Loring Wine Company, “Aubaine Vineyard”, Pinot Noir, San Luis Obispo County, California 2008

What’s in the bottle? You can read through the glass while looking through the wine which gives you a clue that this wine is light bodied. The color is Crimson from the core of the glass to the rim. Extremely highly intense nose filled with dark brooding black cherry fruit. It has hints of menthol, root beer and grenadine on the nose followed up by a big toasty vanilla note. The wine is light bodied and off dry with a pronounced note of spring lilacs and Asian spices. Sassafras, roasted red beets, sweet vanilla and pie crust round out the flavor profile. The wine finishes nicely with some bright clean acidity.

Knowledge: There are many great single vineyard sites for Pinot Noir popping up all over California. These single vineyards often sell too many different wineries which will make Pinot Noir from their grapes. The great ones often have a waiting list of producers hoping to get some fruit from their special vineyards. Brian Loring for Loring Wine Company is famous for his hands off approach to making Pinot Noirs which allows the different single vineyards speak for themselves and tell the story of what they are all about. In 2008 alone he made 14 different Pinot Noirs all from single vineyards.

Service: Serve in thin lipped Burgundy glasses at 60° F. Light and bright enough for outdoor sipping on a warm day.

What to eat? Asian spice rubbed grilled shrimp right off the BBQ.

Retail Price: $22.99

Found it @:

Coves Discount Wine & Spirits
242 Glen Cove Avenue
Glen Cove, NY 11542
(516)671-5573

For the Geeks like Me: Less than 450 cases of this single vineyard Pinot Noir are produced. Aubaine Vineyard is a 14 acre plot with an ocean view 840 feet above sea-level. The vineyard is planted exclusively to the 667 and 777 clones of Pinot Noir.