Paul Forget

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.

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.

San Pedro 1865 Single Vineyard Carmenère 2010, Maule Valley

Barossa Valley Estate Ebenezer Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Vintage 2004

Tar & Roses Tempranillo 2011, Heathcote/Alpine Valleys

Here is an anomaly, a Tempranillo from Australia, which definitely smells like a Tempranillo, with aromas of raspberry, black cherry, dusty, cedar, black licorice, black pepper and Moroccan spices. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied (with alcohol at 13%), dark fruit and savoury flavours with fresh acidity and firm tannins. Great length on the finish, with robust flavours and texture with those same dusty tannins lingering till the end. A very enjoyable and interesting young wine, best to cellar an additional 2-3 years and best paired with a lamb dish, strongly recommended.

Paul Cluver Estate Chardonnay 2010, Wo Elgin

A lovely barrel fermented Chardonnay (French oak, 45% new) with a very inviting bouquet of citrus, lemon-lime fruit, apple, light smoke, nutty and spicy notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, fresh acidity, well handle oak treatment with creamy ripe fruit covering the palate. Good weight and length on the finish with layers of creamy richness. This is an intensely flavourful, very enjoyable, well made Chardonnay and strongly recommended. Enjoyed in July 2012.

Mission Hill Slc Syrah 2009, VQA Okanagan Valley

Mayu Reserva Carmenère 2009, Elqui Valley

This wine was definitely made in a style to please the North American palate. A big imposing wine, overly fruity with high alcohol at 15%. This Carmenère opened up with aromas of blueberry, ripe berry pie, tobacco, leather, cedar with savoury and smoky notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied with an explosion of sweet ripe fruit covering the palate, low acidity and mild tannins. The finish is flavourful with a velvety texture and sweet. This wine was much better with food (I paired it with Indian Food) than alone after a meal. The spiciness of the Indian food with all its flavours tame the sweetness of this Carmenère. For fans of this style, it’s a great value. But for me, it felt a bit too much manipulated and overdone. Fruit is overripe, alcohol is too high and too much toasty oak.

Ruffino Modus 2006, Igt Toscana

The nose is very aromatic and inviting; ripe blackberries, black cherries and toasty oak. Medium to full body, richly concentrated mouth feel with smoky bouquet of blackberries, black cherries even slightly jammy fruit with cassis, cedar, chocolate and leather. Acidity is fresh and tannins are grainy. Finish is long smooth with rich flavours. Very enjoyable to people who enjoy their wines fruity with more use of oak. Good value.