Trevor Sabourin
Followers (0)
|
|
Following (0)
|
Reviews (191)
|
Algonquin College Certified Sommelier, and WSET Level 3 through Fine Vintage Ltd., Calgary
Reviews
Château Les Gravières 2010, Ac Saint émilion
Bordeaux, France$36.85
Opaque ruby. Beautiful bouquet of blackberry, super ripe plum, cedar, vanilla, eucalyptus, baking spices, violets, and lavender. Nice repeat, with some tart cherry and clove spice. Full-bodied with dense tannic structure, but still somehow almost luscious. Long mineral, spice, and floral finish. Would probably be sublime in ten years.
Xanadu Chardonnay 2014, Margaret River, Western Australia
Western Australia, Australia$29.75
This is a deliciously balanced chardonnay from Margaret River, Western Australia. It offers a fairly intense nose of lemon, pear, orange zest, pineapple, peach, toasted almond and hazelnut, crème brulée, honeysuckle, biscuit, sage, and a saline, mineral note. In the mouth it is silky textured, with bright, medium-high acids, and very well-integrated alcohol. The flavours repeat and lead to a long, citrusy, mineral, savoury finish. Lovely. The balance of fruit and oak is spot on. The choice to forego malolactic fermentation was judicious and really allowed the fruit to shine. Tasted May 2017.
Michele Castellani Cinque Stelle Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2009, Collezione Ca' Del Pipa, Doc
Veneto, Italy$48.75
Slightly bricking in color. Loads of dried/cooked fruit aromas of prune, blackberry jam, and raisin are offset nicely by chocolate mint, baking spice, tobacco, leather, and an intense cedar note. The palate is similar, but with some black olive and clove. Very full, lots of tannins, but velvety. Long finish with more raisin, prune, chocolate mint, and some smoke.
Grand Vin De Glenelly Red 2009, Wo Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch, South Africa$19.95
Very complex, well developed bouquet: cassis, prune, blackberry, tobacco, eucalyptus, vanilla, cedar, old leather, forest floor, and cocoa. After getting some air it offered touches of violet, burnt sugar, and roasted bell pepper. Repeats on the palate, but with some black pepper and the fruit leaning more toward dark cherry. Quite full-bodied and structured, with medium-high acidity and tannins, but at this point very supple and well-integrated. Excellent length, finishing with dried black fruit, cocoa, and black pepper.
Le Vieux Pin Syrah Cuvée Classique 2012, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$45.00
Ripe blueberry, blackberry, sage, black olive, black pepper, licorice, cured meats, and violet on the nose. Repeats with some baking spice, and tons of savoury sage and cedar. Full bodied, with medium high tannins and acidity. Probably needs a couple more years to integrate and show at its best.
Le Vieux Pin équinoxe Syrah 2012, VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$79.99
Very concentrated and dense. Aromas of fresh dark cherries, blackberry, blueberry, violet, black pepper, tobacco, sage, black olive, leather, and cinnamon stick. More blueberry on the palate. Full-bodied, lots of tannins, medium high acidity. Would probably be lovely in 5-10 years.
Pierre Amadieu Romane Machotte Gigondas 2012, Rhône Valley
Rhône, France$28.95
Lovely nose of sweet, ripe raspberry, dark cherry, blackberry, sage, white pepper, olive, licorice, violet, and just the right amount of earthy, smoky, and meaty character. The sweet, savoury, and earthy elements bring great tension and balance on the palate, along with notes of cocoa and a bit of menthol. Medium-full bodied, round and supple, but with substantial tannins that still have some grip to them. The finish is quite long. This wine is drinking well now but could certainly last (and develop further) another 5-10 years. Tasted January 2016.
Travaglini Gattinara 2009, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$31.95
Very aromatic nose of dried cranberry and raspberry, fig, dried violets and roses, earth and dried leaves, old leather, nutmeg, sweet tobacco, and a bit of tar. Loads of dried red fruit, sweet tobacco, earth, and some savoury notes of sage and olive on the palate. Though the wine feels no more than medium-bodied, the tannins and acids are definitely high and give a very dry, dusty mouthfeel. It is quite well integrated, and should age well for another 5-10 years. This is a classic Nebbiolo at a more affordable price than a Barolo or Barbaresco, and is just the thing to pair with a mushroom risotto. Paired incredibly with a barley-squash risotto with cremini mushrooms.
Puklus Pincészet Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2008, Tokaj Hegyalja (500ml)
Hungary$28.75
Beautiful. Peach, apricot jam, ripe pineapple, mint, lemon, orange blossom, and honey. Aromas repeat, but with more lemon rind and some tangerine and vanilla. Unctuous and rich, but never cloying thanks to high acidity which keeps it fresh and lively. beautiful finish.
Lustau Solera Reserva Dry Amontillado Los Arcos
Andalusia, Spain$17.95
Great Value. Aromas of caramel coated apple, toasted almond, lemon, raisin, and green olive. Brine and a hint of clove add to these on the palate. Hint of alcohol heat and a long finish.