Important Update From the Founder
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Go West! Tasting
The QEII Centre, Westminster, London
Tasted March 10, 2016 by kostaslonis with 671 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
White
2014 Mark Ryan Chardonnay Board Track Racer "The Vincent"
88 points
Beautiful clear stone fruit, green apple and pear, clean palate, felt like off-dry-ish, stalky freshness, med body, nice
White
2013 Oak Knoll Winery Pinot Gris
87 points
Straight, simple, ripe stone fruit, the palate follows the same pattern, stone fruit and citrus, med body and finish
White
2014 Willamette Valley Vineyards Chardonnay Estate Vineyard
90 points
Full oaky and ripe stone fruit, ripe lime, balanced beautifully, med+ body and lively acidity, layered, med+ finish.
White
2013 Dobbes Family Estate Chardonnay
89 points
Reserved nose, refined, lively acidity, ripe stone fruit and lime, med body and med to long finish.
White
2013 Amalie Robert Chardonnay Estate Bottled Heirloom Cameo
89 points
Ripe stone fruit, oaky, buttery, nutty, med body, mineral, nice acidity, lemon and then ripe fruit, fresh. 89+
White
2013 Willamette Valley Vineyards Chardonnay Bernau Block
90 points
Reserved, limey and oaky aromas, ripe lemon, nice perfume overall, light dough (like a nice lemon pie), med body, nice palate, same profile as the nose, lime and yeast derived notes
White
2013 Willamette Valley Vineyards Chardonnay Elton Vineyard
91 points
Dense, more oaky than the Bernau Chardonnay (quite like trying Puligny & Chassagne), nutty, almonst smoky nuances, nice palate, same profile as the nose, nice texture, on the verge of being called tannic, med finish, great one
White
2013 Mercer Riesling
89 points
Lime, clear, crispy, citrus, classic Riesling perfume, nice palate, tea leaf nuances, almost caramel notes too, full peach infused med finish 89+
White
2013 Pomum Cellars Riesling Upland Vineyard
88 points
Sweet perfume, citrus, stone ripe fruit, red apple, tea scents, off dry, same palate, peach and caramel, med body, short to med finish
White
2014 Long Shadows Wineries Riesling Poet's Leap
86 points
A bit numb in the nose, off-dry, citrus, stalky, med body and finish, easygoing.
ps seeing all the other comments, I think I got an off bottle
ps seeing all the other comments, I think I got an off bottle
White
2014 Mark Ryan Viognier Columbia Valley
88 points
Big fruit aromas with peach and apricot, floral notes too, nice acidity, balanced, med+ finish 88+
White
2014 Cowhorn Viognier
88 points
Nice nutty oak with stone fruit, walnut, nicely balanced palate, ripe apricot, med+ body and finish 88+
White
2014 Cowhorn Marsanne Roussanne
88 points
Ripe sweet citrus and stone fruit, med+ body, dense, structured, fine, lively (and lovely) acidity, med finish 88+
Red
2014 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir Estate
89 points
Nice red cherry and berry, a bit stalky, earthy, beautiful palate, clear red fruit, nice acidity, med body and biscuit nuances, tasty, med length 89+
Red
2014 Dion Vineyard Pinot Noir
89 points
A bit more serious profile, ripe, light oaky, sweet spice, cinnamon, same palate, med+ acidity that makes it a bit harder now, ripe red fruit and smoke with toast comes through in the med+ finish. It needs time
Red
2013 Montinore Estate Pinot Noir Reserve
90 points
Ripe fruit, berry, nice cinnamon/nutmeg, smoky, toasted oak, nice palate, fruit first and oak in the back , light toast nuances, med body and med+ finish, tasty, nice and a bit tannic
Red
2013 Iota Pinot Noir Not One Pelos Sandberg Vineyard
90 points
Beatutiful big nose, full ripe berry and cherry, cinnamon, very welcoming, decadent, ethereal, palate a step back in intensity but copying the nose profile, ripe fruit, med finish
Red
2013 Anam Cara Pinot Noir Nicholas Estate
87 points
Broad brown profile, woody, ripe red berry, a touch of oak, med body and tannins, med finish. A strange one
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Red
2013 Longplay Pinot Noir Jory Bench Reserve Lia's Vineyard
87 points
A nice clear profile, red cherry, sweet spiced, same profile in the palate, lacks strength and intensity
Red
2013 Montinore Estate Pinot Noir Cataclysm
88 points
