Paul Forget

Ravenswood Teldeschi Zinfandel 2007, Dry Creek Valley

Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2010, Hawkes Bay

A deep plum color, this wine opens up with aromas of plumy-blackberry fruit, dried violet, white pepper, meaty and dry spices notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied , black fruit flavours and rustic with fresh acidity and fined-grained tannins. Dry with a good length on the finish with blackberry and crushed stone texture lingering. Very interesting and enjoyable, better served with food (would be great with lamb).

Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 2008, Grampians/Bendigo, Victoria

Another fine wine from Seppelt. This Shiraz opens up with aromas of blackberry, cherry, stewed plum, raisins, cedar and spicy notes. On the palate, medium-full bodied, with layered spicy dark fruit, creamy oak texture, balance acidity and fine grained tannins. This Shiraz finish is long, spicy, with mouth caressing rich flavours and spiciness. Here is a well made, well balanced wine, which managed to achieve both power and elegance quit well. I have never been disappointed by Seppelt yet, and there Chalambar Shiraz 2008 is quit delicious, Strongly recommended.

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2008, Coonawarra, South Australia

This deep colour Shiraz mix power with elegance and smoothness. Very intense aromatics with cherry, ripe plums, crush raspberry, black pepper and licorice. Medium to full body, rich and concentrated flavours, balanced acidity and fully rounded tannins. Long, spicy, crushed berries and cedar on the finish. A very enjoyable wine to enjoy now, but will hold at lease five years. Strongly recommended.

Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz 2008, Barossa Valley,

On the nose, this wine opens up with ripe blackberry, plums, savoury, coffee and cedar aromas. Big and rich flavours on the mouthfeel, cherry pie, chocolate, clove with sufficient acidity and ripe tannins. The finish is long, velvety, savoury with sweet flavours lingering. A classic example of the “Barossa Style”, big fruit and big alcohol but well balanced and well made. Very enjoyable.

Tabali Reserva Especial Syrah 2008, Limari Valley

A compact, concentrated wine with blackberry, stewed plums, pepper, smoky and underbrush aromas. The palate is dense, sweet with balance acidity and rounded tannins. This Syrah’s finish is long, smokey, savoury and very rich. Drinking well right now, but I would like to revisit this wine in 1-2 years, as all the elements are here for this wine to gain some elegance. Maybe a bit sweet for some, but strongly recommended, especially at this price.

Tenuta Di Ghizzano Veneroso 2007, Igt Toscana

The nose on this wine was a little funky at first, which cleared away after 10 minutes or so. On the nose, strongly varietal Sangiovese aromas of black plum, cherry, stewed rhubarb, cedar, leather, dusty and spicy notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full body (with alcohol at 13.5%), fresh acidity, muscular tannins and excellent dept of flavours. This blend's finish is medium length with soft fruit and fine dusty tannins. Should be served slightly chilled around 16-17°C. A very nice wine here, where each glass improved as the evening provgressed, great structure on the palate and lovely finish. Strongly recommended

Domaine Des Bosquets Gigondas 2007, Ac

This is a very ripe example of Gigondas made for the North American palate. On the nose, this wine opens up with aromas of blueberry-blackberry fruit, stewed plum, ground coffee, underbrush, dried herbs, violet and minerals notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, balance acidity, velvet tannins and solid core of ripe fruit. The finish is long with good depth of flavours and chest warming, slightly hot. Not exactly elegant with 15% alcohol, but very rich and enjoyable.

Norman Hardie County Unfiltered Pinot Noir 2010, VQA Prince Edward County

This excellent pale ruby coloured Pinot Noir County opened up with aromas of cranberry, plum, strawberry, cinnamon, spicy and mineral notes. On the mouthfeel, light bodied with alcohol coming in at 11.9%, youthful, fresh with bright acidity and light tannins. Very good length on the finish with spicy red fruit flavours and great energy. Great balance with this Pinot, love the low alcohol and ripe red fruit flavours, strongly recommended for fans of lighter Pinot Noir.

Campigli Vallone 'terre Nere' Brunello Di Montalcino 2006, Docg

A superb mature nose on this Brunello, with aromas of field berries, sour cherries, red currants, soft leather and lots of savoury spices. On the mouthfeel, a medium-full bodied wine with alcohol coming in at 14%, excellent fruit-acid balance and silky tannins. The length on this Brunello finish is long, slightly hot with flavours of sweet berry fruit, savoury spices and a nice silky texture. This is a very nice Brunello, which is shows a beautiful maturing, elegant and feminine personality. At this price, strongly recommended.