"My name is Brian Loring and my obsession is Pinot Noir. OK, I'm also pretty crazy about Champagne, but that's another story. While in college, I worked at a wine shop in Hollywood (Victor's), where one of the owners was a Burgundy fanatic. So, my very first experiences with Pinot Noir were from producers like Domaine Dujac, Henri Jayer, and DRC. Needless to say, I found subsequent tasting safaris into the domestic Pinot Noir jungle less than satisfying. It wasn't until I literally stumbled into Calera (I tripped over a case of their wine in the store room) that I found a California Pinot Noir that I could love. But it would be quite a while before I found someone else that lived up to the standard that Josh Jensen had established. I eventually came to understand and enjoy Pinots from Williams Selyem, Chalone, and Sanford, but I really got excited about California Pinot Noir when I met Norm Beko from Cottonwood Canyon at an Orange County Wine Society tasting.

2009 was an almost magical year in California. There was a short heat spike at the beginning of September that caused some winemakers to pull the trigger early, but our patience and willingness to wait paid off handsomely. After the heat wave, we had 6 weeks of the most perfect weather imaginable. We saw flavors develop with virtually no sugar movement. Seriously epic stuff.  For a while, it looked like the 2009 Oregon vintage might never happen, given how cold it was in spring and summer. But Mother Nature came through and brought the heat in September and October - while leaving the rain faucet turned off. Almost the polar opposite of the pattern in California, but virtually the same result. Definitely some of the best fruit we've ever gotten from Shea Vineyard.  The wines in barrel aren't quite as big as the 2008s, but they have an amazingly bright, focused, and precise feel to them. Super rich without being too heavy. Great texture and mouth feel. Dare I say the "iron fist in the velvet glove" ideal that I think all Pinot Producers secretly hope for. Super seductive and "brainy" at the same time :) These wines will be great right out of the gate, but will have the potential to age well for at least 6-8 years, and maybe more!" - Winemaker Notes

Loring Wine Company "Cargasacchi Vineyard" Pinot Noir 2009 Reviews

"Supple, elegant and generous with fleshy plum, black cherry and blueberry fruit that is delicate and full-bodied.  Retains its graceful balance, firming up on the persistent finish.  Drink now through 2017.  Only 175 cases produced." - 92, Wine Spectator