Go West! Tasting

The QEII Centre, Westminster, London
Tasted Thursday, March 10, 2016 by kostaslonis with 676 views

Introduction

A tasting of California, Oregon and Washington State wines. Fantastic line up of wines, gone with Michael Houlis, Lazaros lost the plane

Flight 1 - Oregon and Washington State Free Pour (33 Notes)

A selection of 170 wines from Oregon and Washington State, on the top floor, away from the fuss of the wine fair. Great experience

Flight 2 - Main Hall (35 Notes)

The wines from the main hall of the wine fair

  • 2012 Joseph Phelps Insignia 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Big black fruit, ripe smoke, filled with green bell pepper, very fruit and nice, almost refreshing. The palate is equally beautiful, nice juicy ripe black fruit, smoke, firm tannins, dense palate, still tight pleasant even now, hard not to like this one, long finish. 93+

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  • 2013 Saintsbury Pinot Noir 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

    Nice red fruit, berry, a bit of reduction, palate nice and fresh, smooth tannins, velvet body and structure, better in the palate, med finish

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  • 2013 Saintsbury Pinot Noir Sundawg Ridge Vineyard 89 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Green Valley of Russian River Valley

    More structured nose, riper fruit, a touch of sweet spice and oak, palate smooth as well, light fruit, a touch of alcohol, more oak in the long finish. 89++

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  • 2013 Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 88 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    There is a heavy off-flavor here, stalky, ripe red fruit and light nutmeg touch. The palate follows the same profile, smooth, light oak and fruit, nutty, med body and finish, refreshing acidity.

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  • 2013 Michael-David Vineyards Zinfandel 7 Deadly Zins 88 Points

    USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi

    Quite peculiar profile, smoke, fruit and stalky in the same time, quite ripe, black fruit, welcoming. The palate is nice, follow the smoothness of the nose, ripe juicy fruit, nice tannins, med+ body, nice structure, smoked and juicy fruit in the med finish.

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  • 2012 Cambria Syrah Tepusquet Vineyard 87 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

    Big dense, oaky, ripe black fruit, sweet spice, welcoming. The palate is the same, more upfront, a bit of alcohol burn (14.50%), spicy, smoke, more tannic and aggressive than it smells, still very young

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  • 2011 Hartford / Hartford Court Zinfandel Old Vine Russian River Valley 89 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    Beautiful ripe juicy nose, smoke, spices, black cherry and berry, nice and smooth palate, tea infused flavors, nutmeg, dry, less welcoming than the nose, a bit harsh med finish

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  • 2010 Mt. Brave Merlot 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

    Big fruit, smokey as well, a nice blend of fruit and oak, refreshing stalky nuances, nice balance in the palate, ripe fruit, well structured, ripe fruit, smoke, toast, oak, sweet spice, peppery too, tasty with nice length

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  • 2013 Stonehedge Chardonnay Reserve 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Lime-y acidity, citrus, straightforward, nicer in the palate, more dense and round, touch of oak, ripe lime and melon, peach, nice body, med finish, very good quality

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  • 2013 McNab Ridge Petite Sirah 90 Points

    USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County

    Big smokey and ripe fruit nose, well founded, nice in the palate as well, fresh fruit, oak and a touch of alcohol, big flavors here, black fruit, nice acidity and fine tannins, long finish. Outstanding

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  • 2012 Benovia Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    Nice dense nose, ripe fruit, smoke, sweet spices, welcoming, while the palate feels the same too. Ripe fruit, easygoing, nice red fruit, smoke, spice, balanced, brilliant to have by the glass. Outstanding

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  • 2012 Donelan Syrah Cuvée Christine 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    Very nice ripe fruit, light smoke notes, juicy, balanced, fine texture, sweet black fruit in the palate too, very ripe and tasty, med finish. Outstanding

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  • 2011 Morlet Family Vineyards Billet Doux 94 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

    Alexander Valley, Late harvest wine made of 65% Semillon, 31% Sauvignon Blanc and 4% Muscat.
    Nice light perfume, very light fruit notes, ripe stone, ripe citrus and pineapple. Great balance and texture, 95g/lt of residual sugar, med+ body, ripe stone fruit, lime, peach, apricot, ripe orange, syrup, honey, fine refreshing acidity, long finish. A truly outstanding sweet wine

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  • 2014 Hanzell Pinot Noir Sebella 88 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    A bit restrained, stalky ripe red fruit, spicy as it gets more time in the glass, the palate is nice, juicy ripe red fruit, med acidity, body and finish. Very good quality, still very young

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  • 2013 Ghostwriter Pinot Noir Woodruff Family Vineyard 88 Points

    USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

    The nose is dense, spicy, oaky and earthy, love it!! Ripe red fruit, cinnamon flavored red apple, spicy palate too, nice texture, fine acidity. The palate feels a step back or two than the intensity of the nose, still a fine, highly drinkable wine.

