2002 Loring Rancho Ontiveros and 02 Brosseau

[winoweenie]

Have some 375 to guage aging on Brians wines. 02 Rancho. What a difference a year makes. Deep ruby. Little nose initially but with 45 min exotic spices along with fruit filled the glass. As has been reported on other boards, these wines are not for the faint of heart. Mouthfilling, weighty center and a solid 4 lapper finish. Popwerful juice that should benefit from some time. Tried like the devil to find the relevance of Syrah to this wine, but guess the ole' weeners taste-buds are on vacation. Reminded me of some of the early 70s' Swans. I likee! 91. The Brosseau bottling was a gentler soul. When first poured I got the impression of a light spritz on the tip of my tongue. Not secondary Malo but, well, a spritz. This dissapated in about 15 minutes and pure fruit and spices came on. Definately in character but with manners. Lovely rounded tannins to carry this for 1-3. I Personally prefer the Rancho but this is a lovely effort.90. WW

[dananne]

Again, thanks for the Loring notes. The '02 Rancho Ontiveros sounds particularly yummy. I still plan on picking up anything I find from him if I ever see it around these parts. Stupid Georgia distribution. (Grumble)

[Kcwhippet]

The only way to get the Loring is have Brian ship it to you, Dan. He doesn't make enough yet to distribute to GA. So far only to NY, IL and AZ. Wouldn't matter anyway, because he's all out of the 02 - none left to sell or ship. Sign up for his mailing list, and maybe he can find a way. He's very creative.

[dananne]

Thanks for the heads-up and info, KC.

[winoweenie]

I'll suggest also getting on Tom Dehlingers list as he's now shipping direct.WW
Dehlinger Winery
6300 Guerneville Td.
Sebastopol, Ca. 95472
(707) 823-2378

[dananne]

And a thanks to you, WW! Will do just that!

[Innkeeper]

Wade Schlosser at Wades Wines (http://www.wadeswines.com) has four bottlings of Loring pinots in some quantity for sale. My past experience with him has required my using a third party shipper.

[marleyspud]

WW, you mentioned a 'light spritz on the tip of your tongue'. Would you liken this taste/feeling to slight carbonation? I have noticed what I thought was slight carbonation in some wines and wondered if this was a sign of a bad wine? Particularly a Black Opal(Australia) (82%cab/18%merlot)I keep. Is this common for these/this grape/region? MS

[winoweenie]

Yes there MS. This is really a mystery as it's not secondary malolactic but just a fizzy feeling. Need to check with Brian and see if he topped off the barrels with Sprite. WW

[Kcwhippet]

I think you may find that the "spritziness" is merely dissolved CO2 from the primary fermentation. If you splash decant the younger Pinot Noirs, you probably will never notice it. I've heard that Beaux Freres (and maybe some others) actually add some CO2 to help keep the wine fresher for a longer period of time.

[winoweenie]

AH..HA!!! Forgot about the stuff the Foodies of the world use to confound us dummies. Tankee KC. WW

[Kcwhippet]

One thing I've noticed about that spritziness is that I usually only seem to see it in small production lots from "caring" winemakers. Folks like Brian Loring, Adam and Dianna Lee, and a few others, who make their wines with minimal intervention (racking, filtering, etc.). If I get it from wineries with much larger productions, I have to assume they're likely adding it before bottling to boost the long term quality somewhat.

[winoweenie]

I'm also sure it was accented by the smaller 375 bottling. WW. Adam Lee is here tonight for an offline. Unfortunately, I have guest in from out-of so must be the gracious hostie-poo. PHSSSSTTTT!!!!(tongue-out-making-nasty-noises)WW

[Bucko]

PHSSSSTTTT!!!!(tongue-out-making-nasty-noises)WW
*********************
Well, at least it isn't the other end for a change!

[This message has been edited by Bucko (edited 03-10-2004).]

[wondersofwine]

LOL, Bucko.

[winoweenie]

Had a bottle of the 02 Brosseau last nite. The 3 750 I've opened but couldn't find any post but thison it. The spritz is gone. Nose has expanded greatly and the expansion is good. Again the more gentler kinder bottle from Brian. Silky mouthfeel, solid center and a definate 4-lapper finish. Still can use another year IMHO to be on top. Solid 90. WW

[wondersofwine]

I just read through the thread again and LOL a second time at Bucko's comment. I have a Gary's Vineyard from Loring I am tempted to open but think it would benefit from another year of rest (it was shipped last fall.)