Dec 30, 2022
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Expression Wines
| Owner(s) | William Hill, William Hill, Richard Sowalsky |
| Web site | www.expressionwine.com |
| Link to this site |
This winery produces multiple Pinot Noirs from different latitudes representing different “Expressions” of Pinot Noir. Winegrowing regions represented include Santa Rita Hills, Sonoma Coast, Anderson Valley and the Eola-Amity Hills of Oregon. The goal of winemaker Richard Sowalsky is to feature the vineyards and the terroir of each region. Sowalsky is a graduate of University California Davis with experience at Handley Cellars, Havens Wine Cellars, Robert Mondavi Winery, William Hill Winery and Big Horn Cellars. Sowalsky is in partnership with William Hill, who has a 30+ track record of vineyard stewardship and is one of the owners of Premier Pacific Vineyards.
Expression Wines' winegrowing regions include the Santa Rita Hills (34º), the Sonoma Coast (38º), the Anderson Valley (39º), and the Eola-Amity Hills (44º) of the Willamette Valley, Oregon.
The wines are crafted at the Silverado Trail Wine Studio. Expression wines are sold through a mailing list, on the website, and through limited retail distribution.
Articles About Expression Wines
Anderson Noir Valley Pinot Festival: After the Smoke Clears (8.16 6/8/2010)
Anderson Noir Valley: Trade Tasting (9.8 6/24/2012)
Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival (9.26 6/23/2013)
Andersonoir Valley Pinot Noir Festival (8.40 6/30/2011)
Embarrassment of Riches: Oregon (9.1 1/11/2012)
More Sips of 2007 California Pinot Noir (7.21 7/9/2009)
Pinot Noir Newcomers Focus Tasting (7.24 8/28/2009)
Press Tasting of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir (9.44 7/28/2014)
Press Tasting of Current Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Releases (10.34 7/24/2016)
Sips of Recently Tasted White Wines (10.3 1/22/2015)
Reviewed Wines
2013 Expression Ordway Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 125 cases, $50. From a
sustainably farmed vineyard located at the western end of the Anderson Valley.
·
Moderately light reddish purple
color in the glass. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, blueberry and pomegranate are bold in this mid weight
plus styled wine full of seductive fruit and graced with a rapturous mouthfeel. Detracting from the experience is
a heavy overlay of oak vanillin and a mild alcohol induced lip burn on the finish.
Score: 89.
Reviewed July 24, 2016
ARTICLE »
2012 Expression Ordway Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., 160 cases, $50. 100% destemmed,
1-week cold soak, short, hot fermentation. Slight extended maceration post fermentation.
·
Moderately dark reddish purple hue in the glass. Well-ripened cherry and berry aromas. Mid to full bodied
core of dark red and black stone fruits and berries with a touch of dark chocolate and cola. Plush and velvety
on the palate with refined tannins and a hint of alcohol on the finish.
Score: 89.
Reviewed July 28, 2014
ARTICLE »
2011 Expression Annahala Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 140 cases, $48.
ReleasedMay 1, 2013. Vineyard is halfway between towns of Philo and Boonville on Highway 128.100% destemmed,
whole berry fermentation in open-top fermenters, 1-week cold soak, gentle pump-overs, slight
extended maceration post-fermentation.
·
Medium reddish-purple hue in the glass. Aromas of cherries,
sandalwood and dried herbs. Juicy black cherry flavor with a peculiar note probably associated with oak. Easy
to drink with supple tannins and finesse. Good.
Reviewed June 23, 2013
ARTICLE »
2009 Expression 44 Roserock Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Oregon Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $38. Sustainably
farmed vineyard planted in Nekia soils. Winemaker is Patrick Mahaney.
·
Moderate reddish-purple color in the
glass. Very earthy nose replete with aromas of mushrooms, forest floor and oak. Ripe cherry and berry fruit
veering to the red side with a hint of anise and oak. Well-behaved tannins with some persistence on the bright
finish which shows a good cut of acidity. Pushes the ripeness envelope. The flavors trump the aromas at this
stage. Good.
Reviewed January 12, 2012
ARTICLE »
2009 Expression Annahala Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 220 cases, $48. Released
April 2011. 100% de-stemmed, aged in 33% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderate reddish-purple color with
slight haze in the glass. Appealing nose that is flush with fruits including fresh berries and plums. Mediumbodied
flavors of darker berries wrapped in polished tannins with noticeable oak in the background. Will need
some time in the cellar to better integrate the oak. Good (+).
