The color of cranberries on the rim shading to ruby at the core. Cranberries dominate the nose, but abundant black cherries, cinnamon, cola, vanilla, and a touch of smoke all take a place at the table in this well-crafted, solid Pinot. The lengthy finish wraps a satisfying bow on this package. 14.8% alc. and not a whiff of heat. With grilled ancho and cocoa dusted bone-in pork chops. 03.18.23. Recommended.
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Wow just so good....so harmonious....menthol , cola, nice acids, kiwi, strawberries, rhubarb....lots of sediment. Could last a few more years but it’s in a great place .
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The nose is more complex than the recent Cargasacchi with an interplay of cola, vanilla, black cherry and teaberry. But the wine fails to deliver on the palate. It’s quite linear and very sweet. No doubt the fruit is exuberant. It could be the pairing is simply too mis-matched to allow a proper showing of the wine. The wine definitely fights with the bourguignonne. Some slight sediment. 14.8% alc. With beef bourguignonne. No Recommendation at this point.
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Medium garnet. Full of flint, soil, berry seeds, sulphuric. Explosive taste, like granite berry skins, eucalyptus, graphite. Extremely bright. A bit chewy, this isn't weak Pinot.
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Quite delicious and exactly what was anticipated. Loads of dark cherry and red cherry fruit. Nice sweet fruit but also some zippy acidity, mellow tannins. Feels like this is in a really good place. Almost starting to dry out. Some dry herbal notes on the finish along with the sweet raspberry and cherry notes. There is a little heat on the nose, but otherwise this is really well balanced with a long finish. Excellent!
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In the sweet spot now. Fully integrated cherry, berry, spice, tea and earthy flavors. 1-hour decant was rewarded with ample aromatics, a luxurious mouthfeel and long finish. Just a little browning at the edge like a "Touch of Gray".
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Much different than 2 1/2 years ago. Much earthier - damp earth, mushroom, truffle. Darker, spicier, oakier, harsher. On day 2 and 3, the harshness is gone, and it's even funkier. Cola, prune, some Syrah-like bacon and tar notes. I enjoyed it after the first day, but I can't believe it has evolved this much. I can't imagine it lasting very much longer....
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Might have been the best bottle yet, really hitting its stride after 5 years. Supple cherryfruit, mineral, a bit of earthiness and a silky medium length finish, that is just a bit high in acidity.
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Ok, something must have been wrong with the bottle we consumed on 11/20/14. This bottle was amazing. Vibrant, full of bright fruit, a bit of earthiness, lots of structure, smooth finish. Wow!
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Big and bold, not quite over-extracted, but I could see it from here. Ripe black cherry fruit and some black berries. Some earthiness and a few tannins to give it a solid finish.
5/30/2015 Similar observations as last time, but didn't appreciate the ripeness quite as much. Overwhelmed our risotto.
8/4/2016 Thought it was jammy and prune-y this time. It's a fine line...
7/8/2016 Played to its strengths this time and paired it with chile verde. All the fruit played well with the acidity of the tomatillos.
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Agree with earlier reviews that it is not the typical in your face explosion of fruit. It's strength is in the berry flavors and smooth finish. It is the perfect turkey day wine!
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A very nice pinot, but in the year and a half since my last bottle it seems to have lost some of its boldness. Honestly, I think more of the pinot-drinking population would like it in its current state, as it's very refined and well-integrated and less in-your-face.
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Decanted for an hour. Velvety tannins and forward earthy elements to match the dark fruit. Of depth and valor, she does not hold back, and yet everything is in its proper place. A full-figured Pinot with so many different things to say. Drink now - 2017.
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New World Blind Tasting Group $25+ (Bin 75): See through dark crimson core with pale rim, duller color makes this look aged; aged almost tertiary stage on the nose, rotting floral notes, rose, cranberry, sour cherry, some funk; sweet sappy, lots of residual sugar, dark cherry, floral, cranberry, tea like; thought Pinot but the sappy and slight bitter note made me think it could be New World Grenache; overall I was not a fan.
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Super alcohol nose (14.8%) but fortunately it doesn't come through in the taste. A typical ripe, Central Coast Pinot style but highly extracted yet smooth and very enjoyable. This wine won't disappoint if you like this style which I do.
