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
Tim Adams Cabernet/Malbec 2006, Clare Valley, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$22.35
This wine pours a deep purple in color with aromas of blackcurrant, black plum, fresh sage, eucalyptus, burnt sugar, smoky and peppery notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, thick, rich creamy flavours of black fruit and wood spices, dusty tannins and mild acidity. Very good weight and flavours on the finish with layers of creamy richness and persistent tannins lingering. Enjoy now but should keep improving over the next 3-5 years. Much enjoyed by all three of us who had the chance to share this bottle.
3.0 Stars
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Mount Langi Ghiran Kneebones Shiraz 2007, Grampian, Victoria
Victoria, Australia$16.25
This cool climate Shiraz opened up with blackberry-blueberry fruit, cassis, spice cake, dried fruit subtle, mint and savoury notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with alcohol coming in at 14.5%, harmonious well balanced texture, spicy crushed wild berries flavours, lively acidity and fine grained tannins. The finish is long, juicy, very smooth and delicious. This is a very enjoyable, mature wine with a great savoury personality. Strongly recommended.
3.0 Stars
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Casale Dello Sparviero Riserva Chianti Classico 2009, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$18.95
This wine opened up with a very interesting bouquet of red cherry, raspberry, violets, licorice, tobacco leaf and savoury spices. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, red fruit flavours, spicy with lively acidity and fine dusty tannins. It has a great depth and length on the finish with underlying earthiness and flavours of sour cherry, prune and cedar notes lingering. This is a very youthful, bright, traditional style of Chianti Classico Riserva and a definite food wine, best paired with Italian pasta in a tomato based sauce or an antipasto platter with strong cheese. This is a good value Chianti with an edgy personality, very enjoyable.
3.0 Stars
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Salomon Undhof Wieden & Berg Tradition Grüner Veltliner 2011, Dac Kremstal
Kremstal, Austria$14.75
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Kellerei Kaltern Caldaro Pinot Grigio 2011, Doc Alto Adige
Alto Adige-Trentino, Italy$16.95
A bright yellow in color, this Pinot Grigio opened up with aromas of tangerine, pear, apple, nutty and floral notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, crisp and lively flavours with excellent fruit-acid balance. Very good length on the finish, intense flavours of citrus and tropical fruit plus a noticeable minerality. This is a very enjoyable cool climate wine and a superb value at this price. Strongly recommended.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Pinyolet Garnacha 2011, Do Montsant
Catalonia, Spain$18.95
This wine is 100% dry farmed and organically grown Garnacha (Grenache) from 50 (plus) year old vines, aged completely in stainless steel on its lees for 6 months (no oak barrels) and alcohol comes in at 14%.
This wine opened up with ripe aromas of strawberry-raspberry fruit, soft leather, herbs and spices with a stony minerality notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, dry, spicy and very flavourful with fresh acidity and silky tannins. This Grenache has a juicy fruit driven finish with loads of energy and length. A great summer wine, but I can’t emphasize enough that this wine is better served slightly chilled (around 16 to 17 °C). As it was warming up it almost felt like a different wine, with the ripe fruit character of this Grenache turning slightly tart. Overall a charming and very interesting wine.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Del Jalón Altos Las Pizarras 2005, Do Calatayud
Spain$22.95
Very inviting and sophisticated nose here; cherries, plums, floral, savoury and spicy. Medium body, entry is spicy with light berries and sandalwood notes, crisp acidity and dusty tannins. I often find that Grenache can be to alcoholic but this one at 13.6% is reasonable. Food wine for sure. This wine would definitely improve over the next 2-3 years. Lovely wine.
3.0 Stars
(0)V