February 17, 2018 - No longer showing “Loring Red” at the rim; just a solid cranberry color from rim to core. Sour cherry, pomegranate, cloves, cola and vanilla. “Big” continues to be an apt discriptor what with its big nose and attack and its long finish. The tannins are fully integrated. Glycerol-like mouthfeel delivers a sense of the wine gliding across the palate. Well fruited, balanced, long finished; what’s not to lover here? Between this, the Clos Pepe and Cargasacchi, this takes the prize by just edging out the Clos Pepe. Both this and the Clos Pepe leave the Cargasacchi in the dust. 14.3% alc. 600 cases. With duck cassoulet and the Schreibers and Fords. Recommended.
March 16, 2017 - The color is plum at the core and “Loring Red” at the rim; bright and exuberant. The nose is molasses, black cherry, rosemary, cedar and mocha. This wine has shed so much of its initial profile and become something much better; much more complex. The wine is a touch shrill with acid, but it evens out on the mid-palate. The wine is exuberant and lively. 14.3% alc. With roasted bone-in pork chop under a balsamic cranberry sauce. 600 cases. Recommended.
January 12, 2017 - Pleasantly surprised with this wine. One of my last 2006 Lorings, this clearly showed some age, but it was very well integrated with the fruit. Some slight bricking, but otherwise a beautiful translucent burgundy color. Nice finish, and an otherwise lovely wine.
February 4, 2016 - The color is not at all opaque but what we now call “Loring Red” which is neither magenta, nor ruby nor burgundy, but a color with shades of all of these. The nose is all violets, dusty rose, cola and teaberry and something herbal. The blueberry scent of a bottle 3 years ago is nowhere to be detected. Like before, “the bouquet is integrated and inviting.” Something a tad earthy on the finish, maybe even green. Drink now. 14.3% alc. With roasted salmon under a mustard-panko crust. 600 cases. Recommended.
October 31, 2014 - Time to drink up.
January 8, 2014 - Last of these. Drinking well with grilled salmon.
July 18, 2013 - This wine has come along rather nicely. The broad rim is all claret-like, while the center core still suggests a dark blueberry; simply beautiful. The nose is all blueberry, plum and herbs. The scent of blueberry is only a note and not demanding of attention. The bouquet is integrated and inviting. If a wine can be said to smell smooth, then this is such a wine. On the palate this is .... smooth; so completely smooth and silky with flavors of black cherry, plum and herbs. This fruits carry to the finish, but are complimented with earth notes. Drink now. 14.3% alc. With broiled salmon. 600 cases. Recommended.
April 25, 2013 - Good solid performance for this bottle. Nice cherry with some earthiness. Good balance. the wine still has a bit of tannins and should go a few more years.
October 17, 2012 - 2nd time tasting this wine with consistent results. Ruby Red, dark/nearly opaque for a pinot. Complex and powerful pinot nose with cola, dark cherry, spice and a hint of sea mist. Nothing earthy. Mouth-filling silky texture, mouth-watering acidity with the sea water hint that adds a uniqueness, medium heavy weight, (Note the overwhelming cola taste from last night has diminished to a more balanced flavor), strong almost harsh tannins that persist on the finish. This well-made wine deserves more time in the cellar. Distinctive. Definitely Sonoma Coast.
September 16, 2012 - More structured than other Lorings. A nice quaff at age 6, mith plums, black cherry and pomegranate + spice and herbs to finish.