Paul Forget
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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
Descendientes De J. Palacios Pétalos 2009, Do Bierzo
Galicia, Spain$25.00
This wine is made with the lesser known Mencia grape, which is mostly grown in Portugal and Spain. The nose on this wine was very different. It would make for an interesting wine in a blind tasting with aromas of wild berry, strawberry, minerals, mushrooms, tobacco leaves and floral notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied but even with alcohol at 15%/ A well balanced wine with rich red fruit flavours, refreshing acidity and silky tannins. Very good length on the finish with spicy red fruit flavours, smoky notes and fine tannins lingering. A very interesting wine to be sure, but it works.
4.0 Stars
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Muratie Shiraz 2007, Wo Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch, South Africa$24.95
This wine arrives somewhere between a Rhône Syrah and Australian Shiraz, with aromas of black fruit, cocoa, tobacco, spices, meaty and floral notes. This medium to full bodied Shiraz mouthfeel is rich, dry, intense with concentrated flavours, lively acidity and smooth ripe tannins. This wine finish is long with excellent depth of flavours, savoury and meaty style of Shiraz. On a more technical note, this wine is 100% Shiraz, aging took place in 90% French oak and 10% American oak with alcohol coming in at 14.5%. I am no longer surprised by the quality of South African wines around the $25.00 price range. Very enjoyable and strongly recommended
4.0 Stars
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Fontodi Chianti Classico 2008
Tuscany, Italy$36.95
This is certainly a serious example of Chianti Classico to be sure, from its dark opaque ruby color to its earthy bouquet with aromas of black cherry, plum, dried mushroom, tobacco, leather, oak spices and earthy/peaty notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, firm structure with grippy tannins and flavours dominated by oak characteristics. This Chianti finish is long and intense with very concentrated flavours of cherries and cedarwood plus those same grippy/chewy tannins lingering. I usually enjoy Chianti with pasta but this one calls for meat like steak or lamb. This wine is not quite ready for prime time yet, to do it justice, 3-5 years in your cellar would be beneficial. Enjoyed on December 20, 2012.
4.0 Stars
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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
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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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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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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
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Storybook Mountain Mayacamas Range Napa Estate Zinfandel 2009, Napa Valley
California, Usa$69.95
Beautiful colour in this Zin, on the nose, this wine opens up with aromas of ripe berries, plum, red currants, figs, fruitcake, black pepper and savoury notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, even at 14.9% alcohol, this wine is well balanced by classic Zin ripe fruit, fresh acidity and smooth tannins. This is definitely a more restrained, less extracted, elegant style of Zinfandel. Is this a great wine? Yes, does it represent a good value? No, not in this market. I don’t feel like I am enjoying a $47.00 wine, it sells for $36.00 in the US which I feel is the appropriate price.
4.0 Stars
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Lealtanza Reserva 2005, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$19.95
A nice exotic bouquet on this Rioja with aromas of ripe berry fruit, Asian spices, soft leather and old wood notes. On the palate, medium bodied (with alcohol coming in at 13.5 %), spicy red and black fruit, good acidity and velvet tannins. This wine finish is long, very smooth and somewhat spicy. This is a nice bottle of Rioja for fans of the more traditional style with good value for money. Strongly recommended, enjoyed in May 2012.
4.0 Stars
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Ridge Lytton Springs 2009, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
California, Usa$50.95
This wine opened up with a sexy bouquet of blackberry-plumy fruit, raisins, grilled toast, cigar, incense and sweet, exotic spices. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, well structured by rich briary fruit, mild acidity and firm but not overbearing tannins. With an excellent depth of flavours on the finish, fine texture, soft seductive fruit and gentle oak spices lingering. This is my go to producer of great zin blend wines and in this vintage; Ridge Lytton Springs 2009 is especially delicious. Very enjoyable.
4.0 Stars
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