Jason Solanki

Spier 21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Wo Stellenbosch

Fairly intense nose offers complex grilled herb, leafy, evergreen, black currant, spice and cassis aromas. The full-bodied palate is dense and structured with firm tannins and mouth-watering acids. Lovely aroma replays on the flavour profile, plus some tobacco leaf and green pepper notes. Tinges of graphite on the long finish. Tasted July/2019.

De Wetshof Finesse Lesca Estate Chardonnay 2018, Wo Robertson

Appealing, elegant aromatics are a touch reductive, followed by complex smoky apple, pear, mealy, hay, and a hint of pineapple. The medium-full bodied offers much of the same on the flavour profile. It has a nice, clean texture with vibrant and crisp acids. Some sweet spice notes on the mid-palate and continuing through to the long finish. Tasted July/2019.

La Cadiérenne Cuvée Grande Tradition Bandol Rosé 2018, Ac

Clean, fresh and fragrant nose of grapefruit, citrus, herb, and garrigue aromas with hints of stony mineral. It is medium-full bodied on the palate with plenty of fruit and structure that is supported by crisp, juicy, mouth-watering acidity. It's dry on the flavour profile with lovely floral, peach blossom, grapefruit, red berry notes and a spicy mid-palate. There's a fine mineral note that lingers on the long, succulent finish. Nicely textured and well-balanced throughout. An excellent buy to enjoy over the next couple of years. Tasted July/2019.

Southbrook Vineyards Organic Triomphe Riesling 2016, Niagara Peninsula

Jean Max Roger La Grange Dimiere Sancerre Rosé 2017, Ac

In the glass, this has clean, fresh aromas of citrus, strawberry, melon, tropical fruit with hints of mineral and red berry, with very good intensity. The palate is medium-full bodied and dry, leading with fine saline minerality joined by citrus, melon, tropical fruit and hints of strawberry flavours. Acids are tart, crisp, very juicy, and lip-smackingly fresh. Finely balanced throughout with berry and citrus flavours lingering on the long finish. Tasted July/2018.

Auntsfield Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Southern Valleys

Open, fragrant, highly aromatic nose shows lovely grassy, herbal, gooseberry, and green apple aromas with touches of melon and guava. It's medium+ bodied with good weight to the crunchy fruit and supported by fresh, vibrant acids. Nicely balanced aroma replays plus minerally hints on the textured palate. Excellent length on the long, balanced finish. Tasted Jan/2020.

Château Vitallis Vieilles Vignes Pouilly Fuissé 2017

The elegant nose offers lovely, buttery, apple, and pear aromas with subtle smoky-flinty mineral notes adding complexity. On the medium-full bodied palate it has very good fruit concentration and very nice aromas replays. Some spice notes arrive on the vibrant mid-palate. Excellent length on the long minerally and stone fruit finish with touches of vanilla. Tasted Jan/2020.

Château De Fontaine Audon Sancerre 2018

From silex soils, this Sauvignon Blanc has a medium+ intensity nose that is flinty-stony-minerally with ripe stone fruit, citrus and apple notes adding interest. The palate is medium+ bodied with very good structure and weight to the fruit. Lovely aroma replays on the flavour profile, plus white peach notes. It has juicy, vibrant acidity, while the long, elegant finish is flinty with lemon pith and citrus characters. Tasted Jan/2020.

Airfield Estates Runway Merlot 2015, Yakima Valley

Tasted Jan/2020.

Carpineto Riserva Chianti Classico 2015, Docg, Italy

A blend of mostly Sangiovese grown at 300 metres above sea level, this has a medium-intensity nose that is savoury with Cedar wood, clove spice, and earthy aromas. It's medium+ bodied with supple, textured tannins that become quite grippy on the mid-palate. Savoury, dark berry and clove spice flavours continue on the palate. Long and savoury with wood notes on the finish. Tasted Jan/2020.