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Deep ruby color with black cherry, pepper, damp earth and cedarwood aromas. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, well-structured and smooth. Definitely fruit forward, but offset by medium+ acidity. It shows intense black cherry, plum flavors. Long finish.
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Just wonderful. A big Pinot, though not as big as prior vintages. Nonetheless, strawberry, raspberry, and other red fruit on the nose and palate. Well balanced, medium body.
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Popped and poured, was singing right out of the gate, with red and black fruits, forest floor, and a very soft spice component. Best Loring I've had in a while.
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Twisted and poured. Nose of pine and herbs, notably thyme. Pine layered with boysenberry and herbs but young. A couple of hours later, the edges are off and more fruit is apparent, especially plum and boysenberry, but the pine is still there. It's more complex than many pinots. It's still young but tasty.
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Twisted and poured. Tons of red fruit aromas. Strawberries and raspberries dominate the palate. Intense flavors but a lightness of body. Definitely feel some heat on the finish.
Second day ... very similar to day one, though the heat seems to have lessened on the finish.
I have three more of these, and will try them over next two years or so.
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A very light, fruity Pinot. My first LWC drink. Red berry and mint nose, with some vanilla later as it opens up some. Same on the palate, along with some earthiness. Light finish, but it gets fuller with air time. While this is lighter and fruitier than I would generally prefer, I really grew to like this, especially the second night. I just want to keep filling the glass.
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This wine is as close to my Foxen Julias as you can get. Same wonderful extraction, glycerin & vanilla tones in a perfectly balanced Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir with the spice, earth & mineral tones I love. I will search out this wine to add more to my cellar. This is a great Pinot Noir from Santa Rita Hills.
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Opened up with time. Blackfruit and plum with a slight cotton candy coating. Some earth and herb are present at times on the midpalate. A bit of heat at times on the back end.
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Med body, red fruit and mint with a bit of structure though still very much of LWC's house style. If it was toned back a bit I might think ti was true sonoma coast, but it's still big and a bit extracted. More luscious than the usual Clos Pepe Estate offerings (even their 2010). Still a very nice wine that is interesting to compare with the very different style of other Clos Pepe offerings. LWC doesn't suit my style for wines I like to drink regularly, but always a pleasant change of pace.
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Right out the gate eucalyptus and, interestingly, spearmint nose then clean cherry undertones. Very luscious Berry flavor, spicy, soft mouthfeel. Little tart on the finish. Too early for this, needs to integrate more..pretty forward Pinot...probably should have decanted for more than 30 minutes...I'm impatient....
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3/18/2023 - timewithwine Likes this wine:
The color of cranberries on the rim shading to ruby at the core. Cranberries dominate the nose, but abundant black cherries, cinnamon, cola, vanilla, and a touch of smoke all take a place at the table in this well-crafted, solid Pinot. The lengthy finish wraps a satisfying bow on this package. 14.8% alc. and not a whiff of heat. With grilled ancho and cocoa dusted bone-in pork chops. 03.18.23. Recommended.
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7/12/2021 - DesMarteau wrote: 95 Points
Consistent with other note....maybe a little better. Wish I had more of these. Key with Loring....let them age...
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6/10/2019 - DesMarteau wrote: 94 Points
Wow just so good....so harmonious....menthol , cola, nice acids, kiwi, strawberries, rhubarb....lots of sediment. Could last a few more years but it’s in a great place .
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3/10/2019 - timewithwine wrote:
The nose is more complex than the recent Cargasacchi with an interplay of cola, vanilla, black cherry and teaberry. But the wine fails to deliver on the palate. It’s quite linear and very sweet. No doubt the fruit is exuberant. It could be the pairing is simply too mis-matched to allow a proper showing of the wine. The wine definitely fights with the bourguignonne. Some slight sediment. 14.8% alc. With beef bourguignonne. No Recommendation at this point.
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3/27/2017 - JasonG Likes this wine: 92 Points
Medium garnet. Full of flint, soil, berry seeds, sulphuric. Explosive taste, like granite berry skins, eucalyptus, graphite. Extremely bright. A bit chewy, this isn't weak Pinot.
