Dark red, translucent. Some nice cherry, blackberry aromas. Nice black cherry fruit on the palate, bit one dimensional at this point in its life. Fine tannins, nice acidity, decent balance. Finishes long but harsh with dark fruits. Past prime but still drinkable. Loved these in their youth.
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A fading flower you might think, but there's some life in this old girl yet. Dark ruby with slow legs, boysenberry and forest floor on the nose, some caramel, cardamom and oak on the palate, juicy, with fine tannins, on a medium finish. 15.2% abv covered. It would seem to be time drink this baby up, after twelve years, but I think she will hold for a while. Thank you, Loring of Lompoc!
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At 12 years old, I was expecting this Pinot to be rounded, fruit forward, and richly textured. But no, it remains resolutely highly acidic, chewy tannic, and medium dark red colored. Overall, a tribute to the high quality of the Clos Pepe Vineyard, and an excellent Bordeaux lover's Pinot Noir, needing more years of storage to reach its quality peak. Post Script: Having kept this wine open for an additional 9 days, I am thrilled to report that this Clos Pepe Pinot finally achieved a rich and lush texture after being opened for 12 days, that also was also the best wine with a 3 layered Lasagna. Moral: If the Clos Pepe Pinot you open at 12 years is not a top wine, wait longer to open another bottle.
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Brian's Clos Pepe Pinots were Pat's favorite. This one is still a nice bottle although definitely showing its age. A deep candied cherry nose. The fruit has darkened on the palate from what I recall of the Clos Pepe in its youth. Black cherries, currants, anise. A little of the tell tale brown sugar element is starting to manifest. Nice balance among the tannins, acid and fruit. Finishes moderately long with dark fruits and a slight sour note. The 15.2% ABV is not noticeable until the very end of the finish. Nice enough now, but I'd drink these up.
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We decided to have a pair off between this and the 2007 Clos Pepe. The results were interesting. The woman preferred the ‘08. I preferred the ‘07. The ‘07 is brighter, longer, bigger. The ‘08 was softer, rounder, more fruit forward. But the ‘08 lacked the depth and completeness of the ‘07. Both have loads of “Loring Red”. Both have cherry and cola and cinnamon. The ‘08 leads with cranberry and cloves while the ‘07 tucks in with allspice. Both have fully integrated tannins, but the ‘07 is more balanced, more complete, bigger, longer finish and more polished. And yes, the ‘08 is a touch too acidic. 15.2% alc. With pasta and mushrooms. Recommended, but drink now.
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No mistaking the “Loring Red” in the glass. Abundant cherry, cranberry, cola, cinnamon and cloves from attack to finish. Fully integrated tannins. Balanced and very much in a goos spot just now. Is this the same wine I drank 9 months ago and proclaimed too acidit and “Recommended with Reservations”? It hardly seems so. This was a delight to drink. In fact, it was one of the better Clos Pepes I’ve had. 15.2% alc. With salmon under a mustard sauce and black olive tapnade. Recommended, but drink now.
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Color: “Loring Red” Nose: Cherry, cranberry, cola, cinnamon and clove. But the wine also smells acidic. Palate: The flavors track the nose with precision, particularly when it comes to “acidic.” This wine if hung on a frame of acidity, not tannins. What tannins exist are light, fully resolved and very soft. The mid-palate carries a spicy aspect, but the finish is a shadow of the attack, thin and nebulous; indistinct and undefined; ... weak. And the acid; it comes through on the finish in spades. 15.2% alc. With the NASCAR race between Truex, Harvick, Kyle Busch and Kesolowski with Truex winning in suburb form, and then some cheeses and black olives and leftovers the next day 11.19 & 20.17. Recommended, but leaning toward Recommended with Reservations.
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The Clos Pepe Vineyard makes some of the finest Pinot Noirs in California, whose wines are famous for being darkly colored, concentrated, and unusually high in tannin, all of which figure strongly in the excellent version made by Loring. The 15.2% alcohol is unusually high, but remains well hidden in the taste. The nose is generous and inviting, with strong black cherry and blackberry. The sip shows well integrated fruit, acid, and tannin, and adds black raspbery fruit, all which flow out together in a very long and delicious finish. A wine that drinks well young and improves for at least a decade.
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Consistent with prior review - Dark ruby color with cherry, plum, cola and spice aromas. On the palate, it's intense, fresh, medium-full bodied, and silky smooth with cherry, cola, and spice flavors. Long finish.
