Trevor Sabourin
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Reviews (191)
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Algonquin College Certified Sommelier, and WSET Level 3 through Fine Vintage Ltd., Calgary
Reviews
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Chardonnay 2015, South Australia
Australia$16.15
This is a very well balanced, and very good value Australian chardonnay. The oak is substantial, but not overdone, and the wine has ample fruit to keep it fresh and enjoyable. On the nose there is ripe red apple, melon, pear, lemon, smoke, toasted almond, biscuit, and moderate vanilla and butter character. The palate shows baked apple, more lemony citrus, similar oak notes, and some baking spices and cream. The wine is a bit over medium-bodied, with well-balanced acidity. Pretty basic overall, but it is the balance and fruit quality that make this worth drinking. Pair with roast chicken. Tasted Nov. 2016.
3.0 Stars
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Time Meritage White 2014, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$25.00
White grapefruit, honeydew melon, red apple, baking spices, and some amount of butterscotch and smoke from the oak on the nose. A light herbaceous quality as well. Peach/apricot, lemon zest, white pepper, and a bit of green grass come through on the palate, with just a touch of the oak notes. Medium bodied, fresh, and balanced overall.
3.0 Stars
Falernia Carmenère Syrah Reserva 2013, Chile
Chile$19.99
This rich, full-bodied blend of carmenere and syrah (60% and 40% respectively) is from Chile's northernmost wine region, the Elqui Valley. The region is very hot and dry, but features cool night-time temperatures which retain freshness and balance in its wines. The aromas are of ripe dark cherry and blackberry, some dried cassis and fig, cedar, menthol, black pepper, smoked meat, mocha, green tobacco, and leather. The Flavours are similar, but offer more rich cocoa and vanilla, as well as some anise. This wine is big, plush, and ripe, with medium acidity and tannins just able to hold it together. The finish is quite long. Pair with smoky barbecued ribs, or other saucy and/or spicy grilled meats.
3.0 Stars
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Leyda Reserva Syrah 2014, Leyda Valley
San Antonio Valley, Chile$13.99
The intense nose is a contrast of perfectly ripe dark fruit (blackberry, blueberry, and plum), smoky notes of coffee, toasted almonds, cedar, graphite, and cured meats, and fresher elements of cracked peppercorns, violet, and eucalyptus. The concentration and purity of blackberry/blueberry fruit on the palate is complimented elegantly by eucalyptus, black olive, peppercorns, leather, and just the right amount of oak. The mouthfeel is silky and the tannins, though substantial enough, are very fine. The body is medium full, and the acidity medium high. This is an incredible value!
3.0 Stars
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Finca Las Moras Tannat Reserva 2014, San Juan, Cuyo
Argentina$13.99
This is a great value example of the little-known tannat grape. The nose offers ripe blackberry and blueberry, tobacco, dark chocolate, dried leaves/potpourri, smoke, anise, cedar, and vanilla. With air some graphite and leather come out. On the palate the fruit is tart and vibrant, with some wild raspberry and raspberry leaf joining in, and the dark chocolate, smoke, and tobacco repeating. There is also a bit of black pepper and an iron-like note. Both the tannins and the acidity are medium high, but the generous fruit and oak balance them nicely. Would benefit from decanting.
3.0 Stars
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Veedha Douro Red 2013
Douro, Portugal$14.00
This is a very good value, fruit-forward, easy-drinking wine. It is still very youthful, and the aromas and flavours are dominated by ripe cherry and plum, with some blackberry jam. There is well balanced oak, which adds some cocoa, vanilla, and baking spices, and there are also hints of mint, licorice, and tobacco. The wine is medium bodied, with balancing acidity and soft tannins. There is a pinch of residual sugar, but it is kept in balance nicely. This will be very versatile for food pairings. Perhaps not representative of more traditional Douro wines, but it is enjoyable and good value. It is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz (a.k.a. tempranillo).
3.0 Stars
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Road 13 Syrah 2015, BC VQA British Columbia
British Columbia, Canada$35.00
This Syrah pours a deep, glass-staining ruby purple, and contains small portions of other varieties: 3% viognier, 3% roussanne, and 2% mourvedre. It is from both Okanagan and Similkameen Valley grapes. The nose offers a lovely balance of ripe, dark fruit, (black plum, black cherry, blueberry) savoury, spicy notes (black pepper, sage, fennel, black olive) floral violet, and light touches of dark roast coffee and vanilla (oak). It also shows developing hints of smoked meat, leather, and forest floor. The palate is dense and full-bodied, with balancing acidity and medium-plus, smooth tannins. Flavours are similar to the aromas, but with stronger coffee, spicy, and savoury notes. Excellent finish. Falls somewhere between French and Australian style, yet is distinctly BC. Tasted July 2017.
3.0 Stars
Intersection Milepost Red 2011, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$18.84
Definitely a lighter, fruit-forward style of merlot. Lots of bright red strawberry and raspberry fruit, along with some sage, cinnamon, and just a touch of bell pepper. Vibrant and fresh.
3.0 Stars
Georges Duboeuf Clef Du Bief Moulin à Vent 2011
Beaujolais, France$19.75
This is a pleasantly balanced and fresh Cru-Beaujolais, if a bit simple. The nose features ripe red cherries and berries, with delicate tones of leather, anise, black pepper, forest floor, and cedar. On the medium bodied palate the fruit is vibrant cherry and cranberry, with the black pepper and anise coming through more strongly, and some mint and leather following. The medium high acidity and medium, chalky tannins, give balance and structure. The finish is medium length, with red fruit, black pepper, and forest floor. Would pair nicely with roast chicken or turkey. Tasted July 2016.
3.0 Stars
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Château Larose Perganson Cru Bourgeois 2010
Bordeaux, France$36.95
Almost opaque. Blackberry, cassis, cigar box, vanilla, clove, mint, graphite, and earth. A bit spicier on the palate, with some alcohol heat and black pepper notes. Massive structure and quite a bit of acidity. Long finish with cassis, mint, smoke, and minerality.
3.0 Stars
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