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11/22/2015 - Krakajack wrote: 90 Points
Delicious cranberry nose with hints of dark chocolate. Perfect finish smooth as silk. Complemented chicken and bacon dish
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9/12/2015 - mk42 wrote: 92 Points
Dark fruits are awesome. Mineral edge provides structure. Deep, dark fruits. Bright acids are food friendly. Long finish.
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8/19/2015 - thebonnydooner wrote: 91 Points
Quite delicious and exactly what was anticipated. Loads of dark cherry and red cherry fruit. Nice sweet fruit but also some zippy acidity, mellow tannins. Feels like this is in a really good place. Almost starting to dry out. Some dry herbal notes on the finish along with the sweet raspberry and cherry notes. There is a little heat on the nose, but otherwise this is really well balanced with a long finish. Excellent!
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7/18/2015 - mk42 wrote: 92 Points
Minerals with lots of cherry fruit. Long finish. High acidity likes food.
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6/27/2015 - StraightnoChaser Likes this wine: 94 Points
In the sweet spot now. Fully integrated cherry, berry, spice, tea and earthy flavors. 1-hour decant was rewarded with ample aromatics, a luxurious mouthfeel and long finish. Just a little browning at the edge like a "Touch of Gray".
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5/6/2015 - budh wrote:
Much different than 2 1/2 years ago. Much earthier - damp earth, mushroom, truffle. Darker, spicier, oakier, harsher. On day 2 and 3, the harshness is gone, and it's even funkier. Cola, prune, some Syrah-like bacon and tar notes. I enjoyed it after the first day, but I can't believe it has evolved this much. I can't imagine it lasting very much longer....
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4/5/2015 - brianngibson wrote: 91 Points
Might have been the best bottle yet, really hitting its stride after 5 years. Supple cherryfruit, mineral, a bit of earthiness and a silky medium length finish, that is just a bit high in acidity.
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1/24/2015 - Central Coast Wino wrote: 94 Points
Ok, something must have been wrong with the bottle we consumed on 11/20/14. This bottle was amazing. Vibrant, full of bright fruit, a bit of earthiness, lots of structure, smooth finish. Wow!
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1/6/2015 - underwds wrote: 92 Points
Big and bold, not quite over-extracted, but I could see it from here. Ripe black cherry fruit and some black berries. Some earthiness and a few tannins to give it a solid finish.
5/30/2015 Similar observations as last time, but didn't appreciate the ripeness quite as much. Overwhelmed our risotto.
8/4/2016 Thought it was jammy and prune-y this time. It's a fine line...
7/8/2016 Played to its strengths this time and paired it with chile verde. All the fruit played well with the acidity of the tomatillos.
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11/27/2014 - macavity Likes this wine: 91 Points
Agree with earlier reviews that it is not the typical in your face explosion of fruit. It's strength is in the berry flavors and smooth finish. It is the perfect turkey day wine!
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11/20/2014 - Central Coast Wino Likes this wine: 90 Points
A very nice pinot, but in the year and a half since my last bottle it seems to have lost some of its boldness. Honestly, I think more of the pinot-drinking population would like it in its current state, as it's very refined and well-integrated and less in-your-face.
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7/30/2014 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for an hour. Velvety tannins and forward earthy elements to match the dark fruit. Of depth and valor, she does not hold back, and yet everything is in its proper place. A full-figured Pinot with so many different things to say. Drink now - 2017.
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7/12/2014 - Rezy13 wrote:
New World Blind Tasting Group $25+ (Bin 75): See through dark crimson core with pale rim, duller color makes this look aged; aged almost tertiary stage on the nose, rotting floral notes, rose, cranberry, sour cherry, some funk; sweet sappy, lots of residual sugar, dark cherry, floral, cranberry, tea like; thought Pinot but the sappy and slight bitter note made me think it could be New World Grenache; overall I was not a fan.