Fresh and lively nose, almost bubble gum-like, ripe red berry, nutmeg, in the palate the wines feels nice with bigger flavors, tannic, structured, dense, toasty, med+ acidity and med finish
Red
2013 Panther Creek Pinot Noir Schindler
89 points
Ripe red cherry, nutmeg, thin oaky layers, nice fresh palate, berry/cherry, a touch of oak, nice acidity, med+ finish
Red
2013 Dobbes Family Estate Pinot Noir Griffin's Cuvée
89 points
Bright clear red fruit, flowery too, in the palate the fruits is bright as well, med body, nice structure and tannins, a touch of alcohol, med finish
Red
2013 Van Duzer Pinot Noir Dijon Blocks
91 points
Nice clear and upfront red fruit profile, (quite the Central Otago), nice, spicy touch and light oak nuanced, beautiful palate, fruit, fresh, nice oak, long finish. This is one tasty wine !!!!!
Red
2013 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir Elton Vineyard
93 points
A step up from all the previous wines, more intensity, more oak but in balance, the fruit is ripe, the palate is gorgeous, ethereal texture, ripe red fruit, nice tannins, long finish
Red
2012 Amalie Robert Pinot Noir Dijon Clones
94 points
Big powerful nose, full spicy cinnamon and nutmeg nose, great oak frame, ripe red currant and cherry. The palate follows the same great profile, full spicy and oaky, ripe berry, fine tannins and long finish. Truly outstanding quality 94+
Red
2012 Amalie Robert Pinot Noir Pommard Clone
95 points
Great old world complexity, earthy, ripe fruit, touch of toasted oak, walnut, cinnamon. In the palate the wine follows down the same decadent road, glorious ripe sweet tannins, beautiful spiced frame, med body and med+ finish. Outstanding quality
Red
2012 Amalie Robert Pinot Noir The Reserve
93 points
Very sweet decadent spice, oak, ripe berry and cherry, almost strawberry chutney, spicy and ethereal. Nice mouthfeel, balanced, nice ripe sweet fruit, sweet spiced, tannins, round, med body and long finish. Outstanding
Red
2014 Savage Grace Wines Cabernet Franc Copeland Vineyard
90 points
Big bright red fruit, nice spiced oak, refreshing, a touch of garlic-like reduction here next to cinnamon. Sweet palate, nice red fruit, nice tannins and acidity, round palate, ripe berry, med body and tasty overall med finish
Red
2013 Long Shadows Wineries Merlot Pedestal
93 points
Big ripe fruit bomb but with depth and spicy texture, nice ripe fruit that follow in the palate, alcohol heat (15.20%), fruit in alcohol, blueberry, ripe red cherry, black cherry, nice texture, nice ripe juicy tannins, long finish
Red
2012 Dunham Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
93 points
Big smoky, toasty ripe black fruit aromas, berry and currant, tobacco, juicy oaky, grilled green bell pepper. Nice texture, ripe silky tannins, ripe blue and black fruit, nice oak, great balance, long finish. Outstanding quality
Red
2013 J. Bookwalter Protagonist
92 points
Dense big smoke, toasty, roasted nuts, green bell pepper, very extrovert, spicy, dense oak. In the palate same profile, a bit lighter though which is nice, ripe fruit, toast, oak, spice, med tannins and finish. Outstanding
Red
2012 Dunham Cellars Trutina
92 points
Big high intensity nose, fruity, full spicy, oak, toast, black berry and cherry. The palate is equally big, juicy, balanced, fruit, oak, toast again, same fruit with a few blackcurrants here and there, dense, nice structure, nice acidity and tannins, long finish. Outstanding
Red
2013 Mark Ryan Long Haul
89 points
Nice fruit based nose, light nutty and allspice frame, a bit floral too. The palate is nice and a bit stalky, more tannins here, nice body and sweet overall but lacking the “wow” factor in the palate, med finish 89+
Flight 2 - Main Hall (35 notes)
The wines from the main hall of the wine fair
Red
2012 Joseph Phelps Insignia
94 points
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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Red
2013 Saintsbury Pinot Noir
89 points
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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Red
2013 Saintsbury Pinot Noir Sundawg Ridge Vineyard
89 points
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++
Red
2013 Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
88 points
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.
