It feels odd having a release that doesn't have any wines from Sonoma. But as much as we miss those wines, this year's line-up is (in our most humble opinion) the strongest we've ever offered. The 2016s are big, bold, plush, and jam packed with extra yummy goodness. And with the perfect balance of acidity to keep them bright and fresh. I wish we could add sound to this description... because a loud dinner bell triangle clanging, followed by a hearty "Come and get 'em", would be so very appropriate! Hide this content.
The Wines
Its deep, ruby color is followed by a fruit forward, layered, beautifully balanced wine that has lots of red and black currant fruit, toasted spice, smoked earth and licorice aromas and flavors. It's well balanced and has loads to love. - Jeb Dunnuck. 91 Points
Toasty, buttery, pear and baked apple aroma with hints of honey and baking spices; rich, fleshy, buttery, baked apple and stone fruit flavors with good acid balance, and a plush, creamy mouthfeel. - California Grapevine. 90 Points
It's medium gold color is followed by beautiful notes of mango, pineapple, and citrus blossom, It has a touch of oak, yet is beautifully balanced, rounded and supple on the palate. - Jeb Dunnuck. 90 Points
The 2016 Chardonnay Sierra Madre Vineyard Chardonnay was brought up in equal parts French and American oak, with 20% being new. It offers beautiful white peach and stone fruits, lots of spice and brioche nuances, medium-bodied richness and a layered, impressively balanced profile. It's impressive today yet will keep for 4-5 years. - Jeb Dunnuck. 91 Points
Surprises with its richness, its fruity purity, its careful composition and its altogether unexpected depth. As tasty as it is now, it has the kind of balance that invites a bit of time in the cellar, and picky Pinot fans should not be dissuaded by its modest price. It is a wine that deserves attention. - Connoisseurs Guide to California Wines. 90 Points
Medium ruby-purple color and nose of crushed red cherries, mulberries and pomegranate with fragrant hints of potpourri, lavender and dried Provence herbs. Medium-bodied with a tightly-wound, vibrantly fruited palate, it has a fine-grained tannic frame and plenty of freshness, finishing long and perfumed. - The Wine Advocate. 93 Points
Red currants, spice-box, menthol and hints of tobacco all show in the 2016 Pinot Noir Cargasacchi Vineyard and it's medium-bodied, concentrated and elegant on the palate. There's certainly a more base/earthy slant here, it's texture is spot on, and it has fine tannins that emerge on the finish. - Jeb Dunnuck. 92 Points
The 2016 Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard from Loring sports a translucent ruby color to go with classic Sta. Rita Hills spice-box, dried earth and dried flower-like aromas and flavors. With a beautiful core of red and black fruits, mediumbodied richness, integrated acidity and a great finish, it's another terrific wine from this estate. - Jeb Dunnuck. 92 Points
Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, it opens with fragrant kirsch, raspberry pie and rose hip tea notes with underlying black pepper and mossy bark hints. Medium-bodied, firmly textured and with lovely freshness, it offers delicate red berry and savory layers with an herbal lift to the finish. - The Wine Advocate. 91 Points
Beautiful, and one of the most classic expressions of Pinot Noir in the Loring lineup. Complex notes of strawberries, cherries, forest floor, spices and hints of earth all emerge from the glass and it's medium-bodied, beautifully balanced, elegant and silky on the palate. It has bright acidity, yet everything is in the right proportions, it has a good mid-palate and a great finish. - Jeb Dunnuck. 93 Points
Pretty, complex, candied red fruited profile that has a plenty of sappy flower character that shows more with time in the glass. One of the more fresh, lively wines from Loring, with medium-bodied richness, a tight, vibrant texture, bright yet integrated acidity and a good finish. - Jeb Dunnuck. 91 Points
Deep, intense, fragrant, raspberry and Bing cherry aromas with hints of forest floor, Asian spices, and cocoa. Big, rich, fleshy, spicy, red berry fruit flavors with good depth and concentration, and some plushness in the velvety mouthfeel. Very appealing to taste now, showing some elegance and complexity as it developed with airing in the glass. Very highly recommended. - California Grapevine. 92 Points
Spices, exotic flowers, orange peel, and red cherry notes all emerge from this complex, silky, incredibly delicious red that has nicely integrated acidity and a clean finish. It's a juicy, balanced, gulp-able beauty to drink over the coming 4-5 years. - Jeb Dunnuck. 91 Points
Pale to medium ruby-purple color and is scented of red currants, red cherries and rhubarb with an earthy/forest floor undercurrent and waft of sautéed herbs. The medium-bodied palate fills the mouth with fragrant earth suggestions, framed by chewy tannins and seamless freshness and finishing with lingering tea and dried cherry hints. - The Wine Advocate. 92 Points
Powerful, focused and well-spiced, with flavors of dark cherry and plum that lengthen out nicely. Pastry notes linger mid-palate, leading to a finish of cola nut and chocolate nib accents. - Wine Spectator. 92 Points
