Paul Forget
|
Followers (13)
|
|
|
Following (7)
|
Reviews (370)
|
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
Poggio Valente Morellino Di Scansano Riserva 2006
Tuscany, Italy$29.95
A very aromatic wine here with red and black fruit, licorice, new leather, smoke, forest floor and hints of violet aromas. With alcohol coming in at 14.5%, this medium to full body mouthfeel with balanced acidity and woody tannins. The finish on this wine is long with persistent tannins, austere and a bit tart. Great potential with nice aromatics but clearly needs time before it reaches its full potential, best after 2013-14.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
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
(0)V
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
(0)V
Campigli Vallone 'terre Nere' Brunello Di Montalcino 2006, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$42.95
A superb mature nose on this Brunello, with aromas of field berries, sour cherries, red currants, soft leather and lots of savoury spices. On the mouthfeel, a medium-full bodied wine with alcohol coming in at 14%, excellent fruit-acid balance and silky tannins. The length on this Brunello finish is long, slightly hot with flavours of sweet berry fruit, savoury spices and a nice silky texture. This is a very nice Brunello, which is shows a beautiful maturing, elegant and feminine personality. At this price, strongly recommended.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Pasquale Petrera Fatalone Primitivo 2006, Doc Gioia Del Colle
Puglia, Italy$19.95
Here is an interesting mature wine, everything from its color, intriguing aromatics and mouthfeel with no resemblance to its sibling in California. This wine opens up with aromas of sour cherry, blueberry, dried fruit, soft leather, nutty and mineral notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied (alcohol coming in at 15%), low acidity and fine dusty tannins. Medium length on the finish, very smooth with flavours of sour cherry, dried fruit and spices lingering. This Primitivo tasted like a Tawny Port without the 40% alcohol. An off the beaten path wine that is worth the detour.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Rodney Strong Reserve Chardonnay 2009, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
California, Usa$44.95
This Chardonnay opened up with an elegant bouquet of pears, mandarin, lemon custard, toasted hazelnut and light vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, smooth entry with flavours of citrus, pears, vanilla and spices with refreshing acidity. This wine finish is long, slightly creamy with luscious fruit character, light spices and refreshing. Definitely my style of Chardonnay, a wine with lots of finesse and elegance where the oak treatment is carefully restrained leaving the quality of the fruit to shine. Gorgeous wine, strongly recommended.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Pascal Jolivet Sancerre 2010, Ac
Loire, France$29.95
This 100% Sauvignon Blanc was greeny straw in colour and opened up with aromas of grapefruit, lime, fresh chives, floral and mineral notes. On the palate, medium bodied, low alcohol at 12.5%, bright and edgy texture with racy acidity and citrus flavours. The finish is long, rich and refreshing. This wine is definitely made to enjoy with food like white fish, shellfish or grilled chicken salad with goat cheese. Very attractive Sauvignon Blanc.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel 2010, Sonoma County
California, Usa$29.95
What beautiful, sensuous aromatics on this Zin, with aromas of wild berry/blueberry fruit, tobacco, black pepper, smoky and exotic spices notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, savoury, spicy, bright forward ripe fruit, balance acidity and velvet tannins. Very good weight and length on the finish, layered by delicious forward fruit, raisins and pepper, slightly sweet with alcohol appearing at the end. Again, awesome Zinfandel from Seghesio, almost as outstanding has their 2007 vintage. Strongly recommended.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Domaine Grand Veneur Clos De Sixte 2009, Ac Lirac
Rhône, France$24.95
What a beautiful wine here, a real Southern Rhône charmer. The Lirac 2009 Clos de Sixte is a blend of 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 15% Mourvedre, its smell like a Châteauneuf-du-Pape yet very approachable right now. On the nose, I definitely get the Grenache aromas, ripe raspberry, wild strawberry, violets, savoury spices and loads of licorice. Medium to full body with alcohol coming in at 15%, but this wine is so well balanced the alcohol is barely noticeable, the acidity is crisp with silky tannins. The wine finish is long, spicy with strawberry jam flavours and lots of licorice. This wine just blew me away, so well balanced with great aromatics and how spicy, fresh and lively the mouthfeel was. Great value and strongly recommended.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
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
(0)V