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
Château Signac Combe D'enfer Cuvée Côtes Du Rhône Villages Chusclan 2007, Ac
Rhône, France$18.95
I love this type of wine, easy to match with all kinds of dish and very good value. Nose is spicy with cherries and plums. Medium body, great structure with lively acidity, grainy tannins. Mouth feel of plums, cherries and white pepper. Long finish, should have bought a case.
3.5 Stars
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Henry Of Pelham Reserve Cabernet/Merlot 2007, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$24.95
This wine opened up with aromas of blackberry, cherry, plum, leather, tobacco, cracked pepper, vanilla, savoury and herbal notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, dried herb flavours, spicy with fine texture, fresh acidity and silky tannins. Medium length on the finish, dry with savoury notes and tobacco flavours. I truly enjoyed the moderate alcohol at 13.5%, very well balance and enjoyable, savoury style red blend.
3.5 Stars
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Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Alexander Valley
California, Usa$27.95
Complex aromatics, red plums, blackberry, currents, tobacco leaf, minty and smoky. Medium to full body, generous mouth feel, rich with grainy tannins and a long concentrated fruit finish. Should get smoother over the next two years. Lovely young Cabernet.
3.5 Stars
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Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt Riesling Kabinett 2007, Piesporter Goldtropfchen
Mosel, Germany$19.95
I have always been a fan of German Rieslings, and this one is an absolute beauty with aromas of pink grapefruit, pear, wet stone and petrol. The mouthfeel is oily, with delicate sweetness and lively acidity. The finish is long with sweet fruit and a touch of honey. With alcohol at only 8.5% this is a perfect wine to sip on the patio or with a slightly spicy dish. A Riesling of this quality, and fine vintage (2007) could age for many more years and is a great value at this price.
3.5 Stars
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Perrin & Fils La Gille Gigondas 2007, Ac
Rhône, France$29.95
Complex nose of raspberry, black cherry, black currants, plums, cedar, sweet spices and Herbs de Provence. On the palate, this medium to full body wine has well integrated flavours, smooth texture, fresh acidity and drying tannins. This Gigondas finish is savoury with grainy tannins. I enjoyed this wine with BBQ Lamb, and it matched beautifully.
3.5 Stars
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Trentadue Old Patch Red 2006, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
California, Usa$15.95
I thought to try this wine before the LCBO is all sold out of it. Wow, what a great surprise. Nice aromatics; wild berries, fruit cake, cinnamon and smoky. But even better mouth feel …so smooth, lots of fruits with nice acidity in mid palate and white pepper and oak structure on the finish. Everything is well balance and complex here, and then some. Fantastic value. Tasted January 2011.
3.5 Stars
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Stonehedge Diamond Ridge Reserve Zinfandel 2007, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
California, Usa$17.95
Nice aromatics. Medium body; cherries, red plums, rhubarb, ripe berries, white pepper, savoury and smoky. Mouth feel is well balance with crisp acidity, well integrated tannins and moderate use of oak. Alcohol at 14.3% is very reasonable for a Zin specially coming from Napa. Very nice Zinfandel here and at great value. Ready to drink now and to enjoy with or without food.
3.5 Stars
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Aia Vecchia Lagone 2007, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$15.95
The nose is rich and complex with dark fruits, plums, ripe blackberry, black olives and leather. The mouthfeel is refreshing with rich concentrated ripe fruit, balance acidity and dusty tannins. The finish is average length, savoury with lingering tannins. This blend is very sophisticated, very dry and very Italian, drinking well right now, I think this will be at it's best in about a year or two, great potential.
3.5 Stars
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Arboleda Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Aconcagua Valley
Chile$19.95
Serious Cabernet Sauvignon nose here; rich and concentrated black fruits, chocolate and cassis. This wine is medium to full body, balance acidity and grainy tannins. The finish is long and comforting. Very good value here.
3.5 Stars
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Fetish The Watcher Shiraz 2008, Barossa Valley, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$19.95
Sweet and inviting nose here; blackberries, raisins and stewed plums. Mouth feel as plenty of flavour with lots of ripe fruits, and vanilla but lacking in acidity. The finish is hot with some cedar notes. A little too sweet for me, may not be my style of wine but not a bad one here.
3.5 Stars
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