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Plenty of raspberry, wild berry, and plum fruit. As it works its way across the palate it transitions to nice smokiness and earthiness tones, with light tannins on the finish. Good ruby color and mouth feel. Should decanter this next time and see if it develops more complexity. Even if not, it's drinking quite well as a pop-and-pour.
10/27/2014. Not quite as much of a fan this time. A little thin in the mouth, and the smoke was a little more than I cared for. Still, good fruit and earrthiness.
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- Brick color - Zin-like nose upon opening. Nice nose that blends California and Burgundy with some air. Cinnamon, cola, and dark fruits on the palate. Medium-long finish. A nice wine that reminds me of why I used to buy lots of Brian's wines. Maybe I need to start buying again.
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This was still harsh (tannins/acids), and went OK with sauteed salmon. This might need sterner food (braised beef or lamb?), or more time in the cellar - but you have to be good with leaving a pinot under screwcap for more than the 5 years this already has.
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Dark ruby color with cherry, plum, cola and spice aromas. On the palate, it's intense, fresh, medium-full bodied, and silky smooth with cherry, cola, and spice flavors. Long finish.
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Brought to a restaurant. Blackberry, dark cherries, spice, oak, all still nicely balanced with great acids up front. Didn't get a sense of big alcohol, just a lot of California sunshine. Very nice.
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15.2% alcohol. There just is no reason to wait on this wine. A great, smoking bottle of Pinot with its blackberry and black cherry fruit. Great purity on the sappy palate, with full-throttle fruit. This is Loring at its best. A-/A
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15.2% alcohol. It really is hard to keep your hands off this wine. It's just so in-your-face and endearing. An aggressive and delicious bouquet of blackberry and black cherry, with minerals following behind. In the mouth, pure and delicious, with a hedonistic expression of blackberry and black cherry fruit, earthy notes, and strong acidity. Long finish. A-/A
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Probably my favorite Pinot form Brian that I have had. Nice cherry, raspberry and floral notes on the palate, with a touch of white pepper on the finish.
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A nice ruby color in the center with considerable lightening at the rim. Cherries, raspberry, minerals, baking spices, and a touch of earthiness on the nose. Medium to full body with soft, ripe tannins and good acidity. Ripe and lush on the palate. Fairly long finish with the fruit and spices lingering nicely. This will never be confused as an old world wine, but man is it tasty. Brian does pinots in a style that appeals to me, a lot.
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Very balanced with a mineral component. The fruit was not over the top (not a fruit bomb). Flexible wine as you can either drink now or continue to age it. It would be great to try this in a year or two from now to see how the wine has evolved.
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Cherries and raisins on the nose with a whiff of alcohol. Dark fruits, cola, and a hint of spice on the palate. Just a touch of heat. This is drinking very nicely now. I'm enjoying it more than the 2007 which I just drank but didn't keep notes on.
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15.2% alcohol. It's hard to get over how beautifully this is drinking now. Dark red color. The wine jumps out of the glass with rich, slightly jammy blackberry and black cherry notes, along with earth and minerals. In the mouth, it's not flabby in the least, with a raciness about it that's compelling, as the fruit just unfolds across your palate. A strong kick of acidity leads to a long finish that manages the heat flawlessly. Just a delight to enjoy at this stage. A-/A
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Loring Winery Tasting (Loring tasting room): Tasted at the winery. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of boysenberry, plum, black berry and black cherry. Flavors of black cherries and black berries. Medium to bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full bodied. Drink now with some air time or continue to hold. 91-92.
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The nose offers up floral driven black cherry and berry fruits with a touch of spice. The wine has excellent intensity and structure on the palate, combined with nice purity of Pinot Noir fruit flavors. The 2008 Clos Pepe Pinot might be Wine Spectator 92 rated, but it is clearly delivering in the 93/94 point arena.
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15.2% alcohol. Early for this wine, but I've been inclined to give an early look to Brian's wines lately because I feel I've been neglecting them. This is terrific. Youthful and in need of another year in the bottle, but this is a delicious, blackberry-laden, slightly jammy, unapologetically ripe and drinkable Pinot. Solid spice and minerality and acidity leads to a strong finish showing no signs of heat. A-
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A very pleasant wine that paired well with a pork tenderloin and a chou fleur au gratin. The nose was black cherry and marzipan - gentle hints of almonds and citrus. Charming on the palate with a hint of clove. Clean. Lovely.
