3rd Annual Expedition Wines American Homegrown tasting

This was going to be a quick tasting for me as I was short on time. I normally like the pacific NW focus that Expedition has and look forward to these tastings

• 2006 Belle Pente Pinot Noir Belle Pente Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton

  nose: dark fruited nose with tones of dark red cherries, dark plums, spices and dark red fruits
  
  taste: balanced and plump medium feel with plush tones of dark red cherries, dark plums, spices and candied red fruits
  
  overall: as one would expect with an 06, there is some very tart and upfront fruit. It wasn't overdone and was balanced but more for the short/medium term

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• 2006 Belle Pente Pinot Noir Murto Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  nose: fairly intense nose of dark red fruits, spice tones, strawberries and red cherry tones
  
  taste: plush medium feel with forward tones of dark red fruits, spices, red cherries and some tart berry tones
  
  overall: there is some intensity on the fruit. Shows off the vintage but holds it as well. There is good balance to it along with the fruit

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• 2009 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir Rosé 87 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  nose: fresh and aromatic nose of citrus tones, lemon peels, strawberries and a touch of melons
  
  taste: crisp and lighter feel with medium+ acidity and tones of citrus', lemon peels, and strawberries
  
  overall: this was lacking a bit in the depth department, otherwise it would've been really good. Still a nice drink with good crispness

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• 2008 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Gris 86 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  nose: fresh and lighter nose of white fruits, minerals, lemon zest and some citrus tones
  
  taste: light feel with medium acidity and crisp tones of white fruits, lemon zest, and citrus tones
  
  overall: This was pretty straight forward and lacking some depth. Good aromatics with fresh tones on both the nose and palate

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• 2007 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 87 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  nose: fragrant and subtle nose of earth tones, herbs, and dark red fruits
  
  taste: medium bodied with medium+ acidity and understated tones of dark red fruits, dark berries, and some bits of earthen tones
  
  overall: this was a very good base pinot and ready to drink right now. Certainly not a fruit forward pinot, it shows a slight herbal streak but it is far from overpowering

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• 2008 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir Five Mountain 91 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  nose: on the tight side but showing very good depth and tones of dark red fruits, plums, dark red cherries, fresh herbs and some bits of floral tones
  
  taste: plush medium feel with medium acidity. Well balanced, and though not fully showing itself, there are very good tones of fresh picked berries, dark red fruits, plums, dark red cherries and some floral tones
  
  overall: this is definitely on the young side, but should turn into a real pretty pinot. Lots of stuffing and it is wound a bit tight, but the depth is very good already

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• 2008 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir Mount Richmond 92 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton

  nose: very perfumed and pretty nose of red fruits, floral tones, spices, red cherries and bits of herb tones
  
  taste: wound pretty tight on the palate with a classy medium feel and medium acidity. Well balanced with good depth and feminine tones of red fruits, floral tones, spices and red cherry tones
  
  overall: this is a real good and young pinot. This needs some time to fully emerge, but it can be a real lovely wine with some time

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• 2007 Laurel Glen Reds 85 Points

  USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi

  nose: straightforward nose of red licorice, red cherries, and red currants
  
  taste: medium feel with little noticeable acid and straightforward tones of red cherries, red currants, and some bits of blackfruits
  
  overall: a very solid wine, but doesn't have too much depth on either the nose or palate. Good tones though and is a good table wine

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• 2007 Laurel Glen !ZAZIN 88 Points

  USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi

  nose: bold and dark nose of dark red fruits, black fruits, black cherries and spice tones
  
  taste: full bodied with plush tannins and dark tones of black fruits, dark red cherries and dark spice tones
  
  overall: a very good zin. While on the bigger side, it wasn't overwhelming and held the fruit well

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• 2005 Laurel Glen Cabernet Sauvignon Counterpoint Sonoma Mountain 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain

  nose: very classy and balanced nose of cedar, tobacco, dark red fruits, cranberries, and black currants
  
  taste: medium/full bodied with medium acidity and good depth along with tones of cedar, tobacco, dark red fruits and bits of black currants
  
  overall: this was very nice and expressive right now. Nice depth on both the nose and palate with more classic tones as well

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• 2005 Laurel Glen Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Sonoma Mountain 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain

  nose: tight but balanced nose of cedar, dark red fruits, dark cherries, red and black currants, and a touch of floral tones
  
  taste: full bodied with very chewy tannins along with tones of cedar, dark red fruits, dark cherry tones, and red currants. Very good depth, but everything is holding back a lot at this time
  
  overall: this should turn into a real beauty with some time on it. Well balanced on both the nose and palate with a more classic take to the tones as well

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• 2004 Laurel Glen Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Sonoma Mountain 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain

  nose: more open and plush than the 05 with tones of red fruits, red currants, berries, cedar and some anise tones
  
  taste: full bodied with noticeable and chewy tannins with rich tones of red fruits, red currants, red cherries, cedar and anise tones
  
  overall: well balanced on both the nose and palate. The tannins still show themselves and the youth of the wine. This is a real lovely young laurel glen that does need a few years

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• 2006 McCrea Mourvèdre 89 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley

  nose: forward nose with tones of black fruits, black cherries, smoke and some meaty tones. Balanced with good pure fruit
  
  taste: plush medium/full body with chewy tannins and balanced tones of black fruits, black cherries, smoke, spice tones and some funky tones
  
  overall: this was just lacking some depth that would've made it great. Still, this is a very good mourvedre that has a plush side to it

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• 2007 McCrea Syrah 90 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley

  nose: expressive and plush nose of dark red cherries, black fruits, smoke tones, pepper notes, and bits of dark berry tones
  
  taste: smooth and polished full feel with good tannins and tones of dark red cherries, black fruits, pepper and some berry tones
  
  overall: this is a really good syrah. Well balanced with a good fruit core and plushness

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• 2005 McCrea Syrah 88 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley

  nose: good nose of dark red fruits, blackberries, dark red berries and dark red cherries. Fairly forward nose, but not as much depth
  
  taste: full bodied with good supporting tannins and plump tones of dark red fruits, blackberries, and dark red cherries. Very forward on the palate as well
  
  overall: this is lacking some style and depth that would really make it. It is on the forward side but isn't overdone

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• 2003 McCrea Syrah Boushey Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley

  nose: rich and big nose filled with smoke tones, pepper, black fruits, dark red fruits, and some black cherry tones
  
  taste: nice supporting tannins with a smooth full bodied feel and balanced tones of smoke, black fruits, dark red fruits, and bits of berry tones
  
  overall: This came off perfectly. Well balanced with a good plush side to it. This is in a perfect place right now and is very enjoyable

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• 2006 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  nose: balanced and open nose of cedar, mint tones, dark red fruits, red cherries, some red currants and a touch of vanilla as well
  
  taste: full bodied with thrashing tannins. The openness of the nose is sharply contrasted to the tannins on the palate. Behind the tannins are good tones of dark red fruits, mint, cedar and some vanilla tones
  
  overall: this could be a real stunner when the tannins pull back a bit. Well balanced, but the tannins are just too much at this time

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• 2003 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon Kronos Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  nose: dark and sinewy nose with tones of black cherries, liqueur tones, anise, herbs and black currants
  
  taste: full bodied with some hard edged tannins and rich tones of black cherries, anise, herbs and black currants
  
  overall: The tannins are on the hard side and it's hard to say if they'll ever truly resolve. While this showed the vintage, it went with it and made a really good cab

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• 2007 Cornerstone Cellars Cabernet Franc Stepping Stone 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  nose: aromatic and balanced nose of dark red cherries, herbs, red florals and berry tones
  
  taste: silky medium feel with good tannins and medium acidity. Well Balanced with polished tones of dark red cherries, herbs and berries
  
  overall: while not the most complex cab franc, it is very good. Has some good fruit to it along with the more herbal elements of the varietal

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• 2006 Cornerstone Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Cornerstone Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  nose: expressive and plush nose of dark red fruits, red currants, cherries, berries and a touch of spice tones
  
  taste: full bodied with coarse tannins that are showing off their youth. Balanced with good depth and plush tones of dark red fruits, cherries, berry tones and some bits of spices
  
  overall: While noticeably young, it is showing a lot to like already. The nose was very open and showing a lot of class. Good depth as well on both the nose and palate

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• 2009 Cornerstone Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Stepping Stone 84 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  nose: light and fragrant nose of tart citrus tones, melons and some pear tones as well
  
  taste: no real noticeable acid to this with light body and some tones of citrus', pears and mangoes
  
  overall: this wine is lacking on the palate. It's a pretty simple sauvignon blanc and not really all that interesting

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• 2009 Cornerstone Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  nose: aromatic and fresh nose of white fruits, mineral tones, lemon peels and bits of melons
  
  taste: pretty lighter feel with medium/high acidity and fresh tones of whtie fruits, citrus tones, minerals, and some bits of lemon peels
  
  overall: there wasn't much depth to the tones, but this was an enjoyable sauvignon blanc

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It was the first time I had been inside webster's. It was a nice walk around tasting with not that many people. I got there early, so that helped with the crowd and I was only going to be a short time anyway. I would've liked to have stayed longer, but there's only so much time