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
Château Floréal Laguens, Ac Premières Côtes De Bordeaux
Bordeaux, France$16.95
A gorgeous, very approachable right-bank Bordeaux. Tons of ripe fruit aromas of plum, blackberry, and raspberry. Vanilla, cedar, and a touch of eucalyptus and cinnamon as well. On the palate it is plush, mouthfilling, and velvety, but kept balanced by bright acidity and a nice, well-integrated tannic structure. The aromas repeat, but with more baking spice notes. Long finish, with vanilla, plum, and mocha. Great value.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Antech Réserve Brut Blanquette De Limoux 2012, Ac
Languedoc, France$16.95
Aromas of red apple, peach, lime, and honey, along with some biscuity and smoky notes. Leans more toward tart, but ripe, fruit on the palate (grapefruit, lime, green apple), which is balanced by honey, almond, minerality, and creamy lees notes. Very lively and crisp on the palate. Good length finish, with green apple, lime, almond, and biscuity note.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Mcwatters Collection Meritage 2012, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$24.99
Quite a big, plush wine, but substantial, dusty tannins suggest it can age a few more years. Aromas of cassis, blackberry jam, prune, mint/eucalyptus, cocoa, roasted red pepper, tobacco, clove, and smoke. Some dark cherry on the palate, with the cocoa and bell pepper more prominent. Medium high acidity. Very good length. Cocoa and tobacco tinged finish.
3.0 Stars
River Stone Estate Winery Merlot River Rock Vineyard 2012, Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$19.90
Sweet aromas of blackberry jam, ripe strawberries, vanilla, and cinnamon mix with a more savoury character of green bell pepper and sage. The fruit is more fresh cherry and raspberry on the palate. Medium body, excellent balance. Medium, supple tannins and medium-high acidity. Good length.
3.0 Stars
Falernia Carmenère Reserva 2012, Chile
Chile$19.95
Some bricking at edge. Lots of stewed, jammy fruit: raspberry jam, prune, cassis, and stewed dark cherry. Roasted bell pepper, menthol, coffee, cocoa, brown sugar, cigar box, cedar, and smoke. Repeats on the palate, with slightly fresher fruit, and most of those sweet flavours coming from the warming 15% alcohol. Soft but present tannins and smooth, warm texture. Good length, with dark cherry, prune, mocha, tobacco, and spice lingering. Acidity could be slightly higher for better balance, but overall the balance is decent given the high alcohol. A wine for hearty stews and the like.
3.0 Stars
(0)A
Château Bellevue La Forêt 2011, Ac Fronton
Southwest, France$14.95
Ripe dark fruit aromas of blackberry, blueberry, and cherry are balanced by the freshness of mint/eucalyptus, cedar, and a touch of menthol. There is also some black pepper, baking spices, sweet black olive, and forest floor. On the palate the ripe fruit repeats (but the cherry is prominent), along with coffee, black pepper, cedar, green bell pepper, and an intriguing cured meat note. Great presence and structure, with medium-high acidity and tannins. Decent length, finishing with blackberry, dark cherry, black pepper, and mocha. Great value for money.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Michel Torino Don David Malbec Reserva 2012
Salta, Argentina$14.95
A well priced medium-bodied malbec. A bit simple, but nice balance between red and black fruit (cassis, plum, raspberry, and blackberry) and (slightly) heavy oak influence which gives lots of vanilla and some cocoa and cedar. Once it got a bit of air it offered some tobacco, green bell pepper, black pepper, a mild gaminess, and even a bit of violet. Good repeat on the palate, giving mostly red/black fruit, vanilla/cocoa (oak), and a bit of smoke and spice. Smooth, but leaving some chalkiness in the mouth. Finish was slightly short.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2014, Columbia Valley
Washington, Usa$16.95
This off-dry riesling has excellent balance, and lots of ripe fruit, with a nice floral and mineral component. The aromas are of candied lime, tart red apple, peach/apricot, honey, elderflower, lilac, and crushed stone. Flavours show more of the same, with a touch of spice (nutmeg, white pepper). The acidity is high, and the body medium. The residual sugar adds some viscosity and texture to the palate, but the high acidity keeps the wine vibrant. The length is good, with lingering acids. Pair with spicy asian cuisine. Tasted Dec. 2016.
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Quinta Do Alqueve Tradicional White 2013, Doc Do Tejo
Portugal$14.95
The nose shows a nice mix of green apple, lemon/lime, peach, and pineapple, along with strong minerality, hay/straw, some floral/honey notes, almond, and a suggestion of spice. Nice replay on the palate, with the spice coming out more clearly as ginger and clove. Medium bodied. Substantial but still crisp. Medium length, finishing with green apple, lime, honey, and spice.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Balthasar Ress Hattenheimer Schützenhaus Riesling Kabinett 2013, Prädikatswein
Rheingau, Germany$19.25
Good German Riesling. I really like the tension between the acidity and sweetness. Showed substantial petrol/kerosene character right after pouring, which (mostly) blew off after a few minutes. Lime, peach/apricot, underripe pineapple, honeysuckle, and some really nice slatey minerality on the nose. Candied lime, peach, apricot, tangerine, honey, white flowers, red apple, and more slate on the palate. Mouth-watering acids keep the wine from seeming any sweeter than off-dry. Was hoping for a little more complexity and a longer finish, but this wine certainly delivers for the price point.
3.0 Stars
(0)V