Trevor Sabourin

8th Generation Riesling 2015, BC VQA Okanagan Valley

This Riesling has excellent balance, intensity, and concentration. The nose shows green apple, lime, nectarine, honeysuckle, and substantial minerality. The palate starts with ripe nectarine and honey, which are quickly washed away by tart green apple, lemon, lime pith, ginger, sage, and wet stone. The wine is off-dry with vibrant, high acids, and the length is very good. I think this wine will offer much more in the next few years, as it seems a bit unyielding at present. Tasted Sept. 2016.

Amalaya Malbec 2014, Mendoza

This wine is 85% malbec, with the rest comprised of syrah and cabernet sauvignon. It is sourced from extremely high-altitude vineyards, which plays a role in the wine's intensity and balance. This is definitely a restrained, more elegant, almost understated take on Malbec. The aromas are of ripe raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry, with mint, tobacco, violet, clove, peppercorn, roasted red pepper, ink, and nuanced, earthy, smoky tones reminiscent of dark roast coffee. The medium-full palate is bright and fruit-forward, with the spice and mint components stronger, and less of the tobacco/smoke/coffee, which comes back just a bit on the finish. Silky, seamless, and integrated, with very good length.

Laughing Stock Portfolio 2014, BC VQA Okanagan Valley

This is a huge, intense Bordeaux blend from B.C.s Naramata Bench. Merlot leads the blend (49%), joined by 28% cabernet sauvignon, 20% cabernet franc, 2% Malbec, and 1% petit verdot. The nose is quite powerful, with the aromas dominated by black raspberry and cherry, plum, mint, raspberry leaf, graphite, cocoa, licorice, and violet, with hints of cedar, vanilla, cinnamon, red bell pepper, and sweet black olive. The palate is dense and full-bodied, with a balance of fruit and oak currently dominating. Savoury hints in the background bring complexity, and should emerge more as the wine ages. The tannins and alcohol (14.9%) are both high, but already surprisingly well integrated. The finish is long, with red and black fruit, dark chocolate, and baking spices persisting. Tasted May 2017.

Château Maris Las Combes Minervois Cru La Livinière 2009, Ac

Lots of cooked/dried fruit on the nose (blackberry jam, prune, and fig) along with some smoke, baking spice, and a bit of cured meat. Tons of presence on the palate, yet smooth and supple, and gaining complexity with some molasses, coffee, and menthol coming out. Medium tannins and acidity, and surprisingly well balanced given the 16% alcohol. Medium long finish with blackberry, plum, and coffee.

Jackson Triggs Delaine Fume Blanc 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Nicely balanced oak character, doesn't completely hide the fruit. Fairly complex bouquet of ripe pink grapefruit, lemon zest, yellow apple, pineapple, melon, buttered toast, vanilla, clove, roasted almond, and green grass. Similar on the palate, but with the yellow apple and tropical fruit more to the fore. Round, creamy, and medium-full bodied. Excellent acidity. My only complaint is that there is a touch of astringency (from the wood?). Try with herb-roasted chicken.

Cave De Rasteau La Domelière Rasteau 2012, Ac

Good value. Red plum, dark cherry, raspberry jam, tobacco, leather, touch of violet, and ample spice character (clove, anise, and black pepper) on the nose. Good tension on the palate, with tart red fruit and spice dominating. Good body and medium tannins. Medium-high acids. Finishes with cherry, raspberry, clove, and cocoa.

Bartier Bros. Merlot Cerqueira Vineyard 2012

Dominated by fresh dark fruit (plums, dark cherry, cassis), with some lovely violet, sage, mint, and baking spices. Just a touch of bell pepper and black peppercorn add to these on the palate, but the fruit remains to the fore. Medium full bodied, with vibrant acidity and pleasantly grippy tannins to match. Good length. Excellent balance and restraint.

Cono Sur Bicicleta Viognier 2014

Capezzana Barco Reale Di Carmignano 2012, Doc

Great sangiovese/cabernet sauvignon blend (with cab. franc and canaiolo). Bright red fruit, cassis, tobacco, violet, green bell pepper, mint, cocoa, and forest floor aromas. The fruit is very ripe, but not jammy, on the palate. The other aromas repeat, along with just a touch of sangiovese nuttiness. Medium high acidity and tannins, but beautifully integrated and drinkable. Good length, finishing with red fruit, cocoa, almond, and floral notes.

Stoneboat Pinot Noir 2012, VQA Okanagan Valley

Lots of sweet red cherry, raspberry jam, red plum, and violet contrast with toasted coconut, vanilla, smoke, leather, and baking spices on the nose. The red fruits come across as fresh and bright, not sweet, on the palate, and manage to balance out the oak influence. Some wet stone minerality comes through as well. Medium body and tannins, with medium high acidity. Quite ripe and appealing overall, though perhaps the oak is a bit too obvious, especially on the nose.