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
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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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
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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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
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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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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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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Clos Des Fous Pour Ma Gueule Valle Del Itata 2014
Chile$19.65
This blend of pais, Malbec, syrah, cinsault, and carmenere is mostly from vineyards across Chile's more southerly wine regions of Itata and Maule. The nose is very fragrant, with aromas of raspberry, blueberry, black cherry, blue flowers (violet and lilac), peppercorns, licorice, a splash of dark chocolate and smoke, sweet tobacco, new leather, and some savoury black olive. On the palate the fruit is fresh, the cocoa and licorice are prominent, and some mint/eucalyptus come out. The wine is medium-full bodied with medium tannins, yet is delightfully fresh and light on its feet, thanks to vibrant acidity and deceptively well-integrated alcohol. Delicious. Tasted June 2017.
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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