Every Thursday I feature a wine I particularly enjoy, whether it’s something new and different, is a great value, or from a producer worth checking out. For this week, my Wine Of The Week is the 2012 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Central Coast.
The Winery
Loring Wine Company (“LWC”), an urban winery is owned by brother and sister – Brian, and Kimberly Loring. Brian is the winemaker,and self-proclaimed “Pinot-Freak”.
You know how most wine lovers start modestly with “starter” wines? Brian did not.
While in college, he worked at a wine store in Southern California where one of the owners was a Burgundy fanatic. Brian’s first experiences with Burgundy were from the some big-time Burgundy producers such as Domaine Dujac, Henri Jayer and the iconic Domaine Romanee-Conti.
After college he worked as a software engineer before getting hooked on the wine business. He got his start working the ’97 crush at Cottonwood Canyon Winery, and ended up making two barrels of Pinot Noir.
Loring has been a darling of Wine Spectator (“WS”) for a few years now, consistently earning 90+ point scores for their wines. That’s actually how I came to know about Loring. When I subscribed to WS a few years ago, I was reading an issue and amazed at how many high scores Loring received. I found out who they were, and purchased a bunch of wines from their vaunted 2008 vintage. Subsequently, when my wife and I arranged for a private tasting hosted by co-owner Kimberly Loring. Brian was also on hand. They were very gracious hosts,and we came away impressed.
The wines are sold through a mailing list and there is widespread retail distribution. Tasting is by appointment in the a tasting room Loring shares with Cargasacchi and Point Concpetion that is located in Buellton, between Ostrich Land and the Hitching Post II Restaurant (yes…the Hitching Post of “Sideways” fame”). The tasting room is open Thursday through Monday from 10am to 5pm; Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment only.
The Wine
This wine is a new AVA blend for Loring. The fruit was sourced from the some well known, prestigious, and diverse Pinot Noir vineyards including Russell Family in Paso Robles, Aubaine in Arroyo Grande Valley, and Clos Pepe Vineyard, and Ranch La Vina in the Santa Rita Hills AVA.
The retail price of the wine is $24, but I purchased a case for $16.50/bottle, which is an amazing deal for a Pinot Noir of this quality.
My tasting notes follow:
Deep ruby color with damp earth, mixed berry, spice and kiss of cola aromas. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied with a nice balance of acidity, and fruit with a supple mouthfeel. It exhibits concentrated morello cherry, cola, and spice flavors. Medium-long finish. SRP -$24 14.8% alcohol
Rating: A-: Outstanding Pinot Noir, from an outstanding PInot Noir producer and an outstanding vintage that drinks above its price point! Still young – if you have the kind of discipline I can’t seem to muster, lay down for a couple of years and I bet it’ll be even better!
Pair with: Great for Thanksgiving dinner, Coq Au Vin, Duck, and plank grilled salmon
>>Find this wine<<.
Sample purchased for review
(A+) – 98-100/Extraordinary
(A) – 94-97/Outstanding
(A-) – 90-93/Excellent
(B+) – 86-89/Very good
(B) – 80-85/Good
(C) – 70-79/Bleh
(D) – 50-69/#Fail
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