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
Crama Girboiu Varancha Feteasca Regala Demisec 2012, Ig Vrancea Hills
Romania, World$11.75
An intriguing wine. Aromas of sweet red apple, lemon/lime citrus, pineapple, peach, melon, honey, fresh cut grass, white flowers, and minerality. At first it hits the palate with all sweetness: ripe peach and red apple, and lots of honey. It quickly moves through citrus and becomes lean and savoury with flavours of orange rind, salty minerals, underripe pineapple, fresh cut grass, white pepper and almond. Good viscosity and medium weight. Lots of acidity to balance the sweetness. Fair length, with honey, lime, peach, almond, and salty minerality persisting.
3.0 Stars
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Paz De Finca Las Moras Malbec 2013, San Juan
San Juan, Argentina$17.99
This Malbec from the San Juan region of Argentina is powerful, and balanced. The nose shows blueberry, plum, dried cherry, lots of fragrant violet and mint tones, vanilla, white pepper, anise, cigar box, and a bit of coffee and earth. In the mouth this wine is intense and full-bodied, with generous ripe blueberry and plum contrasting with rich dark chocolate, and the other aromas repeating but taking a lesser role. The alcohol is high (14.5%), and there is mild volatility, but the medium high acidity and slightly grippy tannins keep thing balanced. The finish is long and chocolate-tinged. Just plain tasty. Pair with gourmet burgers or even steak. Tasted Nov. 2016.
3.0 Stars
Black Sage Merlot 2012, VQA Bc Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$22.95
A ripe, fruit-forward merlot that shows some nice restraint and structure. Bouquet of jammy black fruit, roasted bell peppers, mocha, vanilla, sweet baking spices, smoke, and pencil shavings. Lots of dark cherry upfront on the palate, then more roasted bell pepper, mocha, and warming baking spice. Round and juicy. Medium-full bodied. Medium acidity and medium-high, slightly gritty tannins. This wine would probably be better integrated in a year or so.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Le Clairon Des Anges 2014, Costieres De Nimes
Rhône, France$13.60
This blend of Grenache, syrah, and mourvedre, is from the Southern Rhone appellation of Costieres de Nimes, and offers good value and textbook Southern Rhone characteristics. The nose offers fresh plum and mixed red and black berry fruit, spicy black pepper and anise, sage, and just a touch of cedar and oak spice. The juicy, medium bodied palate offers the same, with medium tannins and some alcohol warmth. What this wine lacks in complexity it makes up for in value and food-friendliness. Try it with barbecued pork chops or burgers. Tasted Oct. 2016.
3.0 Stars
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River Stone Cabernet Franc River Rock Vineyards 2013, VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$26.00
This shows amazing varietal character and minerality. Very old-world style. Lots of raspberry, dark cherry, green bell pepper, pencil shavings, bitter chocolate, and leather. Also has that fantastic Okanagan sage aroma. Well-structured, with medium-high acids and dusty tannins. Repeats on the palate. This will probably show even better in a few years. Very good length.
3.0 Stars
Le Vieux Pin Vaila Rosé 2014, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$25.00
Delightfully crisp and refreshing rosé, but quite substantial too. Loaded with tart red fruit aromas of cranberry, cherry, and raspberry. Some lime zest, grapefruit and minerality as well. Medium bodied, with light tannins, and high acidity coming across on the palate as cranberry and pink grapefruit.
3.0 Stars
Familia Castaño Hécula Monastrell 2013, Do Yecla
Spain$14.95
This is a great value. It offers rich, ripe fruit flavours with a touch of oak, full-body, and some more Old-World spicy and savoury qualities. The aromas center around jammy raspberry and dark cherry, with some licorice, black pepper, cedar, and smokey/gamey tones. The fruit shows more freshness and restraint on the palate, allowing for the spicy, savoury characteristics to show more. The acidity is fresh, the tannins are slightly coarse, and there is some volatility. There is a decent length, cocoa-tinged finish. Tasted Apr. 2017.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
El Petit Bonhomme 2014, Jumilla
Murcia, Spain$13.29
An excellent value, tasty, somewhat more New-World style blend of Monastrell (Mourvedre), Garnacha (Grenache), and Syrah. The nose is dominated by very ripe fruit like cherry pie filling, raspberry, blueberry, and fig, along with sweet black olive, licorice, black pepper, and subtle hints of milk chocolate, cedar, earth, and meatiness. Bright and juicy fruit greets the palate, and then black pepper, clove, tobacco, and smoke take shape. Medium-full bodied, with juicy acidity and soft, moderate tannins. Finishes with cocoa, clove, and tobacco. A fun, tasty wine to pair with BBQed fare.
3.0 Stars
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Norton Barrel Select Malbec 2014
Mendoza, Argentina$14.45
This is pretty well all smoky oak and mocha on the nose, with a touch of cooked black fruit and licorice. Shows a bit more jammy dark plums and blackberry on the palate, but the smoke/toast/mocha takes over again. Heavy and somewhat cloying overall.
3.0 Stars
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Les Jamelles Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Vin De Pays D'oc
France$14.80
This is pleasingly fruity, simple, and well-balanced: an excellent value at the price. Aromas are of dark cherries, raspberry, and blackberry, with just traces of toasty vanilla, menthol, and mocha. The palate is pretty much the same, but even more fruit forward, though the mocha comes back just a bit on the finish. The body and tannins are medium, and the acidity is medium-high. Pair with pizza or lighter pasta dishes.
3.0 Stars
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