7/21/2023 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Decanted for an hour. Very balanced wine with medium acidity and tannins. The blend seems to have softened the wine. Flavor: blackberry, black current, a touch of vanilla. Actually approachable, but will lay down the last bottle for a few years to see if the wine develops further.

6/2/2023 - Sour Grapes wrote:

Not as extracted and over-oaked as the 2010 but the oak is noticeable. Opened up after only 15 minutes in glass. Medium tannins and acidity.

3/19/2023 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Agree with previous notes. Popped and poured - well balanced at this stage.

3/18/2023 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Still has the acidity to keep going. Very good now without a decant but did get better with air.

3/16/2023 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Got better with air. An hour decant seemed to be the sweet spot.

2/6/2023 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Golden Color, lemon and green apple on the nose and palate. Hint of vanilla on the palate as well. medium body, medium acidity, not a fruit forward wine. This is drinking much better and balanced compared to when when I opened a bottle in 2018. Not sure of QPR as there are a lot of nice Chards for less.

2/3/2023 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Semi Transparent/Opaque dark red and lightens up towards the edges. No signs of browning on the edges. Blackberry and black cherry on the nose and palate. Also a hint of black pepper on the palate. At this stage this is a medium body wine with medium + tannins and medium acidity - Very balanced. 10+ years has been no problem for this wine. Impressive

2/1/2023 - Sour Grapes wrote:

Slight browning on the edges, picking up black cherry and vanilla on the nose, low-medium tannins at this stage, medium plus acidity, slight blackberry on palate but fruit seems to have faded indicating that I possibly waited too long for this one.

1/23/2023 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

93 today but most likely a 95 in a few years.
Golden color, lemon and green apple on the nose, medium+ acidity, medium body. Lemons with a hint of vanilla on the palate.

1/6/2023 - Sour Grapes Does not like this wine:

Has mellowed over the years but still comes across as over-oaked and over-extracted. FYI - Stored in a professional storage unit. Based on past tastings at the winery (during pick up parties) this appears to be the winemaker's style. Not looking forward to the last bottle.

12/22/2022 - Sour Grapes Does not like this wine:

Consistent with a few years back. Developed secondary traits but over-oaked.

12/20/2022 - Sour Grapes wrote:

Time has significantly improved this wine. There is still enough acid and tannins to believe that this can continue to be aged longer. Getting the sour cherry which is not my preference, but the wine is well made.

12/5/2022 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

still going strong. Age has helped smooth out the wine. Fruit forward but the oak has integrated and there is a balance of acidity and tannins. Gave this an hour decant.

10/29/2022 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Needs another year or so. Tannins still present but calming down.

10/28/2022 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

In a nice place at the moment. The acid has softened up and the tannins are very low to non existent. Eight years seems to be a good spot for the 2014.

11/2/2021 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Drinking well right now but can still go longer.

3/24/2018 - Sour Grapes wrote:

In a great drinking window right now. Everything is integrated with just enough tannins for support. Went well with pork chops and a wine reduction sauce.
For $38 this was a great QPR.

1/15/2018 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Starting to open up nicely with an hour of air. Enjoyed the 2012 much more than the 2011.

1/20/2018 - Sour Grapes wrote:

I found this vintage to currently be more approachable than the oak monster of 2010. The oak, while present, does not beat you over the head. I am not sure I would purchase this again, but I am interested to see how my other two bottles age.

1/5/2018 - Sour Grapes Does not like this wine:

In a strange phase. Seems to be developing secondary characteristics but the oak is too overpowering and takes away from any enjoyable flavors. I have one more bottle to wait and see if this can get better. A pass at the moment.

1/3/2018 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Started off with the acid being more pronounced than the fruit. After a 30 minute air time all was good - the acid integrated and the wine was balanced. The very present tannins when I had this in 2016 are now infused with the wine. This wine is maturing nicely and appears to have the legs to keep going.

12/30/2017 - Sour Grapes Does not like this wine:

Not much going on with this one. A bit tart and acidic but with no flavor coming through. It was like drinking a flavorless black tea with some acidity thrown in. Not really my preference.

12/24/2017 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Almost a perfect balance of acidity and fruit. An abundance of acidity but enough fruit to keep everything in check. Reminds me of a French Chablis but with added weight behind it. A very enjoyable wine. The only question is whether or not the QPR is in line. Are there comparable CA Chards with less of a price point?

11/27/2017 - Sour Grapes Does not like this wine:

Tannins and oak all day long. I still have splinters from the first sip. At the moment this is not an enjoyable wine as the fruit is muted from the amount of oak and the very present tannins. I have two more bottles which will sit at least another year before trying again. Disappointing at this stage.

11/3/2017 - Sour Grapes wrote:

Worth the wait as this has come together nicely. In a very nice drinking window. Well balanced.

10/21/2017 - Sour Grapes wrote:

There was not much on the nose. Picked up a butterscotch flavor on the pallate which is not what I am looking for. Did get better with more time in the glass but not enough. Scored 5th out of 8 wines for group.

8/28/2017 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Drinking well at the moment. Seems to have come together nicely - glad I waited before opening this one.

4/17/2017 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Nice balance of fruit and acidity.

3/25/2017 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Nicely balanced at this stage. Wish I had more than the one bottle.

3/23/2017 - Sour Grapes wrote:

Barnyard nose, good acidity, slightly sour and/or stems present. This was better the second day, although the sour component was still present but to a lesser degree. Going to wait on my next three bottles to see if more time will help.

12/10/2016 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

very enjoyable

1/14/2017 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Drinking well right now.

11/9/2016 - Sour Grapes Does not like this wine:

Good acidity but did not care for the oak that was too present, nor the butterscotch flavor that crept in. Maybe consuming this earlier would have resulted in a wine that was more crisp, but I only had this one bottle.

8/20/2016 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

A little young to open but still enjoyable at this early stage. Fruit forward with pronounced tannins. Balanced with no heat on the backend. Will wait for another year or two before opening another bottle.

8/14/2016 - Sour Grapes Does not like this wine:

A forgetful wine. Actually reminded me of prune juice which is not what I am looking for in a wine.

5/28/2016 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Drinking well now - everything seems to be together. A crowd pleaser at dinner.

10/9/2015 - Sour Grapes wrote:

Inky Purple to the eye, dark fruit flavor, medium/low acidity, young at the moment but still approachable. Nice QPR

10/3/2015 - Sour Grapes wrote:

Golden Straw color. Picked up lemon citrus flavor and a touch of oak. Not overly complex but this is a young wine. A good balance of medium weight and high acidity. As mentioned previously, age will probably help.

5/27/2015 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Crisp and refreshing - no buttery oak flavor.

12/14/2014 - Sour Grapes wrote:

Does not seem to be in a good place at the moment. Bitter taste, a bit of heat, and a little too much full throttle (even for a Loring). I am holding off on the rest of the bottles and giving them some time.

10/12/2014 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Decanted for 30 minutes at restaurant. Acidity is still present so this shows that the wine is holding up well. To me this feels like it is in the middle of the drinking window. I am not sure if this wine will develop any further but I have one more bottle to find out.

10/11/2014 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

P&P as there is no need to decant. Everything is together on this one - great balance.

4/12/2014 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

The oak was well integrated and there is no hint that this is at an alcohol level of 15%. I was able to pick up red cherry on the palate. A nice tannin structure is present without being overwhelming. There is good acidity that held up well with the Italian dishes that we were having (tomato based sauces). Overall, this an enjoyable wine that does not seem to be over the top.

3/17/2014 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Great QPR! A nice change of pace after getting beat up on by the heavy oak monsters of WA. A refreshing every day wine.

3/4/2014 - Sour Grapes wrote:

Maybe not as big as a typical Loring Pinot, but this is still a big Ca Pinot.
Nice fruit forward wine with a smooth finish. Pretty well integrated. It does seem to lack a bit of acidity and is a bit on the ripe side. Would be interested to try this in another 6-12 months to see where this one is at.

2/21/2014 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Drinking well. This is a big but well balanced Pinot. Dark fruit with a smooth finish. Big flavor and no hint of heat - a really fun wine.
Went great with stuffed pork chops.

2/14/2014 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Great balance and nice acidity. Right out of the gate this one was focused but give it 30 minutes to open up and another layer emerges.

One of the better Chardonnays that I have had. Need to get more of this one.

1/2/2014 - Sour Grapes wrote:

Agree with the previous note - This was better on the second day. Much more open on the second day so a bit of aging probably would improve this one.

12/24/2013 - Sour Grapes wrote:

Pretty consistent with last year's notes. A nice everyday type of wine with mild tannins. No need to hold any longer as this is not a very complex wine. I don't believe this is going to develop any secondary characteristics.

11/28/2013 - Sour Grapes Likes this wine:

Well balanced.