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There is actually an interesting story that goes with this bottle. I picked this up during Falltacular about a month ago. The seal on the screwcap had been broken but no wine had been poured out. No problem, I thought, I'll just stick it my cellar and drink it within the week -- or so I thought. Fast forward to today, more than a month later. There the bottle sat, completely forgotten. Convinced that it would be oxidized I reached for it and poured some into a glass. No oxidation and still full of its ripe fruit character with sweet notes of black plum, black cherry, mocha and candied roasted pecans. Full and complete on the palate in a way that only California Pinot can be. Probably could have used more acidity as I detected some flat cola on the finish, but still quite enjoyable. Now, I'm not sure this bottle can be considered representative given the above, but I am rather impressed that it held up this long.
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9/1/2022 - Charlie C Likes this wine: 85 Points
Dark red, translucent. Some nice cherry, blackberry aromas. Nice black cherry fruit on the palate, bit one dimensional at this point in its life. Fine tannins, nice acidity, decent balance. Finishes long but harsh with dark fruits. Past prime but still drinkable. Loved these in their youth.
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1/17/2021 - mazik Likes this wine: 92 Points
Last bottle! Sorry that I don't have any more.
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11/2/2020 - mazik Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lovely as before.
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8/9/2020 - mazik Likes this wine: 92 Points
A fading flower you might think, but there's some life in this old girl yet. Dark ruby with slow legs, boysenberry and forest floor on the nose, some caramel, cardamom and oak on the palate, juicy, with fine tannins, on a medium finish. 15.2% abv covered. It would seem to be time drink this baby up, after twelve years, but I think she will hold for a while. Thank you, Loring of Lompoc!
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3/18/2020 - Kenny_G Likes this wine: 93 Points
At 12 years old, I was expecting this Pinot to be rounded, fruit forward, and richly textured. But no, it remains resolutely highly acidic, chewy tannic, and medium dark red colored. Overall, a tribute to the high quality of the Clos Pepe Vineyard, and an excellent Bordeaux lover's Pinot Noir, needing more years of storage to reach its quality peak.
Post Script: Having kept this wine open for an additional 9 days,
I am thrilled to report that this Clos Pepe Pinot finally achieved a rich and lush texture after being opened for 12 days, that also was also the best wine with a 3 layered Lasagna. Moral: If the Clos Pepe Pinot you open at 12 years is not a top wine, wait longer to open another bottle.
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11/14/2019 - Charlie C Likes this wine: 88 Points
Brian's Clos Pepe Pinots were Pat's favorite. This one is still a nice bottle although definitely showing its age. A deep candied cherry nose. The fruit has darkened on the palate from what I recall of the Clos Pepe in its youth. Black cherries, currants, anise. A little of the tell tale brown sugar element is starting to manifest. Nice balance among the tannins, acid and fruit. Finishes moderately long with dark fruits and a slight sour note. The 15.2% ABV is not noticeable until the very end of the finish. Nice enough now, but I'd drink these up.
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8/8/2019 - KEBaird Likes this wine: 90 Points
I was afraid I had waited too long to drink this one, but it was yummy. Cola and raspberries, nice finish. Great flavor.
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5/31/2018 - timewithwine wrote:
We decided to have a pair off between this and the 2007 Clos Pepe. The results were interesting. The woman preferred the ‘08. I preferred the ‘07. The ‘07 is brighter, longer, bigger. The ‘08 was softer, rounder, more fruit forward. But the ‘08 lacked the depth and completeness of the ‘07. Both have loads of “Loring Red”. Both have cherry and cola and cinnamon. The ‘08 leads with cranberry and cloves while the ‘07 tucks in with allspice. Both have fully integrated tannins, but the ‘07 is more balanced, more complete, bigger, longer finish and more polished. And yes, the ‘08 is a touch too acidic. 15.2% alc. With pasta and mushrooms. Recommended, but drink now.
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5/10/2018 - timewithwine wrote:
No mistaking the “Loring Red” in the glass. Abundant cherry, cranberry, cola, cinnamon and cloves from attack to finish. Fully integrated tannins. Balanced and very much in a goos spot just now. Is this the same wine I drank 9 months ago and proclaimed too acidit and “Recommended with Reservations”? It hardly seems so. This was a delight to drink. In fact, it was one of the better Clos Pepes I’ve had. 15.2% alc. With salmon under a mustard sauce and black olive tapnade. Recommended, but drink now.
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11/19/2017 - timewithwine wrote:
Color: “Loring Red”
Nose: Cherry, cranberry, cola, cinnamon and clove. But the wine also smells acidic.
