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
Salcheto Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2006, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$27.95
There is no denying the fact that this wine was made with Sangiovese, it starts with the nose, aromas of sour cherry, plum, currants, savoury spices, old church wood and a touch of earthy funk which blows off after a few minutes out of the bottle. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, dry, soft seductive fruit, smooth texture, balanced acidity and gritty tannins. Medium length on the finish, smooth, savoury, great flavours with a mild dryness. Lots of finesse and charm in this old school Sangiovese, I truly enjoyed the aromatics and its savoury personality. Nice to see a mature Vino Nobile in our store, perfectly ready to enjoy now or over the next 2-3 years. Strongly recommended.
3.5 Stars
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Lealtanza Reserva Selección 2007, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$19.95
This wine is 100% Tempranillo with maturation taking place in French oak (1-2 years old barrels) for 18 months with a further 3 months in French oak vats with alcohol coming in at 13.5%.
This wine opened up with a very attractive aromas of blackberry, wild strawberry, savoury spices, vanilla and spicy notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied with ripe fruit and sweet oak flavours, fresh acidity and fine grained tannins. This wines finish is long, creamy, flavourful and wraps up with a little tartness and light tannins. This wine is very enjoyable, made with a crowd pleasing style that represents a very good value. Strongly recommended.
3.5 Stars
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Quails' Gate Chardonnay 2011, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$22.95
Pale gold in color, this wine opened up with aromas of ripe pears, golden apple, citrus fruit, buttery, toasty oak and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, slightly creamy, fresh acidity with a nice blend of citrus and tree fruit flavours. Very good depth of flavour on the finish, light minerality, toasted hazelnut with lingering flavours of tropical fruit with a touch of honey. Well made stylish cool climate Chardonnay where the use of oak is carefully restrained and well integrated. Strongly recommended.
3.5 Stars
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La Sala Chianti Classico Riserva 2008, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$14.75
Classic bouquet of Sangiovese with aromas of plum, sour cherry, black currants, violet, soft leather, cedar and spicy notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, dry, tight package with very good fruit/acid balance and silky tannins. Good tangy finish on this Chianti with sweet/sour berry fruit, light cedar and vanilla flavours lingering. La Sala Chianti Classico Riserva 2008 is made in a more traditional style, feels young at the moment. As with most Italian wines, this is best served with food, a short time in your cellar (1-2 years) and you should be rewarded with a superb wine. Strongly recommended, tasted January 15, 2013.
3.5 Stars
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Santo Assyrtiko 2011, Pdo Santorini
Santorini, Greece$16.95
Bright yellow in color this wine opened up with aromas of ripe apple, pears, citrus fruit, light floral and a stony minerality nose. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, bone dry, mineral driven with a complex sweet and sour fruit flavours and a lively acidity. This wine finish is clean, refreshing with loads of energy with flavours of grapefruit and a touch of honey. Here is a wine with tonnes of personality, great value and strongly recommended.
3.5 Stars
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De Martino Legado Reserva Carmenère 2010, Maipo Valley
Maipo Valley, Chile$15.95
This wine opened up with aromas of black cherry, raspberry, cassis, underbrush, dried mint, savoury spices and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, intense, muscular texture, spicy black fruit and light herbal flavours, balanced acidity and firm tannins. This Carmenère has a long finish, with rich flavours and mild tannins lingering. This wine needed a little time to open up; decanting would be a very good idea since the tannins are quite aggressive at first but one hour later the wine becomes very smooth. It is better served with red meat, very enjoyable and a superb value.
3.5 Stars
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Sivas Sonoma Old Vine Zinfandel 2009, Sonoma County
California, Usa$18.95
This Zin opened up with a very fragrant bouquet of red cherry-wild berry fruit, cinnamon, allspice, vanilla, cedar and wood smoke aromas. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, ripe spicy fruit and slightly jammy, lively acidity and mild tannins. An interesting sweet and tart tug of war with crisp acidity, fine structure and a long staying power on the finish. This is a big wine, big alcohol and very comforting Zinfandel especially on these cold winter days (4 days in a row @ -30C with the windchill). Very good value and strongly recommended. Enjoyed on January 23, 2013.
3.5 Stars
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Castellani Poggio Al Casone La Cattura 2010, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$13.75
This wine opened up with an expressive bouquet with aromas of cherry, wild berries, plum, white pepper, violet, smoky and light cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, youthful, fresh with bright flavours, lively acidity and soft tannins. Medium length on the finish, silky smooth texture, juicy with great flavours lingering. A different kind of blend from Tuscany for sure, to serve with food and slightly chilled (to warm and the finish is a bit tart). An interesting wine, very enjoyable and great value as well. Enjoyed on January 18, 2013.
3.5 Stars
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