Paul Forget

Brokenwood Shiraz 2009, Mclaren Vale/Beechworth, South Australia/Victoria

This wine opens up with aromas of wild berries, plums, baking spices and cedar notes. On the palate, medium bodied, with alcohol coming in at 14.0%, a solid core of ripe fruit and sweet spices, lively acidity and rounded tannins. This Shiraz finish is medium length with flavours of plums, berries, vanilla and mild tannins lingering. This wine is not terribly complex, but it is very smooth, very enjoyable, almost too easy to drink. Enjoy now or over the next 3-4 years, recommended.

Alain Jaume & Fils Terrases De Montmirail Gigondas 2009, Ac

The Grenache sure comes through on the nose with attractive aromas of plum, cassis, raisins, exotic spices, floral, vanilla and light cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, savoury spices and ripe berry flavours, balanced acidity and silky tannins. Very good length on the finish, seamless texture with ripe spicy berries flavours lingering.
This is definitely the style of Rhône blend I enjoy the most, with a high proportion of Grenache, with little or no Mourvèdre. The biggest strength of this Gigondas for me is its mouthfeel, so smooth and very stylish. A very enjoyable wine enjoyed in October 2012.

Remo Farina Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2009, Doc

This wine opens up with attractive aromas of cherry, dark plums, raisins, chocolate and sweet spices. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied (with alcohol coming in at 13.5%) with balance acidity, soft tannins and well integrated oak. Very tasty on the finish with a creamy texture and flavours of cherry, chocolate and spices lingering. Quit a lovely and enjoyable wine and represents excellent value for money, strongly recommended.

Castellani Filicheto Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2009, Docg

This lovely wine is so Italian, just smelling this wine and I think I could be in a little pizzeria in Tuscany. It opens up with aromas of red plum, sour cherry, sundried tomatoes, soft leather and cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied (with alcohol coming in at 13.5%), ripe fruit and herbal and spicy flavours, lively acidity and dusty tannins. The finish is long with bright spicy flavours and loads of energy. This is a very charming and traditional wine with a real sense of place. Strongly recommended and a fantastic value at this price.

Beaulieu Vineyard Bv Tapestry Reserve 2008, Napa Valley

The benefit of blending and great winemaking is in full display here, starting with great aromatics, this wine opened up with aromas of plumy-black cherry fruit, cassis, cedar, pepper and light liquorice. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, rich ripe California fruit flavours with gentle oak spices, vanilla, fine acidity and silky smooth tannins. Great length, energy and flavours on the finish. What you get from Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve 2008 is a very elegant wine, finely textured and very fragrant. Drinking well right now or hold 2-3 years, gorgeous wine.

Quinta Da Lubazim Grande Reserva 2008

Antolini Morópio Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2006, Doc

This Amarone opened up with a ripe bouquet of field berries, raisins, mocha covered cherry, vanilla bean and sweet spices. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, luscious entry, juicy and slightly creamy with fresh acidity and well integrated tannins. This wine's finish is very long, silky smooth with rich fruit concentration and sweet and peppery spices. This wine, even with 16% alcohol is well balanced by good acidity (for an Amarone) and generous fruit concentration, lots of everything but no excess. Loved it at first sip, a real treat and awesome value for such a well made Amarone

Duckhorn Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Napa Valley

What a lovely wine here, a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot, aged in 100% French oak. This wine opens up with aromas of blueberry, black cherry, cassis, vanilla and sweet toasty oak. On the palate, medium-full bodied (14.5% alc.), dry, rich and concentrated flavours, lively acidity and firm tannins. This Cabernet finish is long, very smooth with flavours of dark fruit, black pepper notes and fine grained tannins. Awsome mouthfeel, well balanced, well priced and delicious. Strongly recommended. Enjoyed in April 2012.

Descendientes De J. Palacios Pétalos 2009, Do Bierzo

This wine is made with the lesser known Mencia grape, which is mostly grown in Portugal and Spain. The nose on this wine was very different. It would make for an interesting wine in a blind tasting with aromas of wild berry, strawberry, minerals, mushrooms, tobacco leaves and floral notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied but even with alcohol at 15%/ A well balanced wine with rich red fruit flavours, refreshing acidity and silky tannins. Very good length on the finish with spicy red fruit flavours, smoky notes and fine tannins lingering. A very interesting wine to be sure, but it works.

Decero Remolinos Vineyard Malbec 2008, Agrelo, Mendoza

This wine has a very appealing nose with aromas of blackberry, blueberry, vanilla, cedar and violet notes. On the palate, medium-full bodied with concentrated fruit and oak flavours, balanced acidity and dusty tannins. On the medium length finish, this Malbec delivers dark fruit flavours, coffee and cedar notes followed by the same dusty tannins that make a reappearing act. As a note of caution, my bottle had a great deal of sediment, be careful when you are getting close to the end of the bottle. Enjoyable wine here