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
Jean Luc Colombo Les Lauves Saint Joseph 2007, Ac
Rhône, France$31.95
Subdued on the nose. Mouth feel of dark fruit, white pepper and smoky. Lack of complexity, not a lot of fruit here, fresh acidity and well integrated tannins. To simple of a wine for $31.95. Something is not quite right here; this wine may have been slightly oxidized.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Les Hauts Du Castellas Vacqueyras 2007, Ac
Rhône, France$14.75
What a smooth wine here. The nose is very inviting here; black fruits, plums, cherry, black olives and earthy. Medium to full body, balance acidity with dusty tannins. Long sweet and refreshing finish. Again fine wine from this 2007 Rhône vintage.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Hewitson Miss Harry 2009, Barossa Valley, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$19.95
This is a much lighter style of wine from the Barossa Valley, a Rhône blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Shiraz, 5% Mourvèdre with the balance 2.5% equal portion of Cinsault and Carignan. This wine opens up with aromas of strawberry, blueberry, stewed rhubarb, herb de Provence, white pepper and medicinal notes. The palate has loads of energy and length, light-medium bodied (14% alc.), bright acidity and soft tannins. Medium length with lively red berry flavours on the finish. Enjoyable but not what I was expecting from Barossa.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Finca El Origen Gran Reserva Malbec 2010, Uco Valley, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$19.95
A very pretty nose on this Malbec, with aromas of blueberry, dark plum, currants, violet, light cedar and baking spices. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with delicious forward fruit and spices, well balanced by fresh acidity and firm tannins. This wines finish is long, spicy and very flavourful. I find that in this vintage, this Malbec shows a leaner more restrained style than the last few vintages, but I have to commend them on moving to a much lighter bottle. Definitely better for the environment and the bottom line I am sure. This wine should appeal widely, strongly recommended.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Antolini Morópio Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2006, Doc
Veneto, Italy$34.95
This Amarone opened up with a ripe bouquet of field berries, raisins, mocha covered cherry, vanilla bean and sweet spices. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, luscious entry, juicy and slightly creamy with fresh acidity and well integrated tannins. This wine's finish is very long, silky smooth with rich fruit concentration and sweet and peppery spices. This wine, even with 16% alcohol is well balanced by good acidity (for an Amarone) and generous fruit concentration, lots of everything but no excess. Loved it at first sip, a real treat and awesome value for such a well made Amarone
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Domaine Les Grands Bois Cuvée Philippine Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2010, Ac
Rhône, France$18.95
Deep purple in color, this Rhône blend opened up with an attractive bouquet of cherry, plumy-blackberry fruit, wood smoke, sweet spices and cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, with flavours of dark fruit, strawberry jam and savoury spices, balance acidity and fine grained tannins. Medium finish, not particularly complex but the flavours are very nice and the texture is pure velvet. This is a very smooth, harmonious, easy drinking wine, made to please and at this price, strongly recommended.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Swanson Oakville Merlot 2006, Napa Valley (375ml)
California, Usa$17.90
This 100% Merlot has a classic aroma of cherry, plum, blackberry, cedar, toast and a hint of spices. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied (with alcohol coming in at 14.8%), rich and concentrated flavours, well structured by balance acidity and fined grained tannins. Good energy on the finish with soft seductive fruit and cedar and smoke flavours lingering. Time in bottle (375ml bottle also helping) has allowed this wine to come together nicely, somewhere between the style of a California Merlot and Right Bank Bordeaux. What you get from this Merlot is elegance, great flavours and texture, drinking at its best right now. You must remember the movie Sideways line, "I am not drinking any f..... Merlot", well if you are not drinking Swanson Oakville Merlot 2006, you are missing something good. Strongly recommended, enjoyed in June 2012.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Château Roquetaillade Vieilles Vignes La Grange 2006, Ac Graves
Bordeaux, France$21.95
Could have used more time in my cellar. Very complex and good value here.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Domaine Du Chardonnay Chablis 2009, Ac
Burgundy, France$19.95
A beautiful greeny straw colour with aromas of lemon-lime citrus fruit, green apple, honeydew melon and hints of minerals. The palate has loads of energy and length, steely and minerals notes with good balance between fruit and racy acidity. On the finish this Chardonnay is long, pure and refreshing like a good New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with a clean citrusy taste. I paired this wine with roasted chicken and it work beautifully.
3.5 Stars
(0)V