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
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
Trapiche Finca Las Palmas Chardonnay 2012, Uco Valley, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$19.99
This is a nicely balanced chardonnay: there is plenty of fruit to stand up to the oak, and it has held out and maintained freshness at five years old. There was a strong, slightly off-putting canned corn aroma upon pouring, but it mostly dissipated with time in the glass. The fruit character is of apple, pear, melon, pineapple, and some lemon and grapefruit. This is filled out nicely with butterscotch, clove, nutmeg, biscuit, hay, and menthol. The mouthfeel is round and creamy, and the acidity is vibrant. The finish is quite long. It is probably drinking at, if not a bit past, its peak right now. Tasted Mar. 2017.
3.5 Stars
Gaba Do Xil Mencía 2014, Do Valdeorras
Spain$19.99
This wine is full of character, complexity, and freshness. It offers notes of black cherry, wild blueberry and raspberry, stoney minerals, anise, smoke, white pepper and baking spices, and elegant touches of potpourri, leather, black tea, and vanilla. The wine has a beautifully integrated, seamless structure, and yet almost high acidity and tannins. The finish is quite long. An assertive yet graceful wine, and very satisfying. Tasted Aug. 2017
3.5 Stars
Santa Julia Reserva Malbec 2014, Mendoza
Argentina$13.95
Elegant nose of blackberry, dark plums, raspberry, cinnamon, mint, cigar box, vanilla, violet, and a touch of smoke. There is a sense of sweetness from the ripe fruit character, but it remains fresh and balanced on the palate, with just a bit more oak influence showing (cocoa, smoke). Round and mouth filling, with medium-high acidity, and medium tannins. Medium finish. An excellent value wine to pair with barbecued ribs or burgers.
3.5 Stars
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Château Du Trignon Sablet 2012, Côtes Du Rhône Villages
Rhône, France$22.05
This spicy, savoury, well-balanced Cotes-du-Rhone is from the specific "village" of Sablet. According to winery's website it is strictly composed of Grenache and mourvedre. The nose shows a nice mix or ripe raspberry, dark cherry, and plum fruit, spicy black pepper and sage, tobacco, leather, black olive, and hints of cocoa and violet. The palate starts with more plum and dark cherry, but soon gets taken over by the spicy/savoury qualities, which continue through the finish with some liquorice and cocoa. The wine is medium-full bodied, with moderate acidity and smooth, integrated tannins. There is light volatility but is does not detract too much. Overall a very good value with lots of character. Tasted October 2017.
3.5 Stars
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Quails' Gate Old Vines Foch 2014, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$24.99
This is a full-bodied, funky, tart yet plush wine made from the hybrid grape marechal foch. It has aromas of ripe plum and wild dark berries, mocha, menthol, vanilla, tobacco, clove, smoked meat, and tar. The palate offers much of the same, though the fruit has a sour edge, and there is more savoury spices and a hint of black olive. The tannins are soft and the acidity is almost high. There is an excellent balance of fruit and oak. It finishes long with dark, smoke tinged fruit. Tasted Apr. 2017.
3.5 Stars
Fairview Cellars The Bear 2012, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$39.90
Fantastic, well-structured Bordeaux blend. Complex, with blackberry, cassis, prune, mint/eucalyptus, dark chocolate, green bell pepper, and forest floor. Just shy of full-bodied, with medium high acidity, and medium-high, chalky tannins. Long, dark chocolate, black berry, and cassis finish. Decant for an hour or two, or age for a few to ten years, maybe longer.
3.5 Stars
Château De Gourgazaud Cuvée Mathilde Minervois 2013, Ac
Languedoc, France$14.95
A good value, savoury, bright red wine from southern France. Mostly tart red fruit, with a touch of blackberry. lots of savoury aromas: anise, sage, cedar leaves, leather, baking spices, tobacco, and hints of green bell pepper, forest floor, and cocoa. Nice repeat on the palate with a strong mineral note emerging, but also, unfortunately, some unripe strawberry character which detracts a bit from the overall flavour. Very food-friendly, with medium to high tannins and acidity. Medium length, with raspberry, bitter cocoa, black pepper, and licorice persisting.
3.5 Stars
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Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2015, South Australia
Australia$19.95
This is an excellent value shiraz-cabernet blend. The nose shows mostly the shiraz side, with ripe blueberry, blackberry, dark cherry, black pepper, coffee, vanilla, eucalyptus, and smoke aromas. The cabernet sauvignon is more evident on the palate, with the fruit showing some cassis and a bit more dark cherry, along with roasted red pepper, and repeats of the eucalyptus, coffee, smoke, and a spicy kick of black pepper again from the shiraz. The body is just a bit over medium, the acidity is fresh and balancing, and the moderate tannins are quite soft. Overall, this wine is well-balanced and fruit-forward (but nowhere near jammy), with just a nice touch of oak. Tasted Nov. 2016
3.5 Stars
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