Started out a bit sweet but that subsided over time. Easy drinking pinot with some twiggy notes and black cherry. Fairly light body. Became balanced but never exciting. Drink up, it'll not get better from here.
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PnP and had with pizza. This big bold wine has aged nicely. Still rich with dark cherry profile, it has rounded a bit and perhaps become a bit more food friendly . Good to see how well this was on it's back 9.
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Still hanging on. Some really nice ripe cherry and strawberry fruit. Pretty classic ripe CA pinot, not overly nuanced but the fruit is very pure and tasty. This is starting to dry out some, with a little bit of a short finish. Having been on the Loring list for a while, I think most of these wines are early drinkers, with a 2-5 year sweet spot. Was nice to find this though and see what they do with some age.
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Drank alongside the 2011. We prefer the '11 vintage. This '10 has more jammy fruit and not as clean, it is somewhat muddled. The spices are more subdued than the '11.
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While we enjoyed this wine, 2010 continues to be our least favorite vintage for many Loring wines, including this one. Like some of the 2010 this wine is somewhat harsher, disjointed then other vintages. That said, we stilled enjoyed the layers of fruit and spice flavors. Not sure if more time will improve this wine, but we have one move bottle, so we will find out.
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Typical Loring (full) mouthfeel, somewhat reticent nose (partly because someone put it in the icebucket with all the white wines at a party. After it warmed a bit the cherry notes began to flex their muscles. A bit more pronounced oak notes than most Lorings. Not overly done, just distinctly evident - probably should have let it age some more. My last one.
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Consumed over 2 evenings. Cranberry / raspberry, a little cola but in balance. Continue to like the appelation wines as much or more than the SVDs because they seem to be a little more reserved.
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Decidedly rich, ripe style, but does that style right. Loads of black cherry, cola, spice. Flat-out delicious. Not a particularly intellectual wine, but impressive for its strength and bold strokes.
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Honest. SRH + Loring. Full and ripe, but with the classic Loring acidity and heat to back it up. I think SRH can produce lighter and more elegant wines, but I'm glad Loring is pushing the edge on this style. It is something CA does well and why not celebrate it?
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See previous notes. Still value packed at this price point. Drank over two days (which doesn't usually happen) and it gained depth and character overnight. If scoring 90-92.
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I don't know what happened in the months since I last tasted this wine, but whatever happened was a wonderful thing. This wine is lush with fruit, but elegant and well balanced at the same time. A real pleasure to drink .....
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Mrs. Coupe popped a bottle at the end of the night on Easter. I did not get a chance to try that night, but was able to have a glass the each of the next two nights. Wine held up really well, even on 3rd night wine held its classic Loring profile. Rich lush red fruit and vanilla. Big assed wine, with rich flavor. I usually enjoy my Loring's most on first night (heck usually enjoy them so much that there is no second night), so no rating. But really enjoyed. Noted Pinot hater Mrs. Coupe also enjoyed
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Brian does a wonderful job bringing quality PN in this price point. Twist and pour, light red fruit, a bit of spice, fully integrated with a nice finish. If scoring 89-91.
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Very similar to notes from a year ago. Light red fruit dominates, less syrupy mouthfeel than the 2009 RRV that I finished before this. Any heat on the finish that was around a year ago has mellowed as well.
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Sea Smoke and Loring: Another big, forward Cali PN. The dark red fruit here was certainly more forward than the Sea Smoke with a similar flavor profile. The sassafras component was more dominant here but over all this was abit lacking in depth and complexity. Enjoyable, none the less.
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Just tastes good. Bright red fruit, not over the top, just right. Some spice to keep it interesting. Heat in check, good acidity, and did I mention it just tastes good? If scoring 89-91.
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Initially hot and a bit disjointed, but left on the counter for 5 hours and the heat dissipated somewhat. Plum, earth, raspberry, flowers, and herbs on the nose. Plum, cherry, spice, and some heat on the palate. There's a nice roundness on the palate. Good acidity. My second favorite of the three AVA wines. Nice wine for the price if you can get past the heat.
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Drank a bit earlier than I planned, as I needed a screw top. :-) A fun fun wine that does make me think well of the Santa Rita Hills. Definitely a fruit forward wine, but not too over the top. Not really that much oak for the fruit, so tastes very good young. A good party wine.
