Paul Forget
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Followers (13)
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Following (7)
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Reviews (370)
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I was born into a French Canadian family and started tasting wine early with food. My love of wine and food goes hand in hand, when you have a perfect pairing, it is one of those great pleasures in life.
I have recently returned to Ontario, after living in Victoria, BC for the last four years. I worked part-time for the Mark Anthony Group which allowed me to attend many industry tastings, including numerous Import Vintners and Spirits Association tastings.
Before moving to Victoria, in December of 2006, I graduated with a Sommelier Certification from Algonquin College in Ottawa.
What I look for in a wine, above all, is aromatics. The nose should draw you in, not to much alcohol with good acidity, rich and concentrated flavour. For me, great wines are about subtlety, complexity and finesse. A bottle of wine should tell a story, should have a sense of place, terroir, where the grapes where grown. The use of oak should be handled with care.
I love everything about wine and recognize I have a great deal to learn. I enjoyed a great deal of BC wines and I am eager to get more familiar with Ontario wines.
Reviews
Hewitt Vineyard Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Rutherford, Napa Valley
California, Usa$69.95
4.0 Stars
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Burge Family Olive Hill 2006, Barossa Valley, South Australia
Australia$34.95
This wine opened up with aromas of blueberry, black cherry, savoury spices, clove, black pepper, tobacco and mocha. On the mouthfeel, full bodied with generous fruit concentration, velvet and creamy texture, balance acidity and silky tannins. This Rhône blend finish is long, peppery, rich flavours and so smooth. A beautifully complex, well structured and balanced wine, even with alcohol at 15.8% (the alcohol is barely noticeable). It would have been interesting to taste this wine 2 years ago, Burge Family Olive Hill 2006 is delicious right now or continue to cellar for 2-3 years. Very enjoyable, enjoyed in August 2012.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
D'arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2007, Mclaren Vale
South Australia, Australia$54.95
This Shiraz opens up with aromas of ripe berry fruit, black plums, black currants, violet, mint, cedar and savoury notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied (14.5% alcohol) rich and fruit driven with good acidity and grainy tannins. This wine will leave you with a very good impression, long finish with layers of creamy richness, fined grained tannins and savoury notes lingering. This Shiraz is well structured and very tasty, drinking well right now but has all the elements to improve over the next 3-4 years. Very enjoyable, enjoyed August 2012.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Torbreck Roussanne/Marsanne/Viognier 2008, Barossa Valley
Australia$19.95
Very intriguing nose, lots going on there; pears, minerals, sage, anise & hay. The palate…so disappointing not much fruit here, hard and lacking acidity to have a balance wine for me. More acidity would have given this wine a lift and made it more refreshing. I also would not have guess that Viognier was in this blend at all. Had this wine with pork tenderloin with a cream sauce wasn’t a great match. At the end of the day I was expecting better.
4.0 Stars
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Concha Y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Carménere 2007, Rapel Valley
Chile$19.95
The nose along tells me that this wine is going to be fantastic. Aromas of black cherries, blueberries, plums, cassis, cedar and spicy. Medium to full body, mouth feel is generous in fruit with lively acidity and grainy tannins. Great buy here.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
San Fabiano Calcinaia Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$24.95
Wow, a big wine for sure, almost black in color. The palate is complex with black cherries, dark plums, currents, pencil shaving, leather and earthy. Full bodied, with monster tannins and good acidity. Long earthy, austere tannins and a bit tart on the finish. Nice wine now but will be much better in two or three years.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Marqués De Murrieta Finca Ygay Reserva 2006, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$27.95
An intriguing and mature bouquet on this Rioja, with aromas of wild berries, plums, dried strawberry, Moroccan spices, sandalwood, floral and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied with bright flavours, smooth texture, great acidity and fine grainy tannins. This wines finish is long, with great energy, flavourful, with a little bit of alcohol heat lingering. For me, this wine hits all the right notes, starting with a very sensuous bouquet, beautiful, well structured mouthfeel and a long flavourful, smooth and elegant finish. Drinking well now but should improve with a further 2-3 years in bottle. The quality/price ratio is well in your favour.
4.0 Stars
(0)V