Reviews
WINE ENTHUSIAST - MAY 2012
95 Points - 2009 Pinot Noir, Fe Ciega Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills
"top-rank Pinot Noir, dry, silky and elegant, with moderate alcohol despite great richness. The flavors of cherries, cola, plums and herbs are simply delicious, while the structure displays great integrity of acids and tannins. A bit tight now in youth, it should unfold over the next eight years. If you pop the cork now, give it a few hours of airing." Cellar Selection - S.H. ~~~ Click to download pdf: 2009 Pinot Noir Fe Ciega Vineyard Wine Enthusiast Review
PRINCE OF PINOT- FEBRUARY 2012
2009 Pinot Noir, Fe Ciega Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills
"14.2% alc., pH 3.58, TA 0.60, 605 cases, $48. 100% de-stemmed and crushed into small open top fermenters. 3-day cold soak, inoculated, average fermentation lasted 12 days. Aged 15 months in 30% new French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose features deep purple fruits with noticeable oak. Rugged and masculine in nature with a full offering of earthy black plum, black currant and blackberry fruit encased in flamboyant tannins and accented by plenty of oak. Much better the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle showing softer tannins and more vivacious fruit, but still significantly oaked. There is plenty of upside in this wine that needs cellaring for at least a few years to integrate the oak and tannins. Decant if you must open now. This wine has such a distinctive character each vintage that I am sure I could pick it out blind from a lineup. It definitely reflects its terroir. Very good. "
2010 Pinot Noir, Lovely Rita, Sta. Rita Hills
"13.8% alc., pH 3.66, TA 0.53, 360 cases, $32. A blend of 94% Fe Ciega Vineyard and 6% Bien Nacido Vineyard. Fermented in both the Ganimedes fermenter and open top fermenter. Aged 11 months in 20% new French oak barrels. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Complex aromatics featuring scents of dark red raspberries and cranberries, spice, tea leaf, wet leaves and potpourri. Lighter weighted, but charming dark red berry flavors with supporting toasty oak. A wellrounded offering with nicely proportioned tannins and easy drink ability. Ready to drink now, but will last a few years. Good (+)."
THE TASTING PANEL- JANUARY 2012
91 Points - 2009 Pinot Noir, Fe Ciega Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills
"Ripe, dense and concentrated with deep black cherry and plum; rich and spicy with smooth texture and a long, earthy finish." - Anthony Dias Blue
THE PINOT REPORT - JANUARY 2012
94 Points - 2009 Pinot Noir, Fe Ciega Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills
"Medium-deep ruby color; complex, plum and black cherry aromas with pepper and smoke notes; big, rich, deep pepper and plum flavors with smoky notes; great texture; good structure and balance; long finish. Delicious, deep Pinot with the kind of complexity I've come to expect from this vineyard. Perfect match for grilled lamb or pork."
94 Points - 2009 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
"Medium-deep ruby color; deep, complex, smoky cherry and plum aromas; deep, complex, rich smoky cherry flavors with meaty, earthy notes; some toasty oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Deep, toasty and complex, this Pinot is perfect for a grilled steak; give it some time to open in the glass."
94 Points - 2009 Pinot Noir, Lovely Rita, Sta. Rita Hills
"Medium-deep ruby color; tight, deep aromas of plum and black pepper; deep, rich plum and cherry flavors with spice and black pepper notes; some tannin and toasty oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Complex, deep Pinot that is still a baby… needs time in the bottle and glass."
94 Points - 2009 Pinot Noir, Rancho Santa Rosa Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills
"Medium-deep ruby color; deep, complex aromas of plum and herbs with some earthy notes; deep, closed, earthy, plum flavors with anise and herbal notes; moderate tannin and oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Earthy, deep Pinot with great structure—needs time to open and will age well in your cellar."
