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
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
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
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
(0)G
Road 13 Vineyards Marsanne 2016, BC VQA Similkameen Valley
British Columbia, Canada$24.00
This is a lovely example of the marsanne grape from BC's Similkameen Valley. It shows aromas of peach, nectarine, apricot, lime zest, yellow apple, marzipan, floral notes of honeysuckle and almond blossom, beeswax, minerals, and touches of vanilla, nutmeg, anise, and biscuit. The palate is similar: lots of ripe stone fruit, lemon/lime, and mineral, then marzipan, vanilla, spices, and biscuit/lees notes following through to a long finish. The wine has fresh, balancing acidity, a medium body, and a silky, seamless mouthfeel. Characterful, fresh, and beautifully balanced. Tasted Aug. 2017.
3.5 Stars
Louis Bouillot Perle D'aurore Brut Rosé Crémant De Bourgogne, Traditional Method, Ac, Burgundy, France
Burgundy, France$27.95
Nice copper hue, fine streams of bubbles. Aromas of peach, raspberry, cranberry, lots of stony minerality, and some toasty/biscuity aromas as well. Cherry, cranberry, and MacIntosh apple come out on the palate, along with a hint of smokiness and toasted almonds. Very lively, crisp, and refreshing. Good length, finishing with cranberry, raspberry, almond, and minerality.
3.0 Stars
(1000+)E
Le Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Pinot Noir 2009, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$30.00
Medium ruby, bricking slightly. Fine bouquet of raspberry, cranberry, cherry, leather, cinnamon, earth, vanilla, and violets. Lots of fruit on the palate too, with the cherry seeming more prominent, and a bit of black pepper spice keeping things interesting. The mouthfeel is velvety, with just a bit of grip. Medium-long finish with cherry, raspberry, and some nice mineral and violet notes lingering. Probably in its prime right now.
Tasted Feb. 2015.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Lakeview Cellars Vidal Icewine 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula (200ml)
Ontario, Canada$21.95
Having not tasted this at an earlier date, I can only guess, but this icewine seems to have moved into a more mature stage, judging by the ample dried/cooked fruit and spicy notes and the lower perceived sugar content. On the nose, there is dried apricot, stewed peach, honey, baked red apple, ginger, nutmeg, and menthol. On the palate, there are additional notes of candied orange peel and dried pineapple, and the ginger is spicier and more intense. Medium-long finish with apricot, honey, and warm, spicy ginger.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Monasterio De Las Vinas Gran Reserva 2005, Aragon
Spain$16.95
Beautiful well-aged and supple wine. Complex bouquet of plum, blackberry, raspberry, prune, cedar, eucalyptus, tobacco, anise, smoke, leather, and a hint of cloves. The palate is more red fruit (raspberry and cherry), with the plum, prune, cedar, and tobacco repeating, and subtle cinnamon and vanilla notes emerging. Full-bodied and medium-high acidity. While there is a lot of tannic structure, the mouthfeel is supple and velvety. Long finish. Fantastic bargain.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Stoneboat Pinot House Piano Brut, Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$23.00
Not complex, but very clean, refreshing, and balanced. Sweet red apple, candied lemon zest, peach, honey, lime, white flowers, and a slight hint of almond on the nose. Tart lemon/lime and MacIntosh apple balance with sweet peach and honey on the palate. Some wet stone on the moderate finish.
3.0 Stars
Henry Fessy Moulin â Vent 2010, Ac
Beaujolais, France$9.45
Slightly bricking. Raspberry, strawberry licorice, prune, smoke, earth, black pepper, violet, and just a touch of green bean. Nice repeat, but with cherry becoming prominent. Good body and smooth mouthfeel. Nice balance. Good length finish with raspberry, cherry, earth, and some tea.
3.0 Stars
(0)G