Paul Forget

D'arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2007, Mclaren Vale

This Shiraz opens up with aromas of ripe berry fruit, black plums, black currants, violet, mint, cedar and savoury notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied (14.5% alcohol) rich and fruit driven with good acidity and grainy tannins. This wine will leave you with a very good impression, long finish with layers of creamy richness, fined grained tannins and savoury notes lingering. This Shiraz is well structured and very tasty, drinking well right now but has all the elements to improve over the next 3-4 years. Very enjoyable, enjoyed August 2012.

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Coonawarra, South Australia

Marziano Abbona Terlo Ravera Barolo 2005, Docg

Mas Igneus Barranc Dels Closos 2006, Vinyes De Coster, Doca Priorat

Mission Hill Compendium 2009, BC VQA Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley

Burge Family Olive Hill 2006, Barossa Valley, South Australia

This wine opened up with aromas of blueberry, black cherry, savoury spices, clove, black pepper, tobacco and mocha. On the mouthfeel, full bodied with generous fruit concentration, velvet and creamy texture, balance acidity and silky tannins. This Rhône blend finish is long, peppery, rich flavours and so smooth. A beautifully complex, well structured and balanced wine, even with alcohol at 15.8% (the alcohol is barely noticeable). It would have been interesting to taste this wine 2 years ago, Burge Family Olive Hill 2006 is delicious right now or continue to cellar for 2-3 years. Very enjoyable, enjoyed in August 2012.

Marqués De Murrieta Finca Ygay Reserva 2006, Doca Rioja

An intriguing and mature bouquet on this Rioja, with aromas of wild berries, plums, dried strawberry, Moroccan spices, sandalwood, floral and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied with bright flavours, smooth texture, great acidity and fine grainy tannins. This wines finish is long, with great energy, flavourful, with a little bit of alcohol heat lingering. For me, this wine hits all the right notes, starting with a very sensuous bouquet, beautiful, well structured mouthfeel and a long flavourful, smooth and elegant finish. Drinking well now but should improve with a further 2-3 years in bottle. The quality/price ratio is well in your favour.

San Fabiano Calcinaia Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Igt Toscana

Wow, a big wine for sure, almost black in color. The palate is complex with black cherries, dark plums, currents, pencil shaving, leather and earthy. Full bodied, with monster tannins and good acidity. Long earthy, austere tannins and a bit tart on the finish. Nice wine now but will be much better in two or three years.

Blue Mountain Pinot Noir 2011, Okanagan Valley

This wine is 100% Pinot Noir from 5 to 27 year old vines. Over 50% of this vintage was fermented with wild yeast, with maturation in French oak for 10 months and alcohol at 12.5%

This wine opened up with a sumptuous bouquet of ripe berry fruit, red currants, savoury spices, light floral and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, light to medium bodied with a silky smooth texture, a delicious spicy, sweet and sour fruit profile, fresh acidity and fine grained tannins. Very nice finish on this Pinot, quite consistent, smooth with spicy fruit flavours and an underlying minerality. This is a very elegant Pinot Noir, loved the low alcohol, minimum amount of oak, very feminine and pretty.

Jean Luc Colombo Les Lauves Saint Joseph 2007, Ac

Subdued on the nose. Mouth feel of dark fruit, white pepper and smoky. Lack of complexity, not a lot of fruit here, fresh acidity and well integrated tannins. To simple of a wine for $31.95. Something is not quite right here; this wine may have been slightly oxidized.