JAMES SUCKLING REVIEWS - DECEMBER 2011
91 Points - 2008 Pinot Noir, Fe Ciega Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills
"A subtle and fruity red with earth, meat and berry character. Full to medium-bodied with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Drink after 2013." -
James Suckling
90 Points - 2009 Pinot Noir, Rancho Santa Rosa Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills
"Plum and dried flowers with cedar. Full-bodied, with plenty of fruit. Turns slightly earthy. Funky but I like it. Drink or hold." -
James Suckling
90 Points - 2009 Pinot Noir, Lovely Rita, Sta. Rita Hills
"Sweet plum with hints of fresh cedar and sliced peaches on the nose. Full-bodied, with soft and silky tannins and a lovely balance of fruit. Floral and pretty. Best in 2013." -
James Suckling
STEVE TANZER'S INTERNATIONAL WINE CELLAR - OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2011
92 Points - 2009 Pinot Noir, Fe Ciega Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills
"Bright ruby. Spicy red berries and cherry on the nose, with lively mineral and rose notes adding energy. Bright and lithe, with spice-accented red fruit and floral pastille flavors supported by fine-grained, building tannins. Finishes bright and focused, with outstanding length and repeating raspberry and spice notes. This should be even better with bottle age: Longoria recommends giving all Fe Ciegas "at least five years after the vintage before drinking them--and even then, decanting is a good idea." -
Josh Raynolds
92 Points - 2009 Pinot Noir, Rancho Santa Rosa Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills
"Vivid ruby-red. Expressive aromas of red and dark berries, rose, cola and incense, with a sexy note of vanillin oak emerging with air. Juicy and expansive, with a seamless texture and very good depth to its raspberry and cherry-cola flavors. Rich but bright, with excellent finishing clarity and spicy persistence." -
Josh Raynolds
91 Points - 2009 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
"Bright ruby-red. Lively aromas of black raspberry, minerals and musky herbs, with a sexy note of vanilla gaining strength with air. Then riper and deeper on the palate, with nicely delineated, spicy dark berry flavors that show attractive sweetness and good tangy bite. A well-proportioned, youthful pinot, finishing with fine-grained but firm tannins and very good persistence." -
Josh Raynolds
90 Points - 2009 Pinot Noir, Lovely Rita, Sta. Rita Hills
"(all Fe Ciega fruit): Bright ruby-red. Aromas of black raspberry, vanilla and cola, with a spicy topnote. Bright, precise dark berry flavors are given depth by notes of sassafras and vanilla and pick up a peppery note with air. Finishes on a gently tannic note, with very good clarity and persistence. This drinks very well right now, especially with some aeration." -
Josh Raynolds
90 Points - 2009 Tempranillo, Clover Creek Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley
"(aged in 100% American oak): Ruby-red. Dried cherry and redcurrant aromas are complicated by cracked pepper and vanilla nuances. Fresh, finely etched red fruit preserve flavors are firmed by dusty tannins, with a floral note coming up with air. This suave, oak-spiced wine finishes with very good clarity and sweet persistence. There's an elegance to this wine that recalls Rioja but the intense fruit hearkens to Ribera del Duero." -
Josh Raynolds
90 Points - 2008 Syrah, Alisos Vineyard, Santa Barbara County
"(harvested at a relatively low 24.5 degrees Brix and raised in one-third new oak): Dark purple. Sexy aromas of dark berry preserves, vanilla, cola and woodsmoke, complemented by a sneaky cracked pepper nuance and slow-building florality. Sappy and expansive, with very good depth to its oak-spiced blackberry and mulberry flavors. Tannins come on late and add structure and closing grip." -
Josh Raynolds
THE WINE SPECTATOR - OCTOBER 2011
90 Points - 2009 Pinot Noir, Fe Ciega Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills
"Firm and dense, yet supple around the edges, this offers vivid
flavors of wild berry, raspberry, fresh earth and wildflowers, joined
by touches of herb and spice. Needs time. Drink now through 2016. " -
James Laube ~~~ Click to download pdf: 2009 Pinot Noir, Fe Ciega Vineyard Wine Spectator Review
WINE ENTHUSIAST - SEPTEMBER 2011
93 Points - 2009 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
"Obviously from a superior terroir, this Pinot shows gorgeously ripe berry fruit and spices, brisk acidity, firm tannins and a rich coating of oak. But the parts haven't come together. It's like a team that needs practice. Should peak sometime in 2012, and hold for a couple years." Cellar Selection -
S.H. ~~~ Click to download pdf: 2009 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard Wine Enthusiast Review
92 Points - 2009 Pinot Noir, Rancho Santa Rosa Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills
"A very fruity Pinot Noir, flamboyant in wild summer raspberry and cherry flavors. There’s an exotic spiciness, and earthy, forest notes of pine needles and anise. A beautiful wine, dry and silky, and capable of a few years of age." - S.H. ~~~
90 Points - 2009 Pinot Noir, Lovely Rita, Santa Rita Hills
"A lovely Pinot Noir that’s rich and soft and drinkable now. It’s a little heavier than Longoria’s vineyard-designated Pinots, but less expensive, too, with flashy cherry, raspberry, cola and spice
flavors, touched with oak." - S.H. ~~~
90 Points - 2010 Albariño, Clover Creek Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley
"From one of the best, most consistent Albariño producers in the state, Longoria’s 2010 showcases brisk, clean acidity with plenty of flavor. Citrus fruits, melons, wildflowers, minerals, honey and spices flood the mouth, in a creamy texture. Try as a zesty alternative to Chardonnay." - S.H. ~~~ Click to download