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  • 2011 Bien Nacido Vineyards Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley 89 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

    Nice juicy, spicy, sweet fruit nose, ethereal, nice oak frame. The palate is fresh, light, lacks real strength but its lovely and easy going, a bit elevated acidity, med finish. Great to have on its own 89

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  • 2013 Chanin Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard 88 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

    Crisp and ripe fruit, clean nose, nice red berry, balanced palate, nice acidity, sweet spice, med body and finish, nice easygoing.

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  • 2013 Foxglove Zinfandel 84 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

    Fruity nose with a few off flavors there, boiled greens, stalky, thin oak layer. Spicy palate, a bit high acidity, some alcohol heat, med body and tannins but aggressive

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  • 2012 Gramercy Cellars Syrah Walla Walla Valley 89 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    Big fruity palate, sweet, smoke, oaky, big bold flavors there. The same goes for the palate as well, full ripe black fruits, spicy, smooth, oak, a bit of alcohol bite, some gamey notes, lacks serious complexity and strength, but a nice tasty wine overall.

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  • 2013 Ridge Monte Bello 93 Points

    USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

    Massive complex nose, ripe fruit squeezed between spice and oak, fine and ethereal despite its strength. The palate is also big, elegant and a bit restrained as it is now, smoke, spiced complexity, bright black fruit, fine tannins, chocolate and coffee infused long finish. Still a very very young wine, outstanding quality. Would be great to see how this one will age 93+

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  • 2013 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 92 Points

    USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

    Nice sweet ripe smoky, sweet spice notes, some fresh stalkiness too, the palate is the same, smoke, oak, ripe black fruit and long finish. You can’t go wrong with this one, unmistakable Californian Cab

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  • 2012 Bonny Doon Vineyard Syrah Le Pousseur 88 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast

    This is a Syrah made of 4 different plots.
    Big Brett nose, barnyard, forest floor, smoke, underlying red fruit, iodine notes. In the palate shows red fruit, light oak touch, a bit of spice, delicate but complex, tannins kicking when not expected

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  • 2010 Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Volant 90 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast

    Great complexity in the nose, sweet spice, bright red fruit, smoke, oak, needs time to clear up though. In the palate the wine has nice structure, ripe red berries, fine tannins, med+ body and long finish. Outstanding

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  • 2014 Charles Smith Riesling Kung Fu Girl 90 Points

    USA, Washington

    Nice bright nose, citrus, ripe stone fruit, flowery notes as well, nice palate, 1.5g/lt of sugar but the ripeness of the fruit makes it feels like it’s far more, ripe lime, green apple, nice texture and med to long finish. Would be great to have on its own

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  • 2012 K Vintners Syrah The Hidden Northridge Vineyard 93 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope

    Subtle but massive in the same time, full ripe fruity nose, loads of black fruits, floral, with it gets bigger and bigger. Full sweet black fruit nose, nice tannins, fine texture, fruit in alcohol
    (15%), mocca, chocolate, needs time to breathe, massive depth, long finish. Outstanding

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  • 2010 Qupé Syrah Sonnie's Sawyer Lindquist Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

    Nice bright fruit, touch of smoke, sweet spices, ripe red and black fruit, sweet tobacco notes. The palate follows the same profile as the nose, rich black fruit, layer after layer of fruit flavors, balanced, fine tannins and structure, a bit of alcohol heat, med to long finish

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  • 2012 Powers Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Coyote Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope

    (65% new oak) Nice surprise on the nose with bright red fruit and eucalyptus. Beautiful texture, ripe red and then black fruit, refreshing acidity, balanced nicely, med to long finish. Outstanding

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  • 2013 K Vintners Syrah The Beautiful 91 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    4% Viognier in the blend.
    Full ripe fresh red fruit, floral, a touch of mint, while in the palate the same big flavors, ripe fruit, smooth, fine tannins, nice acidity, ripe, nice oak texture, a bit of alcohol burn (14.50%). Nice layered, tasty Syrah, great quality, highly drinkable

