| The Loring Wine Company is gaining national | | | | LWC's use of the screw cap which preserves the |
| recognition as an outstanding producer of critically | | | | fragrances of white pepper, raspberry and vanilla in |
| acclaimed Pinot Noirs. LWC, as it is less formally | | | | the Pinot's nose, as well as incorporating innovation |
| known among its dedicated followers, is located in | | | | into the higher end California wine market. The palate |
| Lompoc, California (Santa Barbara appellation). LWC's | | | | is dry, light bodied, with structure yet delivering light |
| excellent Pinots are produced from Pinot Noir grapes | | | | tannins. Flavors of deep strawberry, pepper and |
| sourced from vineyards located in both California and | | | | herbs are delivered. A long finish is to be expected. |
| Oregon. | | | | Rated 4 Stars: Drink now or hold. |
| Both Brian Loring and his sister Kimberly Loring run | | | | LWC 2007 Pinot Noir - Durrell Vineyard (Sonoma |
| the Loring Wine Company. "My sister and I are equal | | | | Coast). |
| partners in everything we do. We are | | | | LWC just keeps producing great Pinot Noir! A |
| co-winemakers, co-truck drivers, co-accountants, | | | | bouquet of strawberry, white pepper and spice |
| co-janitors, etc.," says Brian. Both of them are | | | | greets the nose of this wonderful red wine. The |
| passionate in their pursuit of producing terrific Pinot | | | | palate is dry, light bodied, and balanced with very |
| Noir. | | | | soft tannins. Flavors of strawberry, pepper and spice |
| The concept for the Loring Wine Company winery | | | | forecast a terrific finish. |
| began with Brian's self admitted obsession with Pinot | | | | Rated 4 Stars: Drink now or hold for additional |
| Noir beginning in 1997. He worked with Norm Beko of | | | | bottle aging. |
| Cottonwood Canyon winery during that year's crush. | | | | LWC 2007 Pinot Noir - Aubaine Vineyard (San Luis |
| "Norm gave me two barrels of Pinot Noir to play with | | | | Obispo). |
| after the crush," says Brian. With unabashed humor | | | | Aromas of plum, black pepper and vanilla announce |
| Brian admits, "I basically messed up the wine. My first | | | | this excellent Pinot Noir. The palate is dry, medium |
| wine became that year's Christmas presents for my | | | | bodied, with moderate tannins. Flavors of raspberry, |
| family and friends." Thirteen years later Brian is now | | | | white pepper and herbs de Provence assists in the |
| an accomplished wine maker and producer of some | | | | creation of a long finish. LWC keeps producing |
| of the nation's best Pinot Noir. | | | | outstanding Pinot Noirs. |
| I met Brian Loring in November, 2008 at the First | | | | Rated 4½ Stars: Drink now or hold. |
| Press Weekend of Wine event benefiting the Arizona | | | | LWC 2007 Pinot Noir - Russell Family Vineyard (Paso |
| Friends of Public Radio. I was there as the contracted | | | | Robles). |
| wine consultant and charity wine auctioneer, so I | | | | A bouquet of strawberries, pepper and subtle vanilla |
| made it a point to meet and greet every winemaker | | | | announces this fine Pinot. This wine's structured |
| attending the event. I didn't know what to expect | | | | palate is dry, young, medium bodied, with moderate |
| when I approached Brian's very well attended booth. | | | | tannins. Notes of black currant, herbs and leather are |
| Admittedly, my experience with LWC was only by | | | | pronounced. A moderately long finish is to be |
| reputation prior to meeting Brian. | | | | expected. |
| Brian Loring was affable, unassuming and even | | | | Rated 4 Stars: This wine is somewhat young and |
| modestly self deprecating. His web site ( reflects his | | | | requires some decanting. |
| generosity, as he offers tips to prospective wine | | | | LWC 2007 Pinot Noir - Gary's Vineyard (Santa Lucia |
| makers about wine making, the California winery | | | | Highlands). |
| licensing process, and also his personal Pinot Noir | | | | Cassis, berries, white pepper and subtle vanilla |
| recommendations from other fine Pinot producers. | | | | creates the memorable olfactory experience |
| After trying several samples of LWC Pinot Noir, I | | | | delivered by this Pinot. Moderate tannins, good |
