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
Trapiche Extravaganza 2014
Mendoza, Argentina$15.95
Opens with aromas of cherry pie filling, blackberry jam, milk chocolate, and some exotic lavender, clove, cardamom, and minty notes. Repeats on the palate with a touch of black pepper. Unfortunately, there is too much residual sugar so the wine is jammy and off-balance. There is moderate acidity and tannins, but it is not enough to counteract all that sweetness. Seems a touch soupy and medicinal too. Give this a light chill and pair it with spicy meat dishes.
2.5 Stars
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Alceño 12 Meses Monastrell 2011, Do Jumilla
Murcia, Spain$15.95
Some jammy cooked strawberry, cherry, and prune, but dominated on the nose by oak, with some vanilla, cedar, cocoa, menthol, a bit of black pepper, and some volatile acidity. Tart (and somewhat bitter) cherry, black pepper, menthol, and a vague woodiness come across very strongly on the palate. Medium body, with medium plus acidity and tannins. Rather hot alcohol, especially on the finish.
2.5 Stars
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Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz 2012, Padthaway
South Australia, Australia$15.95
Definitely a "cool climate" Australian Shiraz. Lean and elegant, with red and black fruit balancing black pepper spice, vanilla, and a hint of cocoa.
2.5 Stars
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Quinta Do Roncão Reserva 2012, Doc Douro
Douro, Portugal$14.95
Simple yet tasty. Ripe blackberry, plum, prune, and fig, as well as smoke, black olive, baking spices, eucalyptus, and vanilla on the nose. The fruit is more fresh on the palate (Blackberry, raspberry, plum, hint of raisin), and a bit of menthol and clove come out. Medium full body and acidity, with substantial grippy tannins. Finishes medium-long with blackberry, clove, and cocoa notes.
2.5 Stars
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Hillside Rose 2015, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$18.96
This rosé pours a very light ruby colour, about as dark as rosés get. It is in a dry, high-alcohol, fairly extracted and savoury style which seems to be very common amongst Okanagan wineries. It is a blend of mostly merlot, with some malbec and cabernet franc. The merlot and cabernet franc make themselves very present with a pungent (though pleasing) green bell pepper note on both the nose and palate. The fruit seems to be sweet wild strawberry, cranberry, and tart cherry. There are also hints of sage, and some white pepper and almond on the palate. The alcohol seems a bit hot at this point, but the wine was so recently made, and should mellow out within a few months to a year. There is just a slight pinch of residual sugar, but it is held in check by the 14% alcohol, medium-high acidity, and light tannins. An excellent choice for chicken fajitas, or other grilled chicken and/vegetable dishes. Tasted May 2016.
2.5 Stars
Valle Andino Reserva Especial Syrah 2012, Colchagua Valley
Rapel Valley, Chile$12.75
Vibrant, glass-staining purple colour. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cured meat, smoke, tar, cocoa, vanilla, and nutmeg. Lots of ripe fruit on the palate, with some dark cherry notes emerging, balanced by smoke, vanilla, and baking spices. Good body, with medium acidity and tannins, and a velvety mouthfeel. Decent length, finishing with blackberry, cocoa, and smoke.
2.0 Stars
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Gustave Lorentz Réserve Riesling 2013, Ac Alsace
Alsace, France$18.95
This dry Alsace Riesling has typical aromas of lemon/lime, green apple/pear, apricot, and a stony mineral character, with slight hints of honey developing. On the palate, this wine is somewhat disjointed: while the acidity is high, the fruit character lacks freshness (bruised/oxidized) and the alcohol is too noticeable (though only 12.5). Probably would have been at its best last year. Tasted Oct. 2016.
2.0 Stars
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Hester Creek Chardonnay 2013, Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$24.95
Aromas are of bruised apple, pineapple, honey, cream, vanilla, toasted almond, smoke, and clove. On the palate the fruit is dull and oxidized, and smoke, cream, and almond takes over. The acidity is medium low, and combined with the lack of fruit and some phenolic bitterness, the wine comes across as heavy and clumsy. Oak takes over the finish. Tasted June 2016.
2.0 Stars
Lunessence Rosé 2015, Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$18.00
This rosé is made from 70% cab franc and 30% pinot noir, and characteristics from both grapes come through nicely. Colour is medium-deep salmon with an orange hue. The aromas are of fresh raspberry and cherry, tart MacIntosh apple, orange peel, and white pepper, with slight touches of bell pepper/grass and earthiness. Repeats on the medium bodied palate, with the fruit coming across as both ripe and tart. There is a pinch of residual sugar, but the high acids balance it out, so it serves to fill out the mouthfeel and add viscosity. The finish is good length. Tasted Aug. 2016.
2.0 Stars
Langa Tradicion Centenaria Garnacha 2011, Do Calatayud
Aragón, Spain$12.75
Intense bouquet with lots of fruit aromas: blackberry, raspberry, plum, as well as dried/cooked fruit such as prune and strawberry jam. These are balanced by powerful smoke aromas, cedar, vanilla, and a bit of coffee and spice. Cherry and some black pepper seem to come out on the palate. Quite full bodied with lots of grippy tannins, but they are velvety and supple. Good length, finishing with blackberry, plum, chocolate, coffee, and a bit of spice. Great value.
1.5 Stars
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