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
Rivera Il Falcone Riserva Castel Del Monte 2009, Doc
Puglia, Italy$24.95
Quite earthy and dusty, though somewhat understated on the nose. Dried cherry and cranberry, dark plum, fig, sage, green olive, leather, dried leaves, and a touch of violet and vanilla. There is also a bit of gamey, brett character. Repeats on the palate with some sundried tomato, bitter cocoa, and clove spice. Medium-full bodied, high acidity, and firm, dusty tannins. Good length finish, with dried cherry and earth.
3.5 Stars
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Inniskillin Montague Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$30.95
Surprisingly ripe for an Ontario Pinot. Showing a garnet hue. Ripe fruit aromas of dark cherry liqueur, ripe raspberries and strawberries, and even a touch of fig/prune are kept interesting by tobacco, sweet smoke, anise, leather, menthol, earth, and baking spices. Flavours of strawberry licorice, tart cherry and raspberry, anise, black tea, tobacco, leather, smoke, baking spices, and minerality. Silky on the palate. Great acidity and medium tannins give a lovely balance to the ripe fruit. Good length, finishing with cherry, anise, cocoa, smoke, and minerality.
3.5 Stars
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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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River Stone Estate Winery Splash 2014, Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$19.00
Great balance of body, acidity, and just a touch of sweetness. Lots of ripe pineapple, peach, mango, tangerine, along with orange blossom and honey aromas. Slightly viscous, but still refreshing.
3.5 Stars
La Cala Vermentino Di Sardegna 2014, Doc
Sardinia, Italy$16.95
Very fresh and aromatic, yet substantial. Tart green apple and lemon aromatics are balanced by white peach and ripe pear. Some fresh herb/grass, a lovely honeysuckle note, and saline minerality as well. Good repeat on the palate with some warming clove spice and a bit of nuttiness. Fairly weighty but still crisp. Medium finish with green apple, lemon, and more salinity. My only complaint is that it finishes a bit hot.
3.5 Stars
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Le Vieux Pin Ava 2013, VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$34.90
Lots of character here. Aromas of pineapple, melon, apricot, lemon, sage, ginger, beeswax, honeysuckle, and a bit of lees. Medium-full body, rich, round mouthfeel, but still has medium-high acidity. More tropical fruit on the palate, with some red apple, white pepper spice, and almond. Excellent length, spicy, tropical fruit finish.
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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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 Maris Las Combes Minervois Cru La Livinière 2009, Ac
Languedoc, France$25.95
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.
3.5 Stars
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Capezzana Barco Reale Di Carmignano 2012, Doc
Tuscany, Italy$17.95
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.
3.5 Stars
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