| couldn't help but blurt out, "Your wines are incredible!" | | | | balance and a moderately long finish are experienced |
| Out of the two hundred wines I tried at the First | | | | in this young wine. Flavor notes of raspberry, herbs |
| Press Weekend of Wine event, LWC easily rose to | | | | and smoke are pronounced. |
| the top five percent of those wineries present at | | | | Rated 4 Stars: Cellar or drink now after decanting for |
| this charity wine event. | | | | an hour or two. |
| Some people proclaim that Loring Wine Company | | | | LWC 2007 Pinot Noir - Clos Pepe Vineyard (Santa |
| wines are made to be drunk now. While there is no | | | | Rita Hills). |
| doubt that these wines may be enjoyed now, it is | | | | Sensual notes of strawberry, white pepper, baked |
| my opinion that Brian has crafted LWC Pinots with | | | | plum and toasted oak make up the nose of this |
| significant structure and balance between the wine's | | | | Pinot. Strong tannins and structured balance create a |
| acidity and sugar to withstand significant aging. Much | | | | long finish (even 24 hours later) in this young wine. |
| like their French counterparts, LWC Pinot Noirs may | | | | Jammy flavors of berries, herbs and smoke are |
| be cellared for a decade or more with great success. | | | | pronounced. Drink after four hours of decanting. |
| Don't be fooled that a wine's immediate drinkability is | | | | Cellaring preferred. |
| a sign of inherent weakness where long term aging is | | | | Rated 5 Stars: This is a terrific wine in its infancy. |
| concerned. | | | | LWC 2007 Pinot Noir - Keefer Ranch Vineyard |
| The Loring Wine Company is currently selling their | | | | (Russian River Valley). |
| 2007 vintage release. LWC Pinot Noir may be | | | | Aromas of cherry pie, licorice, and vanilla greet the |
| purchased at local retailers or directly from the LWC | | | | nose. My psychic wine barometer already tells me |
| winery. | | | | this is going to be a good Pinot. Structured balance, |
| Below are my personal reviews of the following 2007 | | | | elegant tannins, and a long finish make it so. Dry, fruit |
| LWC Pinot Noir vineyard releases I have sampled. | | | | forward, flavors of cherry, raspberry and subtle |
| Everyone of these Pinot's has a bottle cost of $48 | | | | licorice scream wow! |
| dollars. | | | | Rated 5 Stars: Drink now. |
| LWC 2007 Pinot Noir - Cargasacchi Vineyard (Santa | | | | LWC 2007 Pinot Noir - Rosella's Vineyard (Santa Lucia |
| Rita Hills). | | | | Highlands). |
| A text book bouquet of cassis, berries and white | | | | A bouquet of cassis, subtle lavender and toasted oak |
| pepper announces this terrific Pinot Noir. The palate is | | | | announces the nose. Good balance, elegant tannins, |
| dry, with tight tannins, and this wine requires a little | | | | and a long indicate that this wine is ready for your |
| time to fully open up. Flavors of black currant, umami, | | | | enjoyment now. Dry flavors of cassis, herbs de |
| pepper and a great finish will tantalize the Pinophile | | | | Provence, and black pepper come to the forefront. |
| and connoisseur. | | | | Rated 4 Stars: Drink now or hold. |
| Rated 4½ Stars: Drink now or cellar. | | | | LWC 2007 Pinot Noir - Brosseau Vineyard (Chalone |
| LWC 2007 Pinot Noir - Rancho La Vina Vineyard | | | | AVA). |
| (Santa Rita Hills). | | | | Aromas of cassis, licorice and toasted oak make up |
| This Pinot Noir offers a tantalizing bouquet of | | | | the nose of this yummy Pinot Noir. Medium plus |
| raspberries, white pepper and herb. The palate is dry, | | | | acidity and sugar, and elegant tannins strike a great |
| light bodied, with moderate tannins. Flavors of | | | | balance and provide a long, very pleasurable finish. |
| raspberries, cranberry, and white pepper create a | | | | Dry flavors of cassis, white pepper and herbs |
| wonderfully long finish. No Pinot envy here in this little | | | | dominate. This wine is still fairly young and tight and I |
| gem. | | | | would recommend decanting for an hour or two for |
| Rated 4½ Stars: Drink now. | | | | optimum conditions. |
| LWC 2007 Pinot Noir - Shea Vineyard (Willamette | | | | Rated 4½ Stars: Drink now or cellar for additional |
| Valley). | | | | bottle aging. |
| Another terrific LWC Pinot Noir! I'm impressed with | | | | |