Paul Forget

Remo Farina Monte Fante Riserva Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2006, Doc

This wine opened up with aromas of stewed berries, raisin, prune, dried figs, soft leather and savoury spices. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, rich with silky smooth texture, a lot of fruit and alcohol but it is perfectly balanced by crisp acidity and fine tannins. This wine has a very good length and depth on the finish with a hint of chocolate with raisins, red and black fruit flavours with a little heat and very smooth. This Amarone is very tasty and flavourful with lots of everything but no excess. A real treat, very comforting and strongly recommended.

Mission Hill Oculus 2007, BC VQA Okanagan Valley

Romain Duvernay Vacqueyras 2009

A wine of deep purple, which opens up with aromas of blueberry- blackberry fruit, licorice, burnt toast, black pepper and dried floral notes. On the palate, full bodied, concentrated flavours, balanced acidity and firm tannins. A wine of many layers on the finish including dark fruit, sweet oak, savoury notes and those same firm tannins lingering 'till the end. Drink now or over the next 5-6 years. Strongly recommended.

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).

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.

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.

Ontañon Reserva 2001, Doca Rioja

This wine opened up with aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, dark plum, Asian spices, incense, leather and black pepper. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, firm structure, concentrated flavours with balanced acidity and considerable tannins. This wines finish is long with loads of black fruit, bitter chocolate and woody tannins. I really enjoyed the aromatics and mouthfeel, but even if this Rioja is almost nine years old the tannins still need time to soften up a bit. The finish is too tannic and tangy for me at this time. Give this wine another year or two.

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.

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

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.