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 Vintage2010 Label 6 of 16 
(NOTE: Label borrowed from 2007 vintage.)
TypeRed
ProducerLoring Wine Company (web)
VarietyPinot Noir
Designationn/a
VineyardKeefer Ranch Vineyard
CountryUSA
RegionCalifornia
SubRegionSonoma County
AppellationGreen Valley of Russian River Valley

Drinking Windows and Values
Drinking window: Drink between 2012 and 2015 (based on 7 user opinions)
Wine Market Journal quarterly auction price: See Loring Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch on the Wine Market Journal.

Community Tasting History

Community Tasting Notes (average 90.1 pts. and median of 90 pts. in 42 notes) - hiding notes with no text

 Tasted by timewithwine on 3/12/2020: Not quite “Loring Red” but close. Very much the same as 4 and a half months ago when I noted, “[a]mple black cherry, cherry pits, cola and vanilla which is tracked by the palate, but not an attention getter. Hot on the nose and palate; a just touch out of balance due to alcohol” which clocks in at 14.9% alc. Heavy sediment. With pork loin under a mustard cream sauce. Recommended. (272 views)
 Tasted by timewithwine on 11/30/2019: Not quite “Loring Red” but close. Ample black cherry, cherry pits, cola and vanilla which is tracked by the palate, but not an attention getter. Hot on the nose and palate with out of balance alcohol yet for some reason, the Spousal Unit favored this over the Durell. 14.9% alc. Heavy sediment. With Thanksgiving leftovers of smoked duck, sausage and leek dressing, sweet potato gratin and cranberries. Recommended. (266 views)
 Tasted by timewithwine on 11/30/2018: Closer to “Loring Red” than Pomegranate but just by a shade. We didn’t pay attention much to the wine (and won’t post these notes due to that fact). Black cherry, cherry pits, cola and vanilla which is tracked by the palate. Not an attention getter. 14.9% alc. Some heavy clumps of sediment. With blue cheeses and crusty bread. Recommended. (266 views)
 Tasted by dase13 on 5/10/2016 & rated 88 points: Color of medium red. Scents of raspberry. Tastes of ripe red fruit. On the second night of consuming, it was muted and not as good. (1526 views)
 Tasted by JOJ on 3/18/2016 & rated 88 points: Super young and fresh (thanks screw cap). Needed several hours to open. Very dark in color. On the nose, black cherry and raspberry -- fruit forward -- with notes of rose petal, brown sugar and baking spice. Palate is very zesty -- black cherry, with notes of orange peel -- finishing with a hint of baking spice. A bit more than I want in a Pinot, but well made. (1452 views)
 Tasted by Rick 4 Wine on 8/5/2015 & rated 89 points: Solid fruit bomb pinot, if you like that sort of thing. (1404 views)
 Tasted by underwds on 7/21/2015 & rated 89 points: Floral nose and blackberry fruit. Caught a hint of strawberry right after opening, but couldn't find it later. A bit of gravel mid-palate keeps the fruitiness under control. Relatively short finish with a little sweetness in the oak. Already a touch of brick to the color. (1486 views)
 Tasted by mk42 on 3/29/2015 & rated 90 points: Deep, rich fruit. Good balance. Nice with food. (1536 views)
 Tasted by King JR on 3/15/2015 & rated 93 points: Totally delicious bottle of wine. Quintessential wonderful aromatic Cali pinot. Plenty of fruit, super smooth, great acidity, nice layers. Great job, Brian. (774 views)
 Tasted by Bob in NC on 10/12/2014 & rated 89 points: Drank along side an 2012. We all initially liked '10 as it was more balanced, bit over 2 hours the '12 came on strong and the '10 faded some. Both were excellent and enjoyable. (975 views)
 Tasted by Birged on 1/1/2014 & rated 91 points: The wine has great smells of leather, melon, sandalwood, with a silky smooth taste of strawberry and currants, a mild dry balanced finish with few tannins as is expected from a Pinot, overall nuanced, interesting, easy drinking and tasting great. (1281 views)
 Tasted by SMZ on 12/11/2013 & rated 92 points: So much better than the last bottle of this vintage. Deep and lucious flavors...really quite nice. (1461 views)
 Tasted by Central Coast Wino on 10/17/2013 & rated 92 points: Loring pinots are amazing ... (1392 views)
 Tasted by Central Coast Wino on 6/27/2013 & rated 92 points: Still tasting amazing! (1673 views)
 Tasted by thebonnydooner on 4/9/2013 & rated 90 points: Again - very tasty -light on its feet, sweet delicious Pinot - full of fruit, maybe lacking some complexity. but nicely balanced with good cherry acidity and fine silky tannins. Nice juicy cherry fruit finish. (1728 views)
 Tasted by dase13 on 3/24/2013 & rated 92 points: Red in color. Scents of cherry and red berry, but not overly fruity. Tastes smooth, with cherry and red berry and some depth. Consistent with prior notes. (1213 views)
 Tasted by SMZ on 2/19/2013 & rated 88 points: Not up to the standards of the other Loring wines. Lacking a little in flavor and complexity. (1306 views)
 Tasted by tomherer on 1/20/2013 & rated 90 points: Nose of sassafras, vanilla, and etoh. Gobs of sweet, pure, wild berry fruit, turning slightly creamy over a few hours. Also tasting graphite, violets, and etoh. Medium finish with fine, integrated tannins. Slightly weak in the midpalate. Should go a few more years, but don't see any need to cellar. (1581 views)
 Tasted by thebonnydooner on 12/21/2012 & rated 91 points: Note - similar to the last bottle - this was incredibly delicious - maybe not overly complex, but showing great pinot character and lots of sweet blackcherry fruit with nice acidity and soft dry tannins. Juicy, Sweet, Excellent. (1087 views)
 Tasted by Central Coast Wino on 10/20/2012 & rated 92 points: Wow! I remember the last bottle being really good, but not this good. Absolutely incredible. This was a big, full-bodied Pinot with excellent balance. (1016 views)
 Tasted by brianngibson on 9/19/2012 & rated 91 points: Bright cherry, with a hint of mint. Very approachable right off the first pour. (1236 views)
 Tasted by Central Coast Wino on 8/30/2012 & rated 90 points: 90+ A full-bodied Pinot loaded with cherry and other red fruit. (1141 views)
 Tasted by thebonnydooner on 8/7/2012 & rated 91 points: Juicy and sweet. Sweet candied cherry nose. Nicely balanced and absolutely delicious. Probably a little simple, but drinking so well... (1284 views)
 Tasted by dase13 on 6/3/2012 & rated 93 points: Red in color. Scents of cherry and red berry, but not overly fruity. Tastes smooth, with cherry and red berry and some depth. Reminds me of why I enjoy Loring's pinots. (1267 views)
 Tasted by brigcampbell on 1/15/2012: Falltacular 2012 (FMIII in the OC): Of the various vineyards, I can detect Keefer more than any other. There's a bright sweet cherry note on the attack that gives it away. This was probably the 4 Keefer in the line up and I enjoyed them all equally. This wine might be slightly more fruit foward which is expected. Crowd favorite. (2587 views)
 Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine...

Professional 'Channels'
By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, California's Central Coast: Better than Ever (Aug 2012)
(Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley) Subscribe to see review text.
By Gregory Walter
PinotReport, Issue #77 (2/15/2012)
(Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch Vineyard Green Valley) Login and sign up and see review text.
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and PinotReport. (manage subscription channels)

CellarTracker Wiki Articles (login to edit | view all articles)

Loring Wine Company

Producer website

Pinot Noir

Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.


Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.

Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.

The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.

Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.

In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.

With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.

Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.

Keefer Ranch Vineyard

Keefer Ranch is located in the Green Valley appellation in the southwestern corner of the Russian River Valley. The 30 acre vineyard is located on gently rolling hills in an area known to have some of the coolest weather in the Russian River Valley. Morning and evening fog, gentle afternoon breezes, cool overnight temperatures and warm afternoon sun produce grapes with terrific natural acidity and a combination of elegance and intensity. Marcy Keefer and her son Craig Strehlow grow some of the best Pinot Noir grapes in Sonoma County and we are proud to have them as members of the family. The site has a superb micro-climate, offering just the right amount of warmth during the day and very cool nights, which leads to intensely focused red fruited wine with strong natural acidity.

USA

American wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.

California

2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson

Sonoma County

Mendocino County

 
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