Paul Forget

Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Lieu Dit Malakoff Shiraz 2010, Pyrenees

This cool climate shiraz made with low yielding vines and opened up with aromas of black fruit, tar, saddle leather, black pepper, dried herb de Provence and black pepper notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, dry, layered dark fruit and smoky flavours, balance acidity and fine structured tannins. A great length on the finish, with concentrated and robust flavours. This Shiraz is built for the long haul, I would say 4-5 years for the texture to soften up and all elements of this Shiraz to fully integrate. Excellent addition to any cellar.

Frescobaldi Tenuta Di Castiglioni 2007, Igt Toscana

A beautiful sophisticated nose here with aromas of blackberry, black currant, sour cherry, dried herbs, cedar and toasty notes. On the mouthfeel, medium to full bodied, loads of flavour with fine acidity and gritty tannins. Very good length on the finish with savoury and rich concentrated flavours, fine texture and persistent grainy tannins. If you are lucky enough to still hold this superb wine on your cellar, it is drinking well with a great deal of life left. I would say peak drinking window here is 2014-2016. A fantastic wine and great value

Ravenswood Teldeschi Zinfandel 2007, Dry Creek Valley

Montepeloso Eneo 2006, Igt Toscana

New Release September 18, 2010.

Shafer Vineyards Merlot 2007, Napa Valley

Shafer included 15% Cabernet Sauvignon to this Merlot which makes this wine a very elegant, finely textured, fruit driven and very aromatic with aromas of ripe dark plum, blackberry, chocolate, vanilla and cedar forest. On the palate this full body Merlot (with alcohol coming in at 14.9%) achieves an excellent balance with surprisingly fresh acidity for a Napa wine, loads of flavours and fined grained tannins which makes the alcohol only slightly noticeable. The finish is long with rich and savoury flavours and all wrapped up in fine ripe tannins. A robust Merlot, yet approachable.

Charles Cimicky Autograph Shiraz 2004

Very aromatic; fruit cake, dark plums, date and cinnamon. Full bodied, silky tannins with every component well integrated. Nice to see a mature Australian Shiraz on the LCBO shelf. Will try to locate a few more bottles of this. Tasted December 2010.

Jim Barry The Mcrae Wood Shiraz 2006, Clare Valley, South Australia

The nose is so sensuous with aromas of blueberry, plum, cassis, Asian spice, vanilla and toasty notes. Full bodied with the alcohol coming in at 15.5%, but it is well integrated with complex flavours of dark fruit, tobacco and spices, balanced acidity and velvet tannins. What you get from this Shiraz is a big wine with lots of flavour, creamy, very smooth and above all, awesome aromatics. Could smell this all night, great wine here

Michele Castellani Cinque Stelle Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2005, Doc

A classic version of Amarone with aromas of prune, fig, dates, dried raisins, stewed fruits, chocolate and leather. This full body mouthfeel of 15.5% alcohol has rich and sweet texture, low acidity and well integrated tannins. Great length and velvet on the finish. Loved it

Altocedro La Consulta Reserva Malbec 2007, Mendoza

Intense on the nose; blackberry, black cherry, dark chocolate, cedar and smoky. Full bodied with rich mouth feel. Lots of power on the finish, with concentrated flavour, dusty tannins, generous alcohol but very smooth.

Beringer Bancroft Ranch Single Vineyard Merlot 2005, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley

This wine opens up with great and complex aromatics; cherry, black currants, violet, chocolate, cedar, savoury spices and vanilla. The mouthfeel is rich and elegant, with concentrated fruit flavours and toasty oak with great balance between fruit, acidity and tannins. The finish is long, savoury with fine integrated tannins. A fine maturing beauty, great stuff.