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
Le Vieux Pin Syrah Cuvée Violette 2013, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$29.90
Fragrant, sweet aromas of raspberry jam, blackberry, violet, sage, vanilla, white pepper, baking spices, and some forest floor. Wonderfully restrained and elegant on the palate, with the fruit repeating as fresh and not jammy. Medium body, medium, silky tannins, and medium high acidity. Long finish
3.5 Stars
Paxton Aaa Shiraz/Grenache 2012, Mclaren Vale, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$19.95
The fruit seems to be mostly Grenache on the nose: raspberry jam, red plum, just a bit of shiraz dark cherry and blackberry. There are some beautiful, fresh aromas of violet and eucalyptus, along with cocoa, cedar, vanilla, anise, wood smoke, black olive, and a bit of black pepper. The shiraz asserts itself on the palate as blackberry, dark cherry, blueberry, black pepper, and leather, along with some menthol. Velvety grenache texture, medium tannins, slightly higher acidity. Long finish, with blueberry, dark cherry, and cocoa.
3.5 Stars
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Le Vieux Pin Syrah Cuvée Classique 2013, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$50.00
The fruit is not quite as ripe and upfront as the 2012. Fresh blackberry and a touch of prune, along with black pepper, cedar, sage, and some cured meat. Medium-full body. Tannins and acidity are already nicely integrated.
3.5 Stars
Stoneboat Vineyards Verglas 2013, VQA Okanagan Valley (375ml)
British Columbia, Canada$54.90
Absolutely stunning. Intense bouquet of apricot jam, orange marmalade, ripe pineapple, honey, white pepper, butterscotch, cinnamon, almond, and candied ginger. Unctuous and silky on the palate, with all of the sweet aromas repeating, but perfectly balanced by very high acidity, coming through as tart red apple and lemon. Prolonged finish of honey, spices, and apricot.
3.5 Stars
Wolfberger Signature Muscat 2013, Ac Alsace
Alsace, France$16.95
Lovely, perfumed, exotic aromas of orange blossom, honeysuckle, white peach, apricot, tangerine, pineapple, gala apple, and a suggestion of wet stone. Hits the palate with zesty lime and tangerine, with more tropical and stone fruit. Not nearly as sweet as the nose suggested, quite high acidity gives the impression that it is somewhere between dry and off-dry. Crisp and juicy, with lime, stone fruit, and wet stone lingering on the finish. Excellent length.
3.5 Stars
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Bartier Bros. Chardonnay Cerqueira Vineyard 2014, Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$27.00
Excellent balance, complexity, elegance, and roundness. Red apple, lemon zest, grilled pineapple, smoke, almond, anise, and leesy/biscuit notes on the nose. Mouthfilling and smooth on the palate, yet with vibrant, citrusy acidity. Medium long finish, with smoke, lemon/lime, and biscuit lingering.
3.5 Stars
St. Urbans Hof Old Vines Riesling 2014, Qualitätswein
Mosel, Germany$21.95
This old vine Mosel Riesling is quite intense, and perfectly balanced. The nose offers aromas of candied lime, apricot, green apple, honey, white flowers, a hint of green tea, and tons of wet stone. These carry through to the palate where additional hints of lemon, mango, and nutmeg come out. The wine has intense, vibrant acidity, which makes it seem just off-dry, though there is substantial residual sugar. The finish is long, and tinged with herb, spice, and mineral. Delicious, complex Riesling. Tasted Apr. 2017.
3.5 Stars
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Fabre Montmayou Reserva Malbec 2013, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$18.95
This is a lovely, pure Malbec. It has ripe (but not excessively ripe) blueberry and plum fruit, with fragrant notes of dried violets and potpourri, menthol, vanilla, cedar, some savoury black olive and liquorice, and spicy hints of black pepper and clove. The palate is full, warming, and smooth, with present but supple tannins. The finish is long, spicy, savoury, with a hint of cocoa emerging. Tasted Apr. 2017.
3.5 Stars
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Tantalus Riesling 2015, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$23.00
The nose is dominated by ripe, pithy lime and wet rock, with delicate traces of white peach, yellow apple/pear, white flowers, and vague spice. Hits the palate with jaw-tingling lemon/lime, then moves through lightly honeyed peach and apple, onto lingering wet rock, citrus pith, and ginger/nutmeg. The wine is off-dry, though the acidity cuts through the residual sugar to balance things beautifully. The aromas in particular seemed a bit shy, but I imagine it will open up nicely in a year or two.
3.5 Stars
Culmina Unicus 2015, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$31.05
This is a somewhat bigger, fuller take on Austria's signature grape, but still has plenty of finesse. The nose shows lime zest, nectarine, yellow apple, nutmeg, white pepper, herbaceous notes of tarragon and bay leaf, lots of chalky mineral character, and touches of almond and honey. On the palate there is more lemon/lime citrus, lots of white pepper, a touch of menthol, and more honey/toasty/almond notes. The alcohol is a touch warm, but this will integrate nicely with the medium-high acids and smooth, round texture. Finishes Long. Tasted Nov. 2016.
3.5 Stars