Reviewed July 1, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 Expression Annahala Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc.,
224 cases, $48, released May 1, 2012. This vineyard is located between Philo
and Boonville on Highway 128.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple color in the
glass. Very appealing aromas of cherries, plum cake and spice. Soft in the
mouth with a moderately rich core of tasty dark cherries and plums accented by
spice and savory herbs. Very approachable with mild, relaxed tannins, offering
interesting nuances with each sip. Has improved over time in bottle. Very good (+).
Reviewed June 24, 2012
ARTICLE »
2007 Expression 39 Anahala Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $48.
·
This is a delightful Pinot Noir. Scents of well-spiced cherries
and berries are echoed in the fruit flavors which are delicately kissed by oak.
The fruit is full of vim and vigor and well-framed by substantial ripe tannins.
Still young and somewhat undeveloped, this beauty will benefit from another
6 to 12 months in the cellar.
Reviewed July 9, 2009
ARTICLE »
2007 Expression 39 Annahala Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 400 cases, $48.
Released in the fall 2009. This vineyard is located halfway between the towns of Boonville and Philo. Aged in
33% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Appealing aromas of black cherries,
plums and Moroccan spices. Ripely flavored plums and black currents with a hint of raisin and anise. Mediumbodied
with supple tannins and a dry finish. Good.
Reviewed June 8, 2010
ARTICLE »
2013 Expression Ordway Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 125 cases, $50. From a sustainably farmed vineyard located at the western end of the Anderson Valley. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, blueberry and pomegranate are bold in this mid weight plus styled wine full of seductive fruit and graced with a rapturous mouthfeel. Detracting from the experience is a heavy overlay of oak vanillin and a mild alcohol induced lip burn on the finish. Score: 89. Reviewed July 24, 2016 ARTICLE »
2012 Expression Ordway Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., 160 cases, $50. 100% destemmed, 1-week cold soak, short, hot fermentation. Slight extended maceration post fermentation. · Moderately dark reddish purple hue in the glass. Well-ripened cherry and berry aromas. Mid to full bodied core of dark red and black stone fruits and berries with a touch of dark chocolate and cola. Plush and velvety on the palate with refined tannins and a hint of alcohol on the finish. Score: 89. Reviewed July 28, 2014 ARTICLE »
2011 Expression Annahala Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 140 cases, $48. ReleasedMay 1, 2013. Vineyard is halfway between towns of Philo and Boonville on Highway 128.100% destemmed, whole berry fermentation in open-top fermenters, 1-week cold soak, gentle pump-overs, slight extended maceration post-fermentation. · Medium reddish-purple hue in the glass. Aromas of cherries, sandalwood and dried herbs. Juicy black cherry flavor with a peculiar note probably associated with oak. Easy to drink with supple tannins and finesse. Good. Reviewed June 23, 2013 ARTICLE »
2009 Expression 44 Roserock Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Oregon Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $38. Sustainably farmed vineyard planted in Nekia soils. Winemaker is Patrick Mahaney. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Very earthy nose replete with aromas of mushrooms, forest floor and oak. Ripe cherry and berry fruit veering to the red side with a hint of anise and oak. Well-behaved tannins with some persistence on the bright finish which shows a good cut of acidity. Pushes the ripeness envelope. The flavors trump the aromas at this stage. Good. Reviewed January 12, 2012 ARTICLE »
2009 Expression Annahala Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 220 cases, $48. Released April 2011. 100% de-stemmed, aged in 33% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple color with slight haze in the glass. Appealing nose that is flush with fruits including fresh berries and plums. Mediumbodied flavors of darker berries wrapped in polished tannins with noticeable oak in the background. Will need some time in the cellar to better integrate the oak. Good (+). Reviewed July 1, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 Expression Annahala Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 224 cases, $48, released May 1, 2012. This vineyard is located between Philo and Boonville on Highway 128. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Very appealing aromas of cherries, plum cake and spice. Soft in the mouth with a moderately rich core of tasty dark cherries and plums accented by spice and savory herbs. Very approachable with mild, relaxed tannins, offering interesting nuances with each sip. Has improved over time in bottle. Very good (+). Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »
2007 Expression 39 Anahala Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $48. · This is a delightful Pinot Noir. Scents of well-spiced cherries and berries are echoed in the fruit flavors which are delicately kissed by oak. The fruit is full of vim and vigor and well-framed by substantial ripe tannins. Still young and somewhat undeveloped, this beauty will benefit from another 6 to 12 months in the cellar. Reviewed July 9, 2009 ARTICLE »
2007 Expression 39 Annahala Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 400 cases, $48. Released in the fall 2009. This vineyard is located halfway between the towns of Boonville and Philo. Aged in 33% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Appealing aromas of black cherries, plums and Moroccan spices. Ripely flavored plums and black currents with a hint of raisin and anise. Mediumbodied with supple tannins and a dry finish. Good. Reviewed June 8, 2010 ARTICLE »