Palate: The flavors track the nose with precision, particularly when it comes to “acidic.” This wine if hung on a frame of acidity, not tannins. What tannins exist are light, fully resolved and very soft. The mid-palate carries a spicy aspect, but the finish is a shadow of the attack, thin and nebulous; indistinct and undefined; ... weak. And the acid; it comes through on the finish in spades. 15.2% alc. With the NASCAR race between Truex, Harvick, Kyle Busch and Kesolowski with Truex winning in suburb form, and then some cheeses and black olives and leftovers the next day 11.19 & 20.17. Recommended, but leaning toward Recommended with Reservations.
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12/28/2016 - Mossrose wrote: 94 Points
The Clos Pepe Vineyard makes some of the finest Pinot Noirs in California, whose wines are famous for being darkly colored, concentrated, and unusually high in tannin, all of which figure strongly in the excellent version made by Loring. The 15.2% alcohol is unusually high, but remains well hidden in the taste. The nose is generous and inviting, with strong black cherry and blackberry. The sip shows well integrated fruit, acid, and tannin, and adds black raspbery fruit, all which flow out together in a very long and delicious finish. A wine that drinks well young and improves for at least a decade.
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2/23/2015 - Martin Redmond Likes this wine: 90 Points
Consistent with prior review - Dark ruby color with cherry, plum, cola and spice aromas. On the palate, it's intense, fresh, medium-full bodied, and silky smooth with cherry, cola, and spice flavors. Long finish.
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12/31/2013 - Burgessdpilot wrote: 91 Points
Short finish, but so full of fruit and a wonderful pepper at the front. No nose til it airs out/opens up.
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12/30/2013 - underwds wrote: 93 Points
Plenty of raspberry, wild berry, and plum fruit. As it works its way across the palate it transitions to nice smokiness and earthiness tones, with light tannins on the finish. Good ruby color and mouth feel. Should decanter this next time and see if it develops more complexity. Even if not, it's drinking quite well as a pop-and-pour.
10/27/2014. Not quite as much of a fan this time. A little thin in the mouth, and the smoke was a little more than I cared for. Still, good fruit and earrthiness.
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12/13/2013 - Bob in NC Likes this wine: 89 Points
Has nice cinnamon, smoothness and mouth coating weight, but a bit too fruity.
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11/3/2013 - kkleg wrote: 93 Points
- Brick color - Zin-like nose upon opening. Nice nose that blends California and Burgundy with some air. Cinnamon, cola, and dark fruits on the palate. Medium-long finish. A nice wine that reminds me of why I used to buy lots of Brian's wines. Maybe I need to start buying again.
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8/11/2013 - elise wrote: 90 Points
Started opening up after 2 hours
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5/10/2013 - Capybara562 wrote: 87 Points
This was still harsh (tannins/acids), and went OK with sauteed salmon. This might need sterner food (braised beef or lamb?), or more time in the cellar - but you have to be good with leaving a pinot under screwcap for more than the 5 years this already has.
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2/19/2013 - ecola Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tasted blond. Red cherry and cherry cola flavors. Medium body and moderate tannins. Nice intensity of flavor from start to finish.
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10/18/2012 - Martin Redmond Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark ruby color with cherry, plum, cola and spice aromas. On the palate, it's intense, fresh, medium-full bodied, and silky smooth with cherry, cola, and spice flavors. Long finish.
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9/22/2012 - jfkwines wrote: 91 Points
08s are perfect now IMHO
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5/1/2012 - jfkwines wrote: 91 Points
Pushing the envelope before becoming an aged Loring. These wines are flavorful and rich but the fruit has now given way to an integrated mouth.
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3/25/2012 - chefpete wrote: 92 Points
Loved it - Loring Pinot is a class of its own
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2/12/2012 - Bellissimo wrote:
Brought to a restaurant. Blackberry, dark cherries, spice, oak, all still nicely balanced with great acids up front. Didn't get a sense of big alcohol, just a lot of California sunshine. Very nice.
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10/1/2011 - gutt22 wrote:
15.2% alcohol. There just is no reason to wait on this wine. A great, smoking bottle of Pinot with its blackberry and black cherry fruit. Great purity on the sappy palate, with full-throttle fruit. This is Loring at its best. A-/A
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6/10/2011 - AWei wrote: 90 Points
Deep ruby red. Expressive nose. Alcohol is quite integrated even at this percentage. I'll let my remaining bottles sleep for a few more years.
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2/16/2011 - gutt22 wrote:
15.2% alcohol. It really is hard to keep your hands off this wine. It's just so in-your-face and endearing. An aggressive and delicious bouquet of blackberry and black cherry, with minerals following behind. In the mouth, pure and delicious, with a hedonistic expression of blackberry and black cherry fruit, earthy notes, and strong acidity. Long finish. A-/A
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2/14/2011 - Sour Grapes wrote: 92 Points
One of the better Ca Pinot Noir that I have had.
