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
Capezzana Barco Reale Di Carmignano 2008
Tuscany, Italy$17.95
This wine was released as part of there January 7 smart buys feature, and is a blend of 70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Canaiolo. I really liked the finesse of the aromatics with aromas of red cherry, plum, soft leather, savoury spices and cedar. On the palate, medium bodied (13.5% Alc.) balanced acidity, but unfortunately the great aromatics did not carry over into great flavour as the firm chalky tannins overpower the little fruit and flavours. The finish is thankfully short, thin and tannic. Sharing a bottle of wine, just the two of us should be enjoyable, savour the remaining few drops left, but this one was hard to finish. What to expect from a $15.95 bottle of wine? It's not a bad bottle, smart buy is all relative. I would rather spend $5.00 more and get a wine with better structure, balance and flavour. If you have purchased this wine, cellar for about a year, by then the tannins may soften a bit and open on a night when you want to open a lighter wine. As you may know, I am a big fan of Italian wines, but not this one.
3.0 Stars
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Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Shiraz 2009, Clare Valley, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$26.95
A beautiful deep violet-purple colour with aromas of red and black berries, chocolate, mint, vanilla, savoury and smoky notes. On the palate, rich and generous fruit flavours, medium to full bodied with alcohol feeling higher than the 14.5% described on the label, with lively acidity and fine grainy tannins. This Shiraz has great length on the finish with a creamy texture and flavours of ripe fruit, chocolate and savoury notes. Definitely enjoyable for those who enjoy a big and rich style of Shiraz.
3.0 Stars
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Maycas Del Limarí Especial Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Limarí Valley
Limari Valley, Chile$19.95
This wine is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and blended with 12% Syrah, the result of course adds extra layers of flavours and complexity. Aging took place in French oak barrels for 16 months, than 8 months in bottles before release. Very robust aromatics with dark plums, blueberries, blackcurrants, cedar, underbrush, black pepper and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, this Cabernet is medium-full bodied (with 14.5% alc.) with loads of flavour, well integrated oak, fresh acidity and firm tannins. This wine has a medium to long finish, very rich and smooth. What I like about this wine is that it can easily be paired with food like steak, roast beef or lamb or just as enjoyable on its own. Drinking well now or hold mid term 2-3 years in your cellar. Very nice wine here and strongly recommended.
3.0 Stars
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Tapestry Bg & V Shiraz 2009, Mclaren Vale, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$19.95
Here is a very enjoyable Aussie Shiraz which opened with aromas of dark plums - blackberry fruit, chocolate, and cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with alcohol coming in at 14%, very ripe and rich fruit but not overdone or jammy with velvet tannins. This Shiraz finish is long, creamy with rich concentrated flavours. Strongly recommended and a very good value for money.
3.0 Stars
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Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Maipo Valley
Maipo Valley, Chile$20.79
The deep intense purple color of this Cabernet Sauvignon opens up with aromas of black fruit, cassis, dried figs, cigar box and crack black pepper. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, black fruit, smoky and toasty oak flavours, low acidity and dusty tannins. Medium-long finish with oak characteristic and puckering, woody tannins lingering. I wish there would have been less oak and more acidity, on the palate, this Cabernet feels a bit heavy and somewhat clumsy. This wine was better on the second night, which meant decanting would be a good idea or to cellar, mid-term 1-2 years.
3.0 Stars
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Luigi Bosca De Sangre 2008, Luján De Cuyo, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$24.95
A beautiful ruby-violet in color and a very attractive aromatics with aromas of black currants, black cherry, strawberry, spice box, violet and camp fire smoke. On the palate, medium-full bodied (14.5% Alc.), juicy texture with good energy, lively acidity and silky tannins. Very tasty and good length on the finish with savoury notes, fresh berry and black currants and some light tannins lingering. I was concerned that the tannins would have been too much, but I found it drinking well right now. Possibly cellar 2-3 years. This red blend is easy drinking, good value and strongly recommended.
3.0 Stars
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Quinta De La Rosa Tinto 2008, Doc Douro
Portugal$19.95
This wine opens up with aromas of ripe plums, black cherry, soft leather, floral and toasty cedar notes. On the palate, medium-full bodied, soft texture with refreshing acidity and dusty tannins. Very good length on the finish with berry fruit, white pepper and a slight sweet herbal flavours all wrapped up by fine tannins which gives it a mild dryness. A very attractive, elegant and well structured wine here, I especially like the texture of the tannins.
3.0 Stars
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Brotte Château De Bord La Croix De Frégère Côtes Du Rhône Villages Laudun 2009, Ac
Rhône, France$16.95
This Rhone blend opens up with aromas of sweet raspberry, black cherry, plums, licorice, sweet and savoury spices and dried floral notes. On the palate, fresh with white pepper notes, medium-full bodied (alcohol coming in at 14.5%), balanced acidity and dusty tannins. The finish is tasty and spicy with good depth of flavours. Well priced and strongly recommended
3.0 Stars
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Poderi Angelini Primitivo Di Manduria 2008
Puglia, Italy$18.95
An interesting bouquet on this Primitivo with aromas of raspberry-cherry fruit, stewed plum, exotic spices, wood smoke and light herbal notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, dry, soft seductive fruit and light cedar flavours, balanced acidity and silky tannins. On the finish, medium length with a beautiful soft texture and well integrated flavours.
I wasn’t sure what to think about this Primitivo at first, but it really grew on me. There is a real Italian feel and charming rusticity to this Primitivo and I especially loved the savoury soft maturing fruit character of this wine. The surprising thing for me was how well integrated and almost unnoticeable the 15% alcohol was. It was ready to go after a one hour decant and best served at around 17ºC or 18ºC. Great value and strongly recommended.
3.0 Stars
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Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
California, Usa$27.95
The hallmark of Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley have always been its aromatics. This 2009 vintage certainly does everything right, with aromas of blueberry, plum, cassis, cedar, toast, hint of pepper and light tobacco notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, well integrated flavours, balance acidity and soft velvet tannins. Very good length on the finish, very smooth with flavours of chocolate, cedar, tobacco and blueberry pie lingering. A very nice middle of the road California Cabernet, very elegant and stylish and at a good price. Strongly recommended
3.0 Stars
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