WTN: 2008 Loring Pinot Noir, Shea VY

[Jenise]

Needed to open a sipper for drop-in pinot drinkers yesterday afternoon, so chose this Loring which I've not tasted before. Initially, on the darker side of pinot with black plum fruit and a kirsch-y liqueur finish that had me reaching for the bottle to check the alcohol: yup, 14.7%. With time in the glass, though, it picked up more interest on the front end and softened on the tail, acquiring some raspberry and mushroom notes plus a welcome hint of minerality. Not my favorite Loring, but certainly an interesting wine from the canon.

Hi Jenise,

Thank you for this tasting note. I have this wine in my cellar and your note will help me decide when to drink this wine. I have a difficult time telling the aging potential of pinots, although in general I think Loring wines are not long agers. What is your take on this wine's aging potential? Drink soon, or do you think it will mellow a bit with 2-3 additional years of cellar time?

[Jenise]

Hi Jenise,

Thank you for this tasting note. I have this wine in my cellar and your note will help me decide when to drink this wine. I have a difficult time telling the aging potential of pinots, although in general I think Loring wines are not long agers. What is your take on this wine's aging potential? Drink soon, or do you think it will mellow a bit with 2-3 additional years of cellar time?

Brian Loring and I used to be in a tasting group together, so I got to know his tastes pretty well. He actually came to his adoration of California pinot from an initial attraction to Burgundy wherein he craved more fruit and more intensity. He truly makes exactly what he loves, and he loves primary fruit. He considered three years out "peak" and five years more or less the lifespan. In spite of that, I have not suffered for holding them long and in fact one of his Garys' Vineyards was my all time favorite Loring ever at age six. So my experience is, no rush (they do not shut down) but don't push it. Which isn't hard, as they're so darned attractive.

[David M. Bueker]

I'm still working on my 2005 Lorings, and they are still showing well.

I agree on holding on to Loring Pinots for a bit. While they are on the rich side when you drink them young, they are, for my taste, much better 5 or 6 years out from vintage. Much more nunanced and balanced. OTOH, if you like juicy Pinot, and there is a time for them (think BBQ), these are great young. It is icing on the cake that Brian and his sister are such terrifc people too.

I agree on holding on to Loring Pinots for a bit. While they are on the rich side when you drink them young, they are, for my taste, much better 5 or 6 years out from vintage. Much more nunanced and balanced. OTOH, if you like juicy Pinot, and there is a time for them (think BBQ), these are great young. It is icing on the cake that Brian and his sister are such terrifc people too.

Hi James,

Yes, I like Brian a lot too. I met him at MoCool back in 2003 when he was just emerging as one of CA next great young winemakers. He came back for California dreaming and we got to know him even better. He brought his samples of his new wines in milk bottles that were filled from barrels. I have also visited his winery and enjoyed a tasting there, even though he was gone on business at the time.

In the past I have opened most of my LWC bottles at four years after vintage but I got behind and may still have some from 2005 on hand. Will try to get to them this year.