Paul Forget

Ant Moore Pinot Noir 2009, Central Otago, South Island

This Pinot Noir is youthful and fresh with bright red cherry, plum, vanilla and earthy on the nose. The mouthfeel is definitely fruitier than earthy, with lively acidity, silky tannins and cherry cola flavour in mid palate. A very enjoyable Pinot, with berries, sweet spices and light tannins on the finish. A little overpriced but a well made Pinot Noir with a very stylish label and ageing potential.

Castello Del Trebbio Lastricato Riserva Chanti Rufina 2006, Docg

A little thin for a Chianti Riserva, but none the less a traditional style of Chianti from Tuscany, with a real sense of place. This wine has complex aromas of sweet plums, cranberries, violet and savoury spices. It’s medium bodied with sweet and sour flavours, mouth watering acidity and silky tannins. The finish is long, smooth and savoury.

Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, Napa Valley

As an older vintage wine, I was curious as to what this 2002 Cabernet would taste like. The nose was very subdued; old wood and pencil shaving. The palate is a bit rustic with low acidity and smooth tannins. The finish is earthy with no fruit to speak of. This wine, most likely, would have been better 2 or 3 years ago, but right now this Cabernet Sauvignon is past its prime. I must had that a review done in December 2008 is not helpfull. Not recommended.

Mount Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, South Island

A bright pale yellow with green tinge, this Sauvignon Blanc has fragrant aromas of lemon, lime, fresh cut grass and green pea. The palate is dry, medium bodied with bright and racy acidity. The finish is long, citrusy and refreshing.

Baron De Ley Reserva 2005, Doca Rioja

Just by smelling this wine, I got excited. With complex aromas of cherry, black currant, dried figs, leather and tobacco leaf. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, fruity with good acidity and dusty tannins. The finish is smoky and smooth with ripe tannins. Very elegant and aromatic wine. Strongly recommended.

Road 13 Rockpile 2009, Okanagan Valley, B.C.

This wine is a blend of mostly Merlot and Syrah at 45% each with the remaining 10% is Cabernet Franc at 5%, Lemberger at 3%, Cabernet Sauvignon 1% and Dornfelder at 1%. Maturation took place in a combination of French and American oak for 16 months and alcohol arrived at 14.9%. The Lemberger and Dornfelder are rarely seen in this country but are commonly grown Germany.

This wine opened up with aromas of cherry, plum, vanilla spices, black pepper, bittersweet chocolate, espresso and savoury notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, quite well structured and complex with flavours of ripe berry fruit, peppery, cedary and savoury spices, balance acidity and fine grained tannins. My favourite part of this blend was the finish, very smooth, very rich concentrated fruit and vanilla spice flavours lingering. The flavours and all elements are starting to blend nicely together with better days to come. I must admit here that I really like this wine label, I know that you shouldn’t buy a wine because you like the label but in this case, for me, its represents what a good wine should be about. There is little chance of making a great wine without great fruit, great wines start in the vineyard and farming is a very important part of wine making process. Very enjoyable and strongly recommended.

San Pedro 1865 Single Vineyard Carmenère 2008, Maule Valley

It is a full bodied red with loads of flavour and smooth with a spicy finish. It is a very aromatic wine with black cherry, fresh dark plums, cassis, mint, rosemary, cedar and tobacco leaf. The mouthfeel has rich texture, lively acidity and ripe tannins. This Carmenère finish is long, fresh with black pepper and underbrush. Good balance between fruity and savoury elements, very good value here, strongly recommended.

Santa Carolina Reserva De Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Maipo Valley

I have enjoyed the last several vintage of this Santa Carolina Cabernet and the 2009 vintage is the best I have had so far. Although not a very deep colour for a Cabernet, it is more like a medium ruby with aromas of dark plum, black cherry blueberry, spice oak and vanilla. The palate has loads of flavours, spiciness, with lively acidity, grippy tannins and noticeable heat from the 14.5% alcohol. Good length on the finish with robust texture and mild tannins. This year the bottle is 35% lighter than the past, a commendation to be awarded for sure. Awesome Cabernet Sauvignon for $18, great value and strongly recommended.

Finca El Origen Gran Reserva Malbec 2009, Uco Valley, Mendoza

Unfortunately this wine's bottle is just as heavy as last year's vintage but thankfully the Malbec inside is just as delicious. This wine opens up with aromas of bing cherry, ripe blackberry, dark plums, cassis, mocha, vanilla and violet notes. Medium to full bodied, alcohol is high at 14.9% but it doesn’t overwhelm the palate as there is plenty of ripe fruit and spices, balanced acidity with ripe and robust tannins. The finish is long, spicy and mocha flavours lingering. This wine is mostly Malbec at 96% the remaining is 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, ageing took place in French oak for 15 months. Very enjoyable.

Delas Frères Saint Esprit Côtes Du Rhône 2009, Ac

A beautiful deep violet colour and a nose that definitely tells me that this wine is from the Rhône region with raspberry, black fruit, licorice, black pepper and meaty aromas. Medium to full bodied with 13.5% alcohol, rich and concentrated flavours on the mouthfeel with balanced acidity and aggressive tannins. Lots of power on the finish with licorice, blackberry, spicy flavours and loads of tannins. This is one of those wines which would benefit from 1-2 years in your cellar. There is a lot of depth in this wine; you just need to be patient before fully enjoying this wine.