2014 Kessler-Haak Estate Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills

2014 Kessler-Haak Estate Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills

with No Comment $30-$40Central CoastKevin VogtPinot NoirSanta BarbaraSanta Rita HillsUSA

KESSLER-HAAK

ESTATE PINOT NOIR
STA. RITA HILLS 2014

2014 Kessler-Haak Estate Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills
Steadfast on producing grapes capable of capturing the essence of Sta Rita Hills terroir, Kessler-Haak’s founders planted their vineyard in the northwest corner of the region in 2005. Within the next decade, as the vines came of age, their ability to bear fruit expressive of their origin caught the eye of Pinot-maverick Brian Loring, who began crafting Kessler-Haak Vineyard designated Pinot under his Loring label. 
 
Kessler-Haak’s team organically farms their 30 acres of Pinot Noir, striving for a harmonic co-existence amongst the vineyard’s vines, animals, and insects. The east-west orientation of the hills funnels sea breezes into the area, drastically cooling daytime temperatures, which helps maintain fresh acidity and allows the grapes a long hang-time to develop complex flavor compounds. The wine’s fresh acidity also allowed the 2014 vintage to age effortlessly, beautifully depicting the vintage and terroir; the wine is surprisingly dynamic and drinking beautifully right now.
 
KESSLER-HAAK
ESTATE PINOT NOIR
STA. RITA HILLS 2014
Retails at: $50
 
 
 
“This study of Clone 2A begins with big aromas of boysenberry jam, black tea and minty chocolate elements. There is decent weight to the palate, where rich and ripe flavors of blackberry meet with firm tannins and buoyant acidity. Dashes of star anise and all spice give further depth.”
93 Points
2018 Loring Wine Company Spanish Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir

2018 Loring Wine Company Spanish Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30-$40Central CoastKevin VogtPinot NoirUSA

LORING

2018 PINOT NOIR
SPANISH SPRINGS VINEYARD
ARROYO GRANDE VALLEY

2018 Loring Wine Company Spanish Springs Vineyard Pinot NoirWhen a passionate winemaker immerses into a single varietal like Pinot Noir, then crafts around a dozen individual wines, it can be challenging to choose just one. Brian Loring’s Pinots are always captivating, expressive, and will make you fall in love with the wine and its origin. We tasted through a half-dozen of his 2018 single vineyard releases, and they were all great, but the Spanish Springs Vineyard was everything that I look for in Pinot, and it was a real highlight during our tasting.

The Spanish Springs Vineyard drew Brian in for its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, and not only is it the closest in all of San Luis Obispo County, but it’s also the closest in the entire Golden State. 
 
The vines are grown in a complex mix of sandstone, shale, and limestone at the base, and the grapes themselves perfectly reflect the earth beneath, as well as the powerful maritime influences that make this site so unique. 
 
LORING
2018 PINOT NOIR
SPANISH SPRINGS VINEYARD
ARROYO GRANDE VALLEY
Retails at: $54
 
 
“Sour red-plum and dewy sagebrush aromas show on the nose of this single-vineyard expression. The palate is more ripe with wild berry and cranberry flavors, cut by orange-rind and bay leaf touches.”  90 Points
2017 Loring Kessler-Haak Vineyard Pinot Noir

2017 Loring Kessler-Haak Vineyard Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtPinot NoirSanta BarbaraSanta Rita HillsUncategorizedUSA

LORING 2017 Loring Kessler-Haak Vineyard Pinot Noir

2017 PINOT NOIR
KESSLER-HAAK VINEYARD
SANTA RITA HILLS

 
If you’ve ever wondered whether a winemaker’s passion for their artistry could manifest itself directly into the flavors and personality of the wine they produce, just take one sip of ANY of Brian Loring’s Pinot Noirs and you’ll know… His passion for the Pinot Noir grape began in Burgundy and was later propelled by the wines of Josh Jensen (Calera), and from there reached Williams Selyem, Chalone, Sanford and Cottonwood Canyon.  The level of passion that he has for the varietal adds another dimension to his winemaking which is absolutely on-point.  His Pinot Noirs are revered for their ability to express terroir and for their uncanny levels of balance and charisma.  At this price, they should not be missed.
 
We often note that vineyard owners have a clear advantage when it comes to selecting grapes for their own wines and knowing when to pick… They know their land like nobody else, and Brian recognized that and sought out some of California’s best Pinot Noir vineyards, then instructed the owners of each vineyard to treat the Loring blocks exactly the same way as they treat the blocks for the wines they produce for themselves.  A perfect example is his single vineyard Pinot from Kessler-Haak Vineyard, which expresses in vivid detail the remarkable complexity and deep, saturating flavors that this vineyard is able to produce and was the highlight of our tasting…
 
LORING
2017 PINOT NOIR
KESSLER-HAAK VINEYARD
SANTA RITA HILLS
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 

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From PinotFile: “Dark garnet color in the glass. Brooding aromas of fertile earth and wine cave. A charge of boisterous black raspberry and blackberry fruit greets the palate, fills every nook and cranny in the mouth, and exits with aplomb. Velvety in texture with noticeable, but not intrusive tannins.”  92 Points

 

2017 Loring Clos Pepe Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017 Loring Rosella's Vineyard Pinot Noir
LORING
2017 PINOT NOIR
CLOS PEPE VINEYARD
SANTA RITA HILLS
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 
 
From PinotFile: “Moderate garnet color in the glass. Uplifting aromas of black cherry and spice rub lead to a mid weight plus styled wine with a generous core of delicious black cherry and purple berry fruit. Supple tannins provide marvelous support and the energetic acidity adds vigor. A compelling wine with an extremely long finish.”  94 Points
LORING
2017 PINOT NOIR
ROSELLA’S VINEYARD
SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 
 
From PinotFile: “... Grand aromas of purple grape, boysenberry and sandalwood. My first word after taking a sip was Wow! An ephemeral wine with flat-out delicious, well-spiced, dark red cherry fruit that really captures the palate with goodness. Wondrous harmony with endless aromatic pleasure on the finish. Praise the Lord! Gary Franscioni really knows how to raise wine grapes!”  95 Points