After visiting with Joe at Arcadian, my friend Heather and I bounced over to Lompoc. It was late in the day, but Brian still very graciously received us and we banged through a few barrel tastes. It is always a fine pleasure to meet with him, such a good person to know. These are more quick-scribble impressions. We tasted a couple of Rachel Silkowski’s Say Whens as well. Sorry that I didn’t mark down barrels for all.
2019 Loring Kessler-Haak chard, 2nd use Atelier barrel . Very pleasant and lifted with pear and honey
2019 Loring Peake Ranch chard in new ermitage barrel . More pear, some toast, light but tasty
2019 Say When Grenache Blanc in new American seguin-Moreau barrel. Orange wine and carbonic. Banana for sure. That is Fun! Bananas, but sparked
2019 Say When Grenache in 3rd use Atelier barrel . Rather pretty flowery Juicy and present, a bit bitter
2019 Loring Boekenoogen PN 115 clone . Spice and snap to this. Plush still, sweet raspberry
2019 Loring Peterson PN 115 and 777. A little abrupt, but good base of red fruit. Needs more
2019 Loring Cortada Alta PN. 828, 23, pommard 5, 777, 91 Darker raspberry and wild strawberry. This has an extra drive level.
2019 Loring Aubaine PN. Bit of nosed herbs and chokecherry. Pretty and light to taste, needs to be blended
2019 Loring Spanish springs PN 115 and 777, new source of fruit for Brian, low valley and close to the sea. Neat cedar and sandalwood. Lots of potential here. Has a real SB typicity
He doesn’t want his wines to be trophies. Instead part of people’s lives
2019 Loring Kessler-Haak PN 113 and 777. Controlled spiced florals. Again, just what I want from Brian—this cinnamon, earthy, spangly. Already fine wine.
2019 Loring Kessler-Haak 115 and 667 Bit of sarsaparilla. Darker. Violets and tasty black raspberry.
2019 Loring Quinta Santa Rosa PN Another new source, 10 yr vineyard. Near Peake Ranch. Bright red cherry. Needs to grow up, but some potential here
2019 Peake Ranch PN 777, 23, 115 and pommard 4 Lots of swirling needed for Apple peel, cranberry. Acid cover for spiced fruit. A bit awkward but time may cure
