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
Quinta Dos Aciprestes Reserva 2007, Doc Douro
Portugal$21.95
Rich and aromatic, complex nose of ripe cherry fruit, raisins, vanilla and exotic spices. This wine is medium to full body with balance acidity and grainy tannins. The texture is fresh and velvety. This is a modern version of Portuguese wine, which should appeal to New World wine fans. Very enjoyable.
3.0 Stars
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3.0 Stars
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First Press Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Napa Valley
California, Usa$22.95
New Release November 13, 2010
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Eikendal Vineyards Reserve Chardonnay 2008, Wo Stellenbosch
South Africa$15.75
Medium body, apricot, melon, lime, toast and nutty. Not great complexity here, fresh acidity. Short to medium finish with melon flavour. Simple Chardonnay nothing special.
3.0 Stars
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Cono Sur 20 Barrels Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Maipo Valley
Chile$26.95
Nice aromatics; dark plums, blackberry, clove, cedar and roasted coffee. Mouth feel is smooth with more dark fruit, well integrated oak, balance acidity, dusty tannins and a bit peppery. Well made and elegant Cabernet. Tasted in January 2011.
3.0 Stars
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I Castei Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2006, Doc
Veneto, Italy$41.95
Wow, what an incredable nose on this Amarone. Aromas of dried berries, prune, raisins, fresh dates, soft leather and attractive cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied (with alcohol coming in at 15.5%), luscious fruit flavours, low acidity and velvet tannins. Very good length on the finish with rich, creamy concentrated flavours. The blend on this wine is 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella with the remaining 10% a combination of Molinara and other unspecified grapes. Amarone can some times be a little over the top when it comes to sweetness, for me, this one strikes the right balance between sweetness, tannins, alcohol and enough acidity to make it all very enjoyable.
3.0 Stars
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Bodegas Lan Crianza 2006, Doca Rioja
Spain$15.95
Sour cherry and church wood aromas, smooth texture, elegant and uncomplicated. Ready to drink at $15.00, a great buy.
3.0 Stars
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Quinta Nova Pomares 2008, Doc Douro, Touriga Nacional/Touriga Franca/Tinta Roriz
Portugal$16.95
The nose alone, let’s you know you are into old world territory. This wine complex aromatics are; cherries, plums, raspberries, sweet spices, church wood and soft leather. The mouth feel is well structured with balanced acidity and grainy tannins. Long berry with refreshing acidity on the finish. A truly enjoyable and charming wine, which I enjoyed with Vietnamese food.
3.0 Stars
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Domaine Roux Père & Fils Côte De Beaune Villages 2009, Ac
Burgundy, France$17.95
A beautifully aromatic wine, with strawberry, cherry, sweet spices and violet on the nose. Unfortunately this is where the good news ends; this Pinot Noir mouthfeel is thin with sour fruit, racy acidity and puckering tannins. This wine finish is long, tart and spicy. This is not a balanced wine in my book, not enough fruit to balance the high acidity and tannins. Over time the tannins will soften up, but it is hard for me to think that this wine will get any better.
3.0 Stars
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