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
Casa Emma Chianti Classico 2009, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$18.95
On the nose this wine opens up with aromas of cherry, plum, sundried tomato, soft leather, savoury herbs and herbal notes. On the palate, light to medium bodied, red berry fruit flavours, fresh acidity and soft silky tannins. Very good energy and length on the finish with plumy-red berry fruit flavours lingering. To be enjoyed with a tomato based pasta, pizza, or on its own, its that good. Strongly recommended and very good value for fans of a more traditional style of Chianti Classico. Tasted April 2012.
3.5 Stars
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Misiones De Rengo Gran Reserva Cuvée Carmenère 2010, Rapel Valley
Rapel Valley, Chile$19.95
Certainly an interesting wine here with a blend of Carmenère at 89%, Cabernet Sauvignon 7% and Syrah 4%, with aging taking place in first and second use French and American oak barrels for 12 months. This wine opens up with aromas of blackberry, cherry, cocoa, dried herbs and pencil shaving. The mouthfeel is medium-full bodied, balanced acidity but rustic and woody tannins. Decent weight and length on the finish with rustic and earthy flavours lingering. This wine lacks finesse, however, I think it should improve with some time in your cellar. An interesting and different selection for people who enjoy their wine straightforward and a bit rustic.
3.5 Stars
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Spice Route Shiraz 2009, Wo Swartland
Swartland, South Africa$24.95
Great aromatics on this Shiraz with aromas of black plum, wild strawberry, prune, black pepper, clove, smoky and vanilla notes. On the palate, full bodied with alcohol at 15%, rich and concentrated flavours. well structured by lively acidity and elegant tannin structure. Very good length on the finish, rich and creamy texture and flavours of spice plums and cedar flavours lingering. Maturation took place in (approx) 30% new French oak for 18 months, the wine was bottled unfiltered. This wine has lots of everything but no excess and not likely to disappoint. Strongly recommended, enjoyed May 2012.
3.5 Stars
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Truchard Zinfandel 2008, Carneros, Napa Valley
California, Usa$21.60
Wow, what a beautiful bouquet on this Zin, with aromas of blackberry, plum, wild berries, savoury spices, floral and herbal notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, with generous alcohol at 15.3%, but well balanced by jammy ripe berries, crisp acidity and smooth tannins. The finish is long, enjoyable, with sweet seductive fruit and savoury flavours. A very elegant, savoury and tasty style of Zinfandel. Strongly recommended
3.5 Stars
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Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva 2004, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$24.95
Definitely an ultra traditional style of Grand Reserva here with aromas of wild strawberry, red cherry, tobacco, old church wood, vanilla and cinnamon spice. On the palate, medium bodied, soft texture, dusty tannins and high acid. A very good length and smooth on the finish with a slightly tart flavour. This wine is better served with food and slightly chilled to improve the fruit flavours. This Grand Reserva is a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 16% Grenache, 2% Mazuelo and 2% Graciano, aging took place in American white oak for 36 months with alcohol coming in at 13.5%. Enjoyable
3.5 Stars
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Allende 2006, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$29.95
Another beautiful Spanish Rioja made with 100% Tempranillo, where the wine is aged for you, and is ready to enjoy. This wine opens up with aromas of blueberry, black fruit, dried flowers, spice box and smoky. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with alcohol at 13.5%, excellent depth of flavour, low acidity and smooth and well integrated tannins. Medium length on the finish with savoury fruit, soft cedar notes and very smooth texture. Strongly recommended and not to be missed for fans of Spanish Rioja, enjoyed in May 2012.
3.5 Stars
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Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Napa Valley
California, Usa$33.95
This wine opens up with aromas of lemon-lime, pear, pineapple and fresh herbs. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied with fresh acidity and rich flavours of lemon meringue and pineapple with a touch of honey. Good length on the finish, almost creamy with great flavours and refreshing. I paired this wine with Chicken lasagna with artichoke and a béchamel sauce and it worked quite well, very enjoyable.
3.5 Stars
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Beringer Merlot 2009, Napa Valley
California, Usa$39.95
This Merlot opens up with aromas of bing cherry, blackberry, fruit cake, cedar and burnt sugar. On the palate, medium-full bodied with alcohol coming in at 14.4%, ripe black fruit flavours, low acidity and firm tannins. Medium length on the finish with flavours of plums, spices and cedar wrap up by fine grainy tannins. I remember purchasing half a dozen of Beringer Merlot 2006 from Napa Valley release in November of 2010. Compared to that vintage (2006), this 2009 vintage lacks complexity and structure with no energy on the palate. I expected more for a $30.00 Merlot, it may get better with a few years in bottle, enjoyed in May 2012.
3.5 Stars
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Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel 2009, Sonoma County
California, Usa$23.95
This wine opened up with aromas of ripe berries, plum, cherry, white pepper and wood smoke. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, with a solid core of ripe fruit, rhubarb, fresh acidity and fine grainy tannins. This Zin finish was long with a good depth of flavours, fine tannins on a nice acidity lift. I love this kind of Zinfandel with ripe and rich fruit but not over done or jammy or to alcoholic. This is the third bottle which I opened and they have all been consistent. Strongly recommended, enjoyed in May 2012.
3.5 Stars
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Recanati Reserve Single Vineyard Merlot Kp 2007, Galilee
Israel, World$28.95
This wine opens up with an exotic nose of blackberry, blackcurrants, black tea, herbs and spices, spicy cedar wood and earthy notes. On the mouthfeel, dry, medium-full bodied with flavours of dark fruit, cloves, black olives, soft acidity and grainy tannins. A very good length on the finish with flavours of savoury spices, rich concentrated fruit, smoky and minerals notes lingering. The most interesting wine I have had in a long time. Strongly recommended and very enjoyable.
3.5 Stars
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