A Great Impression from Expression wines

Yesterday, my boyfriend Doug and I (at left) hosted a July 4th party. The food was great and there were many tasty wines to choose from. But instead of writing about one of those wines, I want to highlight two bottles I enjoyed this past week.

On Tuesday evening, we went for dinner at Pizzeria Picco in Larkspur, Ca. Doug and I were happy to enjoy a glass of 2009 Expression 38° Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, Gap's Crown Vineyard ($48/bottle) while we waited for a table.

This Pinot is exceptionally dark and concentrated in the glass. Sweet, dark fruit aromas lead to a medium-plus body. Layers of black cherry, ripe blackberry, espresso bean, and vanilla are supported by dusty tannins and good acidity. This is a structured and luscious wine that finishes dry with cocoa and herbs; it was easy to sip on its own and it tasted great with the mushroom pizza we ordered. It would also pair nicely with a burger, sausage, or BBQ ribs!

The '38°' in the name represents the latitude of the vineyard from where the grapes were grown. Focusing on Burgundian varietals sourced from Sonoma Coast, Anderson Valley (39°), Willamette Valley (44°), and Santa Rita Hills (34°), Expression makes terrific wines that express the unique terroir of these different regions. I discovered this producer at Pinot Days and they sure made a great impression on me!

Expression makes a yummy Chardonnay, too. Last Friday, I popped the cork on a bottle of 2009 Expression 38° Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, Goldrock Ridge Vineyard ($25/bottle). Too tired to cook anything for dinner, I unwrapped some Cowgirl Creamery Red Hawk cheese, sliced a few fresh figs, and grabbed a handful of crackers

With aromas of orange blossom, vanilla, and creme brûlée, this full-bodied Chardonnay matched the weight and richness of the gooey, triple-cream cheese. Flavors of sweet oak and honey rounded out the palate and baking spice was abundant on the finish.

(If you prefer a lighter, leaner style of Chardonnay, please check out the wine I reviewed this past Tuesday.)


These two bottles were received courtesy of Expression Wine for review purposes. Order yours directly from the website.

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My kind of Chardonnay

It's the day before July 4th and I realize it would be appropriate to suggest red wines to pair with BBQ fare. But when it's hot and sunny, I'd rather drink something cool and refreshing (and that's what I plan to do!).

Last night, I had the opportunity to enjoy the 2011 Foxen "Steel Cut" Chardonnay from the Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley (Santa Barbara County). I would definitely recommend this easy-drinking white wine for a party (on Independence Day or any other time of year).

"This is Chardonnay?" my boyfriend asked me dubiously after taking a sip.

"It's my kind of Chardonnay," I answered.

If I had blind-tasted this delicious wine, I might have guessed it were a Sauvignon Blanc or some kind of white blend. Fermented entirely in stainless steel, this wine is fresh and lively and fruit-forward.

Subtle aromas of white flowers and lime peel give way to a vibrant palette of guava, gooseberry, and citrus flavors. Acidity is bright and refreshing. The long finish imparts mineral, seashell and lime--and persists until you take another sip.

I also noticed as this wine warmed up, I could taste pineapple and grapefruit. This was a unique and effusive light-bodied Chardonnay that was absolutely delicious on it's own, but it also paired nicely with the sautéed shrimp and summer squash I prepared for dinner.

There were only 250 cases of this particular Chardonnay produced ($32/bottle). This sample was received courtesy of Foxen Winery for review purposes but you can order yours through their website.

Foxen also makes Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Rhone-style reds, and Bordeaux-style reds, but the winery is known for producing outstanding Pinot Noir. I suggest you try any (or all) of their wines and visit the winery the next time you're in Santa Barbara!