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
Benziger Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
California, Usa$29.95
Deep violet in colour with aromas of blackberry, dark cherry, vanilla, cassis, leather and smoky. This Cabernet is very dry, full body with alcohol coming in at 14.5%, concentrated flavours, fine acidity and firm tannins. The finish is long with flavours of black cherry, cassis and puckering tannins. Enjoyable now if you don’t mind the tannins but, lacking finesse right now. It should be much better after shedding some of its oak, demands two to three years in the cellar.
4.0 Stars
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Quinta Do Vale Meao Meandro 2008
Douro, Portugal$24.95
This concentrated wine is made with premium grapes usually used in the production of Port. The exact blend is 35% Touriga Franca, 25% Touriga Nacional, 25% Tinta Roriz, 5% Sousão, 5% Tinta Amarela and 5% Tinta Cao, aged in second and third year French Allier oak barriques. This wine opens up with aromas of blueberry and blackberry fruit, dried violet, leather, earthy, burnt toast , cedar and dried herb. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied (alcohol coming in at 14%), rich, yet well structured with good acidity and firm tannins. The finish is long dry with silky texture and dark fruit and earthy notes lingering. Very traditional and gorgeous wine here, and at this price, a very good value. Strongly recommended
4.0 Stars
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Artezin Zinfandel 2010, Mendocino County
California, Usa$24.50
In a blind tasting this wine would be easily recognizable as a Zinfandel, from its medium ruby colour, but don’t let that light colour fool you. The nose is very expressive with a rich and fruity mouthfeel and a explosive flavourful finish, classic Zin. This wine is a blend of mostly Zinfandel at 89% with Petite Sirah at 10% an Carignan at 1%, maturation took place in 100% French oak (second and third fill).
This wine opened up with aromas of ripe berries, plum, fresh herbs, black pepper, vanilla and cinnamon notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with delicious forward fruit flavours, crisp acidity and silky tannins. This Zin finish is very long, spicy, fruit focused with light tannins and a bit of heat from the 14.9% alcohol. Just a beautiful and well made juicy red here with great purity of fruit and carefully restrained oak, strongly recommended.
4.0 Stars
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Verbena Brunello Di Montalcino 2007, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$39.95
Here is a sophisticated, very elegant style of Brunello with gorgeous aromatics. This wine opens up with aromas of cherry, plum, tobacco, exotic spices, violet, cedar wood and earthy notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied (alcohol coming in at 14%), dry, rich texture, good energy in the mouth, fresh acidity and grainy, chewy tannins. Beautifully robust, complex finish with great flavours, mixing power (tannins) with elegance. Drinking nicely now (after 1 hour in decanter), should age brilliantly over the next 3 to 5 years. This wines strength for me is its aromatics and finish, very enjoyable and strongly recommended, went back and purchase another bottle.
4.0 Stars
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Poliziano Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2007, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$29.95
From the very successful 2007 Tuscan vintage, classic Sangiovese aromas of black cherry, blackcurrant, forest floor, mushroom, damp earth and savoury. On the palate, this wine is medium to full body (14.5% alcohol) and offers a good contrast between rich and concentrated fruit and earthy notes, with balanced acidity and firm tannins. The opening aromas continue through, with a smokey, earthy and dark fruit through a long and dry finish. If you drink now, this wine should be decanted for about one hour, or keep it in the bottle for one or two years, this will allow for greater integration of the flavours. Great Value and strongly recommended.
4.0 Stars
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St. Urbans Hof Riesling Kabinett 2009, Qmp, Ockfener Bockstein
Mosel, Germany$16.25
This medium-dry Riesling Kabinett offers suttle aromas of peach, lime, green apple, wet stone and intense minerality. Slightly sweet and creamy on the mouthfeel but well balanced by racy acidity and low alcohol at 8%. Long creamy finish with interesting tension between tree fruit and minerals.
4.0 Stars
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Hecht & Bannier Côtes Du Roussillon Villages 2008, Ac
Languedoc, France$20.25
What incredible aromatics on this wine with aromas of sweet ripe berries, blackberry, prunes, savoury herbs, smoke, leather and some mineral component. On the palate, medium bodied, balance acidity, well integrated tannins. Very good length and smooth on the finish with flavours of ripe berries, vanilla and savoury spices. A very elegant, finely textured, fruit driven and fragrant wine at a great value.
4.0 Stars
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Summers Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Napa Valley
California, Usa$45.95
This wine opens up with a very sensuous aromas of rich ripe fruit, stewed blackberry, black currants, vanilla and attractive oak notes. Medium to full bodied (with alcohol at 14.1%) with luscious flavours, balanced acidity, silky tannins with all elements well integrated. Medium length on the finish with fine grained tannins, savoury flavours and very smooth. Strongly recommended.
4.0 Stars
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La Chablisienne Chablis Montmains Premier Cru 2009
Burgundy, France$32.95
From the cooperative La Chablisienne, this Chardonnay opens up with aromas of citrus fruit (lemon-lime), yellow plum, roasted almond,oyster shell, floral and minerals notes. On the monthfeel, dry, medium bodied, crisp acidity with flavours of green apple and citrus fruit. Medium length and dry on the finish, with strong minerality shining through. Classic, refreshing Chablis
4.0 Stars
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Rust En Vrede Estate 2007, Wo Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch, South Africa$37.95
The strong Cabernet component comes through on the nose with lovely aromas of black cherry, plum, cassis, pine needles, wood spices, smoke and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with great flavours of black fruit, coffee and savoury spices, light acidity, rounded tannins but hot from the alcohol. Decent length on the finish, great flavours initially but then again, the hot alcohol quitly kills the flavours. There is no doubt that there is a lot of effort that went into making this wine; I just wish the alcohol wasn’t over the top. It makes this wine a little un-balance. I strongly recommend decanting for at least one hour before serving. I was left a bit disappointed, was expecting much better. Tasted October 14, 2012.
4.0 Stars
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