Cult Wines

So I had my first taste of a "cult" wine last night: Robert Loring Winery Pinot Noir, Rosella's Vineyard 2006. A year ago I hadn't heard of this winery. He makes Pinot Noir exclusively, California Central Coast, a lot of small single-vineyard bottlings with no clear hierarchy. I hadn't thought of it as a cult winery until I was at a store in Virginia last Thanksgiving. They had a few bottles of one of his other bottlings for sale with a hand written sign declaring it as such, and generally gushing about it. The kicker was that it said they were honered to even have some of this wine in the store!

Anyway the one I had hasn't been rated anywhere that I can find, yet, but it was good! The thing for me was, "What's the big deal?" In my mind it was a very good California Pinot, nothing less nothing more. It smelled like grape juice....not restrained, but not knock-you-over either. It had nice fruit and some tannin but not a lot, and pretty smooth for such a young wine. I would definitely have it again, but at $48 -- if you can find it at that price, if at all -- it would be a rare treat. Of course it's not available in PA.

If you've had a "cult" wine what did you think?

Mark

Speaking of cult wines, Screaming Eagle Oakville Cab 2002 was just made available at pawineandspirits.com (if you're signed up for automatic notifications to pawineandspirits.com then you already know this!). WA 99, WS 95. Original release price was $300 but you'll never find it for that. PLCB Code #11939, available for a mere $2330 per 750 ML bottle. Hurry, at this crazy price it won't last long!!

For what it's worth, I would not categorize Loring Wine Company wines as 'cult' wines. I don't think that Brian Loring has the longevity or the cachet to meet the (albeit subjective) definition of 'cult'. IMHO, cult Cali pinots would be Marcassin; Kistler; Rochioli single vineyards; and perhaps Calera and Dehlinger. Candidates on the rise include would include Kosta Browne; Rivers-Marie; August West; Freeman; and many more.... None available through PLCB, though I have seen a Rochioli blend and Kosta Browne used to be available (before WS accolades).

Thanks for the TN on LWC '06 Rosella's - I have a couple that I'll let sleep for a few years.

I've not tasted any cult wines. I guess the closest that I have are a few '01 and '02 Quilceda Creek cabs (purchased from the PLCB). They're cellared; I've not yet tasted any.

The Screagle price was 2nd best in the country, per WineSearcher....but way, way, way out of my league!

Cheers,
Kevin

Try Dalla Valle Cabernet

Available by SLO

#66599
#64180
#58183

$200 a bottle, but World Class! (and available!)

Also try Kamen Estate Cab #11361 at $55 and its LISTED!
PLCB lists the 03 vintage, the 2000 was selling around $500

Paradigm Cab #63247, #60148

Zippy

Thursday had a Rafanelli '04 Zin that was very good and very surprising. The nose was like the high production Chileans, not very appealing but everything else was superior, if not very complex. Soft, fruity but balanced, not much tannin.

As for the cult status, I have a friend whose wife visited the winery a few years ago and raved, but apparently they are a cranky group. Visits by appointment, cancelled subject to their whim (which happened to my friend during harvest time). They sell only by response to their mailing list of friends (my buddy's wife had to argue to convince them she had visited & signed up-they overlloked her). If you don't buy at least every other year you're off the list and good luck getting back on it. Prices seem to be in the $30-60 range although they have a Terrace Select Cab that fetches $150-300. Cellar Tracker found one bottle of the Cab of any vintage in the US (Manhasset NY for $159) & only four misc Cabs ranging from $59-$300. The winery is just a few minutes from the Dry Creek Inn at the Healdsburg exit of US 101 in Sonoma so its very accessible if not very open. Anyone heading into the area should stop.

Just listed on pawineandspirits.com:

Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (1.5L), $8500, PLCB Code #11949

Woo hoo!

Well blow me down... Several different Loring pinots are now available at the PLCB! On the pawineandspirits.com web site several say "online exclusive," but several are also shown in inventory at a couple select stores on www.lcb.state.pa.us. Each is $40.99 which seems to be about the average price on wine-searcher.com.

Ok well I just had the Loring '09 Clos Pepe code 36174 $35. Very disappointed. Alluring raspberry aromas but disjointed on the palate, a touch harsh, hot (14.8%). Alcohol had blown off on day 2 but flavors were less appealing. Might come together in a few years but I'm impatient. There just seem to be better options available at the price point.

My experience with the Rosella's are similar. Not sure what justifies the price other than the fact that it's Cal Pinot. When I bought it was closing out & under $40 if I remember correctly so I guess I got a deal but yes, there are many better wine options.

Fwiw the 2010 lorings are sensational. Btw...he makes a cab/mouvedre blend called divergence that is crazy good. $100 though.
Btw loring has never been anywhere near a cult. In fact Brian might have a fit if you say that to him ;)

Jlburd...there are always better wine options...but decidedly better California Pinot for 40? The occasional Siduri, some Pali, some rivers Marie, sea smoke botella and every so many years Walter Hansel north slope. If you like the more watery style Rhys and Kutch do some under 40. A matter of preference and food match as far as I'm concerned. Cali Pinot does not come cheap.

PA stores had about 6 different vineyard selections from Brian Loring's 2006 vintage. My store has 2 codes remaining. Recently we were able to order the LWC Clos Pepe Pinot Noir 2009 code #36174 which is $34.99.
Brian Loring was on Wine Library TV in Spring 2010.
http://tv.winelibrary.com/2010/04/22/brian-loring-of-loring-wine-company-part-1-episo de-850/
http://tv.winelibrary.com/2010/04/23/brian-loring-of-loring-wine-company-part-2-episo de-851/
Brian Loring <brian@loringwinecompany.com>

Loring is available at around $25 if you purchase as "futures" a few months before fall release. I have a case of the 2010 from three different vineyards. Great stuff at that price point. But certainly not 'cult'.

Agree Dontime and Tantore, I now know. Four years ago when this thread started I had only heard of Loring but had never actually seen or tasted, then walked into a store in VA and they had some with a cardboard sign saying "Cult" and so I believed them. Also, I think Loring has expanded operations since then and it's more widely available now.

I've now had several different vineyards from three different vintages and have either been disappointed with the wine outright or else thought it was good but not worth the price (and unfortunately I've never gotten any for less than $35). For the same money (or less) I've been more satisfied with various Pinots from Oregon (Ponzi, Roots, Chehalem), and for a bit more have been much happier with Sea Smoke.

I am a fan of Chehalem pinot noir.

tantore-agree 100% on the better Pinot under $40 observation but my feelings about Pinot should eliminate my opinion from consideration (not that I won't offer). The few Cal Pinot's that I have enjoyed are above $40 & not in my cellar unless as gifts. Given my lack of self control in wine buying I consider it a blessing that I don't get Pinot!

Generally if I am spending money on pinot noir, it's grown in Burgundy. And it's probably not from a PA Wine & Spirits shop.