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
Jackson Estate 'stich' Alt Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Wairau Valley, Marlborough
Marlborough, New Zealand$19.95
Beautiful and fresh aromatics in this unoaked Sauvignon Blanc, with aromas of lemon, grapefruit and pineapple. On the mouthfeel it is medium bodied (with alcohol coming in at 13%) with flavours of sweet and sour fruit, excellent fruit and acid balance. This Sauvignon Blanc finish is long, a bit edgy and slightly tart like citrus pit. Definitely better with food.
3.0 Stars
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Don Jacobo Reserva 2004
Rioja, Spain$21.95
Light ruby in color, this Rioja opened up with a very maturing bouquet of wild strawberry, sour cherry, plum preserve, cedar, gentle wood spices and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied with a silky textured, fresh acidity and fine dusty tannins. Medium length on the finish with flavours of sweet and sour fruit, cedar, exotic spices and a underlying earthiness lingering. Where else other than Spain can you find an 8 year old mature wine, ready to enjoy for $17.95? I am a fan of a more traditional style of Rioja just like this one. Perfect pairing? How about a cheese platter with charcuterie, dried fruit and nuts? Strongly recommended, enjoyed on January 19, 2013.
3.0 Stars
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Tabalí Reserva Especial 2009, Limarí Valley
Limari Valley, Chile$23.95
This wine opened up with intense aromatics and flavours of blueberry, blackberry, black currants, pain grillé, exotic spices, sandalwood, and gamey notes. On the mouthfeel, full-bodied, robust, well structured with flavours of dark fruit, cedar and spices, crisp acidity and considerable woodsy tannins. Very good length on the finish with loads of power, rich flavours and chalky tannins. I enjoyed this wine so much, I returned to the shop to buy replacements. This time I will wait an additional 1-2 years before opening my next bottle, it needs time to fully integrate and for the tannins to soften to provide drinking pleasure over the next 4-5 years at least. Fantastic value and strongly recommended.
3.0 Stars
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Candor Lot 7 Zinfandel, Lodi
California, Usa$18.75
Candor Lot 3 is a blend of Zinfandel from three different vintages; 2008 represents 6% of the blend, 2009 78% and 2010 16%. The fruit are grown in two regions, Lodi with about 65% with the remaining 35% from Paso Robles. Maturation was predominantly in American oak and alcohol comes in at 14.5%.
This Zinfandel opened up with an attractive and ripe bouquet of blueberry, plum and red berry fruit, fruitcake, light cedar, vanilla and savoury notes. On the mouthfeel, a medium-full bodied wine with delicious ripe fruit covering the palate, fine texture, balanced acidity and silky tannins. The finish is long, very smooth, fruit driven and those same lovely silky tannins lingering. This is a beautiful, well balanced, aromatic and delicious wine with great Zin character and highly unlikely to disappoint. Strongly recommended.
2.5 Stars
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Sterling Merlot 2009, Napa Valley
California, Usa$24.95
This wine is blend of 82% Merlot, and in a supporting role 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Zinfandel and the remaining 6% on specific (other) varietals with maturation in French and American oak for 14 months, alcohol comes in at 14.4%.
You would think will all these different grapes that this wine would be complex and interesting, but unfortunately this is not the case. What we have is a muted bouquet of stewed berries, dirty leather, oak and spices. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, dry and not that fruity, with low acidity and fine grained tannins. This Merlot’s finish has a medium length with flavours dominated by oak characteristics. Not the kind of Merlot I would usually prefer, which is juicy, plumy, savoury and easy drinking. This one feels highly manipulated and actually feels more like a Cabernet. Disappointing, especially at this price.
2.5 Stars
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Carrick Pinot Noir 2007, Central Otago, South Island
New Zealand$39.95
This Pinot as a sophisticated bouquet of cherry, plums, savoury, violet and slight earthiness. On the palate, medium body with fresh acidity, well integrated tannins and cherry, chocolate and cedar flavours on the mouth fell. The finish is long with spicy cocoa. Very enjoyable and intense Pinot here, well done. Will keep my remaining bottle for a year or two.
2.0 Stars
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Ridge Lytton Springs 2007, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
California, Usa$48.95
Ridge sure know how to do blends and this wine has great aromatics; dark plums, blueberries, cassis and cedar The palate is well structure with rich flavour, lively acidity and firm tannins. Long espresso finish wrapped in fine tannins. I really enjoy Ridge Zinfandel, they are never over the top jammy or alcohol. This wine has great flavours, class and could age 2 to 4 years easy. Yummy
1.0 Stars
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