Paul Forget

Tawse Sketches Of Niagara Riesling 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula

This wine opens up with very lively aromas of pear, green apple, grapefruit and minerals. On the palate this off-dry Riesling is medium body with alcohol coming in at 10% and where the crisp acidity and sweetness are perfectly match. The finish is long with lemon zest and mineral note lingering. A terrific and well balanced refreshing Riesling. I paired this wine chicken curry and roasted cashews, it work beautifully.

Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Marlborough, South Island

Greeny straw in color, this Sauvignon Blanc opens up with aromas of gooseberry, white grapefruit, passion fruit, flinty and mineral notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, intense tangy, zesty fruit, light tropical fruit flavours and lively acidity. This wines finish is long, refreshing with bright flavours lingering. This is a textbook Sauvignon Blanc made to be enjoyed at the table paired with white meat or seafood. A very enjoyable wine.

Le Pupille Poggio Valente Morellino Di Scansano Riserva 2007, Docg

William Fèvre Champs Royaux Chablis 2010, Burgundy

Wow, I just love the nose on this wine, it is so fresh and clean with great aromatics. Beautiful bright greeny straw in color on this 100% Chardonnay, this wine opens up with aromas of melon, lime, green apple and mineral scents. On the palate, medium bodied (12.5% Alc.) with green apple flavour and lively acidity. Clean finish with excellent depth of flavour, refreshing and slightly creamy texture. This wine is so well made, with very little manipulation. A pure expression of Chardonnay, clearly a very classy wine. Strongly recommended,

Guenoc Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Lake County

This young Cabernet Sauvignon is a little awkward at the moment. A little shy on the nose with aromas of dark fruit, dark chocolate, cedar, smoke and dust. On the mouthfeel this medium to full bodied Cabernet has loads of dark fruit, enough acidity and hard tannins. The back label says smooth and velvet finish, it is nothing but. I get a great deal of oak and aggressive tannins. Don't get me wrong, a good wine, at a great value, but it needs time in the cellar. This wine lacks finesse, right now.

Castello Di San Sano Guarnellotto Chianti Classico Riserva 2008

Bright ruby-red in color, this Chianti opened up with aromas of sweet and sour cherries, raspberry, red currants, dried herbs, cedar and light floral and mineral notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, spicy with fresh lively red fruit, crisp acidity and light tannins. This finish is long, juicy, spicy and slightly tangy with sweet berry fruit and loads of energy. This is a delicious textbook Chianti Classico, ready to enjoy, paired with pasta in a tomato sauce, spaghetti or Italian pasta. Strongly recommended.

Luigi Bosca Single Vineyard Malbec 2008, Luján De Cuyo, Mendoza

This wine opens up with ripe plums, fresh cherries, spices, red currants, light cedar and slight floral tones. Rich and vibrant mouthfeel with fresh acidity, velvet tannins and noticeable alcohol. It states 14.4% on the label but to me, it does feel higher. This Malbec finish is long with Cherry, sweet spices and mocha, leaving a good impression. This wine has so much potential, each glass was getting better and better. Overall great aromatics, very good value, this is a lot of wine for $22, drink now or hold for 4-5 years.

Villa Mt. Eden Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Napa Valley

An elegant wine, ready to drink or short term cellar with great flavour and texture that over delivers at this sale price. The nose is sophisticated with dark fruits, cedar, currants, soft leather and dried herbs. Medium to full body, with every element of this wine in harmony, ripe fruit but not jammy, balanced acidity and noticeable, but well integrated tannins. This Cabernet Sauvignon finish is long savoury and complex. Great wine making at play here, lovely wine.

Duckhorn Merlot 2008, Napa Valley

This wines opens up with aromas of cherry, plum, spice box, baking spices floral and mineral notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, smooth and complex flavours, mild acidity and fine grained tannins. Medium length and a bit hot on the finish but with soft seductive fruit flavours lingering. This wine may not represent value but is another very enjoyable wine from Duckhorn. Definitely more Bordeaux than California in style.

Avignonesi Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2007, Docg

Wow, what a delicate but intense bouquet on this Sangiovese based wine with aromas of red cherry, dark plum, dried figs, cedar and savoury notes. On the palate, medium bodied (with alcohol at 13.5%), lively acidity, fine tannins and rich flavours. A nice brightness on the finish with bitter cherry and plum fruit and pleasant ripe powdery tannins coding your entire mouth, just how I like them. Drinking well now or over the next 2-3 years.