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2/2/2011 - chefpete wrote: 94 Points
Loved it, very complex
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1/3/2011 - brianngibson wrote: 93 Points
Probably my favorite Pinot form Brian that I have had. Nice cherry, raspberry and floral notes on the palate, with a touch of white pepper on the finish.
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12/26/2010 - cbbrown3 wrote: 93 Points
A nice ruby color in the center with considerable lightening at the rim. Cherries, raspberry, minerals, baking spices, and a touch of earthiness on the nose. Medium to full body with soft, ripe tannins and good acidity. Ripe and lush on the palate. Fairly long finish with the fruit and spices lingering nicely. This will never be confused as an old world wine, but man is it tasty. Brian does pinots in a style that appeals to me, a lot.
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12/10/2010 - Sour Grapes wrote: 92 Points
Very balanced with a mineral component. The fruit was not over the top (not a fruit bomb). Flexible wine as you can either drink now or continue to age it. It would be great to try this in a year or two from now to see how the wine has evolved.
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11/29/2010 - kkleg wrote: 92 Points
Cherries and raisins on the nose with a whiff of alcohol. Dark fruits, cola, and a hint of spice on the palate. Just a touch of heat. This is drinking very nicely now. I'm enjoying it more than the 2007 which I just drank but didn't keep notes on.
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11/2/2010 - gutt22 wrote:
15.2% alcohol. It's hard to get over how beautifully this is drinking now. Dark red color. The wine jumps out of the glass with rich, slightly jammy blackberry and black cherry notes, along with earth and minerals. In the mouth, it's not flabby in the least, with a raciness about it that's compelling, as the fruit just unfolds across your palate. A strong kick of acidity leads to a long finish that manages the heat flawlessly. Just a delight to enjoy at this stage. A-/A
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9/3/2010 - wineismylife wrote: 92 Points
Loring Winery Tasting (Loring tasting room): Tasted at the winery. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of boysenberry, plum, black berry and black cherry. Flavors of black cherries and black berries. Medium to bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full bodied. Drink now with some air time or continue to hold. 91-92.
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8/14/2010 - Bob in NC wrote: 92 Points
Excellent balanced nose and palate. We could keep our hands off of it and had to open a second Loring.
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7/31/2010 - HFA wrote: 93 Points
The nose offers up floral driven black cherry and berry fruits with a touch of spice. The wine has excellent intensity and structure on the palate, combined with nice purity of Pinot Noir fruit flavors. The 2008 Clos Pepe Pinot might be Wine Spectator 92 rated, but it is clearly delivering in the 93/94 point arena.
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6/16/2010 - Judithal wrote: 91 Points
fruity smooth
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6/15/2010 - Judithal wrote: 93 Points
smooth full bodied
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5/14/2010 - gutt22 wrote:
15.2% alcohol. Early for this wine, but I've been inclined to give an early look to Brian's wines lately because I feel I've been neglecting them. This is terrific. Youthful and in need of another year in the bottle, but this is a delicious, blackberry-laden, slightly jammy, unapologetically ripe and drinkable Pinot. Solid spice and minerality and acidity leads to a strong finish showing no signs of heat. A-
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5/1/2010 - bigdogflow wrote: 94 Points
Tremendous depth of flavor - cherry, rasberry, spice, cola. Super long finish. Tremendous!!!
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4/23/2010 - GG1 wrote: 91 Points
A very pleasant wine that paired well with a pork tenderloin and a chou fleur au gratin. The nose was black cherry and marzipan - gentle hints of almonds and citrus. Charming on the palate with a hint of clove. Clean. Lovely.
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2/25/2010 - Paul Lin wrote: 89 Points
There is actually an interesting story that goes with this bottle. I picked this up during Falltacular about a month ago. The seal on the screwcap had been broken but no wine had been poured out. No problem, I thought, I'll just stick it my cellar and drink it within the week -- or so I thought. Fast forward to today, more than a month later. There the bottle sat, completely forgotten. Convinced that it would be oxidized I reached for it and poured some into a glass. No oxidation and still full of its ripe fruit character with sweet notes of black plum, black cherry, mocha and candied roasted pecans. Full and complete on the palate in a way that only California Pinot can be. Probably could have used more acidity as I detected some flat cola on the finish, but still quite enjoyable. Now, I'm not sure this bottle can be considered representative given the above, but I am rather impressed that it held up this long.
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12/6/2009 - ARiverofPisoni wrote: 88 Points
Very well balanced, not a lot of acid or tannin, so likely a short drinking window.
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