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  • 2011 Ravenswood Zinfandel Old Vine Sonoma County 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    Beautiful ripe blue and black fruit, licorice, alcohol, nice integrated oak, balanced in the palate too, same sort of fruit, fine tannins, nice structure, med to long finish. Tasty and outstanding quality

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  • 2013 SIXTO Chardonnay Frenchman Hills Vineyard 89 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    Nice subtle oaky notes, ripe fruit, buttery, lime-y acidity, nice and refreshing. Nice palate, smooth, subtle, nutty, nice acidity, a touch of smoke at the med finish. Forward and great on its own

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  • 2012 Powers Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Kiona Vineyards 89 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain

    (85% new oak) A lot of reduction in the nose but in the palate is cleaner, nice texture and tannins, black fruit in the long finish

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  • 2013 Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyards 89 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Nice ripe fruit, a few spices, sweet hints, some stalk notes, palate nice and smooth, bright fruit, refreshing acidity, med body and intensity, nice med finish

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  • 2013 Powers Syrah Columbia Valley 89 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (Columbia Valley with 3% Viognier) Nice ripe juicy black fruit, floral, peach notes, fruit in alcohol (14.5%), nice palate as well, juicy texture, big tannins, black berry and currant. Nice mouthfeel, lacks complexity but makes a fine wine to drink, nice finish, would be great for food.

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  • 2014 Ravenswood Zinfandel Old Vine Lodi 89 Points

    USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi

    A bit of alcohol at first, nice black fruit, prunes, black cherry and currant. In the palate follows the same path, fruity, nice juicy tannins, well structured, plum, alcohol bite (14.5%), med finish.

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  • 2012 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown Napa Valley 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Big juicy fruit, toast, smoke, big spicy notes too. This follows in the palate, big tannins, full oaky, dense, ripe black fruit, a bit harsh (too fresh?), smoked long finish. Outstanding

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Flight 3 - Self-Pour Table, California Cabernet Sauvignon Master Tasting (7 Notes)

A self pour table with Californian Cab Sauvignon selected by 2 MWs

  • 2012 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

    Big ripe full nose, black fruits, some gamey notes too, a few port like flavors as well, prunes, big in the palate too, alcohol kick (14.50%), fruit bomb, nice texture, balanced, smoke, nice oak frame, med+ finish. Outstanding

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  • 2012 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown Napa Valley 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Fuller and riper nose than the Knights Valley, black fruit and licorice, smoke, oak, higher extraction, nice texture, med+ body, great rich ripe flavor, alcohol bite, the tannins are smooth though, ends with med finish. Outstanding

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  • 2013 Hahn Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast 89 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast

    Big nose, high intensity, full throttle, Californian nose, black fruit, nice spicy oak, prunes, blackcurrant, palate big as well, ripe fruit, smoke, spicy as hell. Full oaky palate, massive mouthfeel

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  • 2010 Robert Sinskey Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon SLD Estate 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

    Full bold ripe black fruits, sweet spices, surprisingly balanced though with all that sweetness, a bit earthy/forest floor. The palate follows the same profile, ripe black fruit, berry, currant, licorice, smooth, easy going, velvety tannins, long finish. Outstanding

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  • 2012 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fay 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Great finesse in the nose, balanced, smoke, chocolate and coffee nuances, ripe fruit. Beautiful ethereal nose. The palate reveals perfect ripe black fruit, nice big but smooth tannins, great texture, still very young of course, long finish. Outstanding

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  • 2012 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23 95 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

    Big nose, more “serious” than Fay, more dense and ripe, oak is more profound, bold aromas and a massive promise. In the palate, the wine is smoother than expected, a bit of alcohol bite (14.50%), ripe massive fruit, great texture, fine tannins, still a baby, long finish. Outstanding

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  • 2012 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon S.L.V. 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

    Huge massive nose, smoke notes, spicy oak, all sorts of small black fruits, sweet fresh tobacco. The palate is a bit shy, ripe fruit, smoke, great texture and structure, very fresh still, the palate feels a couple of steps behing the nose, but hey, this is still a baby! Standing between Fay and Cask 23, showing med+ finish. Great wine of outstanding quality

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Closing

A great tasting experience, Oregon Pinot Noir's are fantastic, great chance to try very expensive Californian Cab's while giving a try at Washington one's. Should go back every year

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