Paul Forget
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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
Stags' Leap Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Napa Valley (375ml)
California, Usa$27.95
I enjoy the option of having a quality wine in a half size bottled (375ml) like this Stags’ Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the benefits of smaller bottles is that they age quicker, tannins soften sooner, which means that the wine is ready to enjoy earlier. This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon grape at 93%, with Cabernet Franc at 4% and Merlot at 3% in a supporting role. This wine opens up with aromas of blackberry, blackcurrants, clove, dry herbs, vanilla and espresso notes. A full bodied (with alcohol at 14.1%) and robust mouthfeel yet approachable with balanced acidity and silky tannins. This Cabernet finish is long with dark fruit, roasted coffee and chocolate flavours all wrapped up in fine grained tannins. An excellent and very enjoyable cabernet
4.0 Stars
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Castello Di San Sano Guarnellotto Chianti Classico Riserva 2008
Tuscany, Italy$19.25
Bright ruby-red in color, this Chianti opened up with aromas of sweet and sour cherries, raspberry, red currants, dried herbs, cedar and light floral and mineral notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, spicy with fresh lively red fruit, crisp acidity and light tannins. This finish is long, juicy, spicy and slightly tangy with sweet berry fruit and loads of energy. This is a delicious textbook Chianti Classico, ready to enjoy, paired with pasta in a tomato sauce, spaghetti or Italian pasta. Strongly recommended.
3.5 Stars
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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
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