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
Alain Jaume & Fils Terrases De Montmirail Gigondas 2009, Ac
Rhône, France$27.95
The Grenache sure comes through on the nose with attractive aromas of plum, cassis, raisins, exotic spices, floral, vanilla and light cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, savoury spices and ripe berry flavours, balanced acidity and silky tannins. Very good length on the finish, seamless texture with ripe spicy berries flavours lingering.
This is definitely the style of Rhône blend I enjoy the most, with a high proportion of Grenache, with little or no Mourvèdre. The biggest strength of this Gigondas for me is its mouthfeel, so smooth and very stylish. A very enjoyable wine enjoyed in October 2012.
3.5 Stars
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Remo Farina Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2009, Doc
Veneto, Italy$17.95
This wine opens up with attractive aromas of cherry, dark plums, raisins, chocolate and sweet spices. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied (with alcohol coming in at 13.5%) with balance acidity, soft tannins and well integrated oak. Very tasty on the finish with a creamy texture and flavours of cherry, chocolate and spices lingering. Quit a lovely and enjoyable wine and represents excellent value for money, strongly recommended.
3.5 Stars
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Castellani Filicheto Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2009, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$18.95
This lovely wine is so Italian, just smelling this wine and I think I could be in a little pizzeria in Tuscany. It opens up with aromas of red plum, sour cherry, sundried tomatoes, soft leather and cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied (with alcohol coming in at 13.5%), ripe fruit and herbal and spicy flavours, lively acidity and dusty tannins. The finish is long with bright spicy flavours and loads of energy. This is a very charming and traditional wine with a real sense of place. Strongly recommended and a fantastic value at this price.
3.5 Stars
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Beaulieu Vineyard Bv Tapestry Reserve 2008, Napa Valley
California, Usa$49.25
The benefit of blending and great winemaking is in full display here, starting with great aromatics, this wine opened up with aromas of plumy-black cherry fruit, cassis, cedar, pepper and light liquorice. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, rich ripe California fruit flavours with gentle oak spices, vanilla, fine acidity and silky smooth tannins. Great length, energy and flavours on the finish. What you get from Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve 2008 is a very elegant wine, finely textured and very fragrant. Drinking well right now or hold 2-3 years, gorgeous wine.
3.5 Stars
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Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2007
Hawke's Bay, New Zealand$21.95
Complex nose; blackberry, blackcurrant, stewed plums, earthy and cedar. Medium to full body. Well balance, smooth mouth feel with long velvet finish. Last bottle tasted December 2010. My four bottles gone already "c'est domage". Love this style of Merlot.
3.5 Stars
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Navarro Correas Structura Ultra 2006, Ip Mendoza, Limited Release
Mendoza, Argentina$34.95
If Structure Ultra was a boxer, it would be competing in the Heavy Weight division; a big wine on all fronts. Big fruit, big alcohol 14.9%, big flavours, big and heavyweight bottle ( not a positive here), big… well you get the picture. The reaction of pulling the cork was an upper cut of flavours, with ripe black fruit (cherry and blackberry), plums, black currant, cedar and floral notes. This full bodied mouthfeel has rich and velvet texture, concentrated fruit flavours, toasty oak, fresh acidity and grainy tannins. This blends finish is long, rich and sensuous. An awesome wine, strongly recommended for people who enjoy this style.
3.5 Stars
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Duckhorn Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Napa Valley
California, Usa$35.95
What a lovely wine here, a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot, aged in 100% French oak. This wine opens up with aromas of blueberry, black cherry, cassis, vanilla and sweet toasty oak. On the palate, medium-full bodied (14.5% alc.), dry, rich and concentrated flavours, lively acidity and firm tannins. This Cabernet finish is long, very smooth with flavours of dark fruit, black pepper notes and fine grained tannins. Awsome mouthfeel, well balanced, well priced and delicious. Strongly recommended. Enjoyed in April 2012.
3.5 Stars
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Giuseppe Campagnola Le Bine Monte Foscarino Soave Classico 2011, Doc
Veneto, Italy$13.95
This wine opened up with very fresh aromas of citrus fruit, gooseberry, pear and light mineral notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied with steely, salty and citrus flavours, perfectly balanced by refreshing acidity. The finish is long, crisp, refreshing with lots of citrus/lime fruit, pear flavours and an underlying minerality. Such a superb value for a wine of this quality. As for a pairing possibility, I would suggest any dish with a cream sauce or white fish with a splash of lemon. Strongly recommended.
3.5 Stars
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Decero Remolinos Vineyard Malbec 2008, Agrelo, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$22.95
This wine has a very appealing nose with aromas of blackberry, blueberry, vanilla, cedar and violet notes. On the palate, medium-full bodied with concentrated fruit and oak flavours, balanced acidity and dusty tannins. On the medium length finish, this Malbec delivers dark fruit flavours, coffee and cedar notes followed by the same dusty tannins that make a reappearing act. As a note of caution, my bottle had a great deal of sediment, be careful when you are getting close to the end of the bottle. Enjoyable wine here
3.5 Stars
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