Paul Forget

Domaine Du Chardonnay Chablis 2009, Ac

A beautiful greeny straw colour with aromas of lemon-lime citrus fruit, green apple, honeydew melon and hints of minerals. The palate has loads of energy and length, steely and minerals notes with good balance between fruit and racy acidity. On the finish this Chardonnay is long, pure and refreshing like a good New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with a clean citrusy taste. I paired this wine with roasted chicken and it work beautifully.

Domaine Le Clos Des Cazaux La Tour Sarrasine Gigondas 2010

Swanson Oakville Merlot 2006, Napa Valley (375ml)

This 100% Merlot has a classic aroma of cherry, plum, blackberry, cedar, toast and a hint of spices. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied (with alcohol coming in at 14.8%), rich and concentrated flavours, well structured by balance acidity and fined grained tannins. Good energy on the finish with soft seductive fruit and cedar and smoke flavours lingering. Time in bottle (375ml bottle also helping) has allowed this wine to come together nicely, somewhere between the style of a California Merlot and Right Bank Bordeaux. What you get from this Merlot is elegance, great flavours and texture, drinking at its best right now. You must remember the movie Sideways line, "I am not drinking any f..... Merlot", well if you are not drinking Swanson Oakville Merlot 2006, you are missing something good. Strongly recommended, enjoyed in June 2012.

Domaine Les Grands Bois Cuvée Philippine Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2010, Ac

Deep purple in color, this Rhône blend opened up with an attractive bouquet of cherry, plumy-blackberry fruit, wood smoke, sweet spices and cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, with flavours of dark fruit, strawberry jam and savoury spices, balance acidity and fine grained tannins. Medium finish, not particularly complex but the flavours are very nice and the texture is pure velvet. This is a very smooth, harmonious, easy drinking wine, made to please and at this price, strongly recommended.

Hewitson Miss Harry 2009, Barossa Valley, South Australia

This is a much lighter style of wine from the Barossa Valley, a Rhône blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Shiraz, 5% Mourvèdre with the balance 2.5% equal portion of Cinsault and Carignan. This wine opens up with aromas of strawberry, blueberry, stewed rhubarb, herb de Provence, white pepper and medicinal notes. The palate has loads of energy and length, light-medium bodied (14% alc.), bright acidity and soft tannins. Medium length with lively red berry flavours on the finish. Enjoyable but not what I was expecting from Barossa.

Bodegas Olarra Cerro Añon Gran Reserva 2004, Doca Rioja

This wine opens up with aromas of blackberry, dark cherry, stewed plums, vanilla and spice. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, intensely flavourful with balance acidity and silky tannins. This Rioja finish is long with a rich combination of fruit, toasty oak and a creamy Cherry Blossom texture. This Gran Reserva is made in a more modern style (sweeter with toasty oak characteristic) and even if I prefer a more traditional style of Gran Reserva (dryer with more rustic and dusty tannins). I really enjoyed this wine. It was very flavourful and the sweetness and toasty oak are not overdone, but well integrated at this point. Strongly recommended, enjoyed June 2012.

Mapema Malbec 2009, Mendoza

This Malbec is almost too easy to drink. This wine opens up with aromas of black fruit, blackcurrant jam, mint, cedar and soft leather notes. On the palate, medium bodied (14% alcohol), juicy red and black fruit flavours, fine acidity and dusty tannins. Good length on the finish, fruit driven with a smooth and creamy texture. On a more technical note, this wine is 100% Malbec from 83 year old vines, grown at 3200 feet. Aged 12 months in 50% new and 50% year old French oak barrels. An attractive wine that is uncomplicated but generous. Drink now or over the next couple years.

Two Rivers Convergence' Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Marlborough

This textbook New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc opens up with fresh bouquet of gooseberry, lime, passion fruit and fresh tarragon and mineral notes. On the palate, medium bodied with alcohol at 13.5%, lively acidity with that same freshness on the nose carrying through on the mouthfeel. Very good length with mouth watering crisp finish and citrus flavours lingering. I paired this SB with roast chicken with lemons and it worked beautifully. An intense and refreshing wine here, strongly recommended. Enjoyed in May 2012.

Carla Chiaro Reserve Malbec 2009, Mendoza

What a great nose on this Malbec, with aromas of cherry, dark plum, blackberry, spices, vanilla and floral notes. On the palate, medium-full bodied, red fruit and gentle wood spices flavours with fresh acidity and well integrated tannins. Medium length on the finish with spicy, juicy red and black fruit flavours. This well balanced, youthful and easy drinking nature of this Malbec makes it a great value for entertaining over this summer BBQ season. I especially liked how well handled the oak treatment was on this Malbec, by doing so; it preserved the fruity character and freshness of this wine. Strongly recommended.

San Pedro 1865 Single Vineyard Carmenère 2010, Maule Valley