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7/1/2014 - TashNYC wrote: 91 Points
Initially delicious red fruits, opening to include herbs, earth and cedar. Needs time but tasty now
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2/21/2014 - WineGuyDelMar Likes this wine: 91 Points
Super alcohol nose (14.8%) but fortunately it doesn't come through in the taste. A typical ripe, Central Coast Pinot style but highly extracted yet smooth and very enjoyable. This wine won't disappoint if you like this style which I do.
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11/28/2013 - Martin Redmond Likes this wine: 91 Points
Deep ruby color with black cherry, pepper, damp earth and cedarwood aromas. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, well-structured and smooth. Definitely fruit forward, but offset by medium+ acidity. It shows intense black cherry, plum flavors. Long finish.
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9/27/2013 - Sour Grapes wrote: 79 Points
Loved the 08 did not care for the 10. The 10 lost the minerality and integration of the 08.
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8/22/2013 - Uglypinga Likes this wine:
A few days after the last bottle. No variation here :)
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8/13/2013 - Uglypinga wrote:
Typical profile of big black cherries. Still tightly wound but the usual oak and creaminess are there. Yum wines for chillier nights
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5/10/2013 - Central Coast Wino Likes this wine: 92 Points
Just wonderful. A big Pinot, though not as big as prior vintages. Nonetheless, strawberry, raspberry, and other red fruit on the nose and palate. Well balanced, medium body.
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5/7/2013 - Scott Butler Likes this wine:
Popped and poured, was singing right out of the gate, with red and black fruits, forest floor, and a very soft spice component. Best Loring I've had in a while.
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4/23/2013 - Frackit wrote: 84 Points
A little light but rather tasty
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1/20/2013 - Sakswine Likes this wine: 89 Points
Twisted and poured. Nose of pine and herbs, notably thyme. Pine layered with boysenberry and herbs but young. A couple of hours later, the edges are off and more fruit is apparent, especially plum and boysenberry, but the pine is still there. It's more complex than many pinots. It's still young but tasty.
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1/12/2013 - ssimpsonjr wrote: 91 Points
Twisted and poured. Tons of red fruit aromas. Strawberries and raspberries dominate the palate. Intense flavors but a lightness of body. Definitely feel some heat on the finish.
Second day ... very similar to day one, though the heat seems to have lessened on the finish.
I have three more of these, and will try them over next two years or so.
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12/10/2012 - budh wrote: 92 Points
A very light, fruity Pinot. My first LWC drink. Red berry and mint nose, with some vanilla later as it opens up some. Same on the palate, along with some earthiness. Light finish, but it gets fuller with air time. While this is lighter and fruitier than I would generally prefer, I really grew to like this, especially the second night. I just want to keep filling the glass.
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10/13/2012 - Sour Grapes wrote: 84 Points
Not my favorite Loring vintage for Clos Pepe but still a solid effort.
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9/7/2012 - WineGuyDelMar Likes this wine: 94 Points
This wine is as close to my Foxen Julias as you can get. Same wonderful extraction, glycerin & vanilla tones in a perfectly balanced Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir with the spice, earth & mineral tones I love. I will search out this wine to add more to my cellar. This is a great Pinot Noir from Santa Rita Hills.
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7/15/2012 - brianngibson wrote: 90 Points
Mineral, cloves, and cherry.
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7/13/2012 - WinePT wrote: 90 Points
Opened up with time. Blackfruit and plum with a slight cotton candy coating. Some earth and herb are present at times on the midpalate. A bit of heat at times on the back end.
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6/17/2012 - yossarian.livez wrote: 86 Points
Med body, red fruit and mint with a bit of structure though still very much of LWC's house style. If it was toned back a bit I might think ti was true sonoma coast, but it's still big and a bit extracted. More luscious than the usual Clos Pepe Estate offerings (even their 2010). Still a very nice wine that is interesting to compare with the very different style of other Clos Pepe offerings. LWC doesn't suit my style for wines I like to drink regularly, but always a pleasant change of pace.
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3/21/2012 - NTR wrote: 92 Points
Right out the gate eucalyptus and, interestingly, spearmint nose then clean cherry undertones. Very luscious Berry flavor, spicy, soft mouthfeel. Little tart on the finish. Too early for this, needs to integrate more..pretty forward Pinot...probably should have decanted for more than 30 minutes...I'm impatient....
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