Red
2013 Michael-David Vineyards Zinfandel 7 Deadly Zins
88 points
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.
Red
2012 Cambria Syrah Tepusquet Vineyard
87 points
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
Red
2011 Hartford / Hartford Court Zinfandel Old Vine Russian River Valley
89 points
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
Red
2010 Mt. Brave Merlot
91 points
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
White
2013 Stonehedge Chardonnay Reserve
89 points
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
Red
2013 McNab Ridge Petite Sirah
90 points
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
Red
2012 Benovia Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
91 points
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
Red
2012 Donelan Syrah Cuvée Christine
91 points
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
White - Sweet/Dessert
2011 Morlet Family Vineyards Billet Doux
94 points
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
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
Red
2014 Hanzell Pinot Noir Sebella
88 points
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
Red
2013 Ghostwriter Pinot Noir Woodruff Family Vineyard
88 points
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.
Red
2011 Bien Nacido Vineyards Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley
89 points
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
Red
2013 Chanin Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard
88 points
Crisp and ripe fruit, clean nose, nice red berry, balanced palate, nice acidity, sweet spice, med body and finish, nice easygoing.
Red
2013 Foxglove Zinfandel
84 points
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
Red
2012 Gramercy Cellars Syrah Walla Walla Valley
89 points
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.
Red
2013 Ridge Monte Bello
93 points
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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Red
2013 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
92 points
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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Red
2012 Bonny Doon Vineyard Syrah Le Pousseur
88 points
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
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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Red
2010 Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Volant
90 points
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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White
2014 Charles Smith Riesling Kung Fu Girl
90 points
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
Red
2012 K Vintners Syrah The Hidden Northridge Vineyard
93 points
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
(15%), mocca, chocolate, needs time to breathe, massive depth, long finish. Outstanding
Red
2010 Qupé Syrah Sonnie's Sawyer Lindquist Vineyard
92 points
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
Red
2012 Powers Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Coyote Vineyard
92 points
(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
Red
2013 K Vintners Syrah The Beautiful
91 points
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
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
Red
2011 Ravenswood Zinfandel Old Vine Sonoma County
91 points
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
White
2013 SIXTO Chardonnay Frenchman Hills Vineyard
89 points
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
Red
2012 Powers Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Kiona Vineyards
89 points
(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
Red
2013 Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyards
89 points
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
Red
2013 Powers Syrah Columbia Valley
89 points
(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.
Red
2014 Ravenswood Zinfandel Old Vine Lodi
89 points
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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Red
2012 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown Napa Valley
92 points
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
Flight 3 - Self-Pour Table, California Cabernet Sauvignon Master Tasting (7 notes)
A self pour table with Californian Cab Sauvignon selected by 2 MWs
Red
2012 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley
91 points
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
Red
2012 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown Napa Valley
90 points
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
Red
2013 Hahn Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast
89 points
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
Red
2010 Robert Sinskey Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon SLD Estate
91 points
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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Red
2012 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fay
93 points
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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Red
2012 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23
95 points
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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Red
2012 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon S.L.V.
94 points
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