged aromas replays. A saline note comes through mid-palate. Finishes long with mineral, honey, apple, floral and vanilla aftertaste. Some intriguing coffee notes emerge as it warms up in the glass. Lots going on in this yummy Chardonnay. Eminently drinkable now and should be better in a couple of years. Tasted Dec/2015.

Poggio Verrano Dròmos 2005, Igt Maremma Toscana

This Super Tuscan is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Alicante, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc and underwent malolactic fermentation. Lovely mature nose of violets, dried fruit, and floral with hints of fig, cedar wood, earth and whiffs of prune. On the medium-bodied palate it has earthy, herbal, and resin notes with hints of mint and leather throughout. Some high-toned spice tones and warmth mid-palate is balanced well by fruit, oak and acids and gives way to long, smooth finish. Tannins are almost fully resolved. Should continue to drink well for 4-5 years. Superb! Tasted Nov/2015

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley

Blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, and 3% Merlot. Medium-to-high, slightly jammy aromas of plum, black cherry, and sweet oak. On the palate, it's medium-to-full bodied with rich, silky tannins and flavours of mint, cassis, black licorice and vanillan tones. The acids are mouth-watering, while the finish is long and has hints of minerality. A rich wine that should drink well over the next 5-6 years. Tasted Oct/2015.

Henry Of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Cabernet/merlot 2012, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment

Medium-high intensity aromatics featuring currant, cassis, and oak with a touch of evergreen. It's medium-full bodied with gentle tannins that provide some structure. Acids are still quite bright. The finish length is excellent. Tasted Apr/2017.