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I thought we might be too early on this bottle; not so. This is a bit softer/smoother than a lot of Loring's stuff this young. Red fruit: Cherry, raspberry, strawberry. You'll sense the heat if you aren't expecting it. Still, really nice stuff. One to drink young
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Pale ruby in the glass. Lots of sweet red fruit aromas. Straightforward clean fruit. Just a little bit of heat through the mid-palate and to the finish.
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Probably my favorite of the three 2010 AVA wines. Nice aromatics with smooth fresh fruit on the palate. Round and not overly complex but the quality of the fruit and Brian's winemaking abilities shine through. I was a bit concerned that this would lack some of the body of the single vineyards but it has a wonderful mouthfeel and I was not guilty enjoying these immediately. Dark blackberry and some blueberry notes.
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1/14/2020 - iamandyc Likes this wine: 89 Points
Started out a bit sweet but that subsided over time. Easy drinking pinot with some twiggy notes and black cherry. Fairly light body. Became balanced but never exciting. Drink up, it'll not get better from here.
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10/12/2018 - Coupe 60 wrote: 92 Points
PnP and had with pizza. This big bold wine has aged nicely. Still rich with dark cherry profile, it has rounded a bit and perhaps become a bit more food friendly . Good to see how well this was on it's back 9.
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5/10/2017 - BodegaMateo wrote: 95 Points
Absolute best Pinot on Earth. Never had a Pinot that wants to be this bold and Beautiful! I dare anyone to find a bolder Pinot!
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4/17/2017 - thebonnydooner wrote: 90 Points
Still hanging on. Some really nice ripe cherry and strawberry fruit. Pretty classic ripe CA pinot, not overly nuanced but the fruit is very pure and tasty. This is starting to dry out some, with a little bit of a short finish. Having been on the Loring list for a while, I think most of these wines are early drinkers, with a 2-5 year sweet spot. Was nice to find this though and see what they do with some age.
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11/1/2015 - Bob in NC wrote: 86 Points
Drank alongside the 2011. We prefer the '11 vintage. This '10 has more jammy fruit and not as clean, it is somewhat muddled. The spices are more subdued than the '11.
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5/2/2015 - ajm2573 wrote: 93 Points
Smooth tannins, silky and fruity
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4/14/2015 - joet626 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nice and lush with plenty of ripe dark fruit. Blackberries here?
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11/19/2014 - Bob in NC Likes this wine: 86 Points
While we enjoyed this wine, 2010 continues to be our least favorite vintage for many Loring wines, including this one. Like some of the 2010 this wine is somewhat harsher, disjointed then other vintages. That said, we stilled enjoyed the layers of fruit and spice flavors. Not sure if more time will improve this wine, but we have one move bottle, so we will find out.
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8/30/2014 - skinut Likes this wine: 90 Points
Typical Loring (full) mouthfeel, somewhat reticent nose (partly because someone put it in the icebucket with all the white wines at a party. After it warmed a bit the cherry notes began to flex their muscles. A bit more pronounced oak notes than most Lorings. Not overly done, just distinctly evident - probably should have let it age some more. My last one.
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6/22/2014 - joet626 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Graet nose on this. Nice fruit--very tasty.
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5/18/2014 - Bellissimo wrote:
Consumed over 2 evenings. Cranberry / raspberry, a little cola but in balance. Continue to like the appelation wines as much or more than the SVDs because they seem to be a little more reserved.
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9/5/2013 - swillpower wrote:
Decidedly rich, ripe style, but does that style right. Loads of black cherry, cola, spice. Flat-out delicious. Not a particularly intellectual wine, but impressive for its strength and bold strokes.
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9/4/2013 - dontime wrote:
Last bottle. Again, value packed Loring style PN. Cranberry, cola, heat - present and accounted for. If scoring 89-91.
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9/4/2013 - missionpk wrote:
Honest. SRH + Loring. Full and ripe, but with the classic Loring acidity and heat to back it up. I think SRH can produce lighter and more elegant wines, but I'm glad Loring is pushing the edge on this style. It is something CA does well and why not celebrate it?
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7/12/2013 - dontime wrote:
See previous notes. Still value packed at this price point. Drank over two days (which doesn't usually happen) and it gained depth and character overnight. If scoring 90-92.
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6/7/2013 - Central Coast Wino Likes this wine: 92 Points
I don't know what happened in the months since I last tasted this wine, but whatever happened was a wonderful thing. This wine is lush with fruit, but elegant and well balanced at the same time. A real pleasure to drink .....
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4/1/2013 - Coupe 60 Likes this wine:
Mrs. Coupe popped a bottle at the end of the night on Easter. I did not get a chance to try that night, but was able to have a glass the each of the next two nights. Wine held up really well, even on 3rd night wine held its classic Loring profile. Rich lush red fruit and vanilla. Big assed wine, with rich flavor. I usually enjoy my Loring's most on first night (heck usually enjoy them so much that there is no second night), so no rating. But really enjoyed. Noted Pinot hater Mrs. Coupe also enjoyed
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3/7/2013 - WinePT wrote: 90 Points
Delicious Pinot. Full of black and red fruit with some spice and Happy birthday to Brian!
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2/16/2013 - dontime wrote:
Brian does a wonderful job bringing quality PN in this price point. Twist and pour, light red fruit, a bit of spice, fully integrated with a nice finish. If scoring 89-91.
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1/31/2013 - ssimpsonjr wrote:
Very similar to notes from a year ago. Light red fruit dominates, less syrupy mouthfeel than the 2009 RRV that I finished before this. Any heat on the finish that was around a year ago has mellowed as well.
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11/29/2012 - brianngibson wrote: 88 Points
Another excellent Loring offering. Cherry, baking spice and good acidity.
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11/16/2012 - mmcdds wrote: 88 Points
Sea Smoke and Loring: Another big, forward Cali PN. The dark red fruit here was certainly more forward than the Sea Smoke with a similar flavor profile. The sassafras component was more dominant here but over all this was abit lacking in depth and complexity. Enjoyable, none the less.
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11/13/2012 - dontime wrote:
Just tastes good. Bright red fruit, not over the top, just right. Some spice to keep it interesting. Heat in check, good acidity, and did I mention it just tastes good? If scoring 89-91.
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10/25/2012 - nav2u wrote: 90 Points
Delicious.
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10/3/2012 - nav2u wrote: 90 Points
Very nice fruit. Well-tempered tannins. Easy to drink and enjoy now.
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5/29/2012 - Bellissimo wrote:
Twisted and poured. Served with a favorite TV show. Dark fruit compote, round raspberry, nice lushness to it without feeling hot or over-ripe.
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4/18/2012 - rmh66 wrote: 88 Points
Initially hot and a bit disjointed, but left on the counter for 5 hours and the heat dissipated somewhat. Plum, earth, raspberry, flowers, and herbs on the nose. Plum, cherry, spice, and some heat on the palate. There's a nice roundness on the palate. Good acidity. My second favorite of the three AVA wines. Nice wine for the price if you can get past the heat.
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3/7/2012 - missionpk wrote: 89 Points
Drank a bit earlier than I planned, as I needed a screw top. :-) A fun fun wine that does make me think well of the Santa Rita Hills. Definitely a fruit forward wine, but not too over the top. Not really that much oak for the fruit, so tastes very good young. A good party wine.
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2/14/2012 - BrunelloBob wrote: 91 Points
I thought we might be too early on this bottle; not so. This is a bit softer/smoother than a lot of Loring's stuff this young. Red fruit: Cherry, raspberry, strawberry. You'll sense the heat if you aren't expecting it. Still, really nice stuff. One to drink young
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2/3/2012 - ssimpsonjr wrote:
Pale ruby in the glass. Lots of sweet red fruit aromas. Straightforward clean fruit. Just a little bit of heat through the mid-palate and to the finish.
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1/13/2012 - jtonglet wrote: 90 Points
Peppers, spice and a bit of heat. But damn good paired with the roasted pine nut hummus I just had with it.
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12/28/2011 - Central Coast Wino wrote: 90 Points
Loads of fruit. Not as structured as the single vineyards, but exquisitely balanced. 90+
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12/25/2011 - alex.lewis Likes this wine: 91 Points
Big, juicy flavors. Raspberry liquor, reduced balsamic, mushrooms and... and... brown sugar?
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12/22/2011 - jtonglet wrote: 90 Points
A bit more heat than expected. Peppers and spice. Very good all the same. Paired with Asian sweet and spicy chicken.
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12/15/2011 - air guitar & pinot noir wrote: 90 Points
Probably my favorite of the three 2010 AVA wines. Nice aromatics with smooth fresh fruit on the palate. Round and not overly complex but the quality of the fruit and Brian's winemaking abilities shine through. I was a bit concerned that this would lack some of the body of the single vineyards but it has a wonderful mouthfeel and I was not guilty enjoying these immediately. Dark blackberry and some blueberry notes.
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