Expression Wines is a new project by William Hill, and it’s all about the Pinot. The conceit of the labeling is that each Pinot is designated by its northern latitude: Santa Rita Hills (34°), Sonoma Coast (38°), Anderson Valley (39°), and the Eola-Amity Hills (44°) of Willamette Valley, Oregon.
You may recognize Hill’s name from a bottle of wine or two (he sold his namesake winery to Gallo back in the ’70s). He has been involved with at least 40 other wineries since and owns a significant acreage of vineyards throughout Oregon and California. The fruit is largely sourced from his own vineyards.
Whiffs of elegant perfume waft from the glass. Lively cranberry and blackberry are elevated, with steely mineral notes juxtaposed against warm, earth flavors. Elegantly structured with delineated layers that ebb into currant and chocolate on the finish.