Jason Solanki

Mission Hill Quatrain 2009, BC VQA Okanagan Valley

Blend of 35% Merlot, 30% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Cabernet Franc. Very nice aromas of dark fruits, blackberries, blackcurrants and (French) oak. Full bodied with good structure. It's very smooth with blackcurrant, dark cherry, ripe dark fruits on the palate. Refined tannins are well-integrated. Well-balanced with a long finish and hints of sweet fruit. Very approachable right now, but could be cellared another 1-2 years. Gorgeous! Tasted Jan/2013.

Loan Wines Special Reserve Semillon 2004, Unoaked, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Screw cap. Complex aromas of orange, tropical fruits, tea leaf, and beeswax. Medium-full bodied with an oily and very creamy texture. Palate is ever-so-slightly off-dry (slightly sweet) and has tropical fruits, tea and beeswax flavours. Smooth, lengthy finish that is slightly tart, bitter and extra dry. For a 2004, this is drinking very well, but drink this yummy white now. It's different. I enjoyed it! Tasted Sept/2013.

Konzelmann Vidal Icewine 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula (200ml)

Effervescent apricot, peach and honey aromas of strong intensity. Gorgeous aroma replays on the palate with hints and melon and ginger. Balanced with very good acidity and notes of apricot and melon on the very long finish. Yummy! Tasted Jan/2014.

Taurino Riserva Salice Salentino 2009

Blend of 80% Negromaro and 20% Malvasia Nera. Plum, cherry and slight prune aromas from the cork. Medium nose with cherry, black fruits, graphite and pronounced horse/barnyard as it warmed up in the glass. Medium+ bodied with smooth palate and red cherry, earth and spice notes. Has fresh acidity along with jucy, crunchy and firm tannins. Smooth, medium-long finish with hints of cocoa. Could be aged another 1-2 years, but drinking great now. Delicious. Tasted Mar/2014. Score: 89+ pts

Flat Rock Nadja's Vineyard Riesling 2012, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula

High intensity aromas of lime, wax, petrol and beeswax from the glass with lovely aroma replays on the palate. It's medium-bodied and dry with a hint of sweetness and a medium-long finish. Tasted Sept/2013.

Mission Hill Perpetua Osoyoos Vineyard Estate 2010, BC VQA Okanagan Valley

Made using 3 different Chardonnay clones, and uses French oak for fermentation and ageing. Medium-intensity and subtle aromas of butterscotch and oak. Slightly creamy texture on the medium-full body with restrained notes of oak, plus some butter and apple flavours. Spicy mid-palate lingers through the very long finish. Tasted Sept/2013.

All wines from Mission Hill tasting:
http://www.winealign.com/user-list/cono_sur/2013-09-16-nwac-mission-hill

13th Street June's Vineyard Riesling 2011, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula

Screw cap. Lovely lemon/lime, petrol, mineral, and citrus aromas from the glass. Medium-bodied with apricot, citrus, orchard fruit and stony minerality palate. It's off-dry with lively acidity. Finely balanced with stony and slightly tart finish that lingers. Highly recommended. Tasted Apr/2014.

Hidden Bench Chardonnay 2011, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula

Toasty apple, pear and oak aromas. Medium-bodied with an oily texture. Palate is pleasurably consistent with aromas. Balanced throughout with refreshing acidity and a long finish. Tasted Oct/2013.

Bachelder Saunders Vineyard Chardonnay 2011, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula

Highly aromatic and shows apple, pear and oak notes. Crisp aroma replays are fruit-driven on the palate. Hints of spice on the long finish. Good balance overall. Tasted Oct/2013.

Domaine Queylus Tradition Pinot Noir 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Aromas of medium+ intensity with red berry and currant notes. It's medium-bodied on the palate with beetroot and tilled earth flavours. Has very good acids and lengthy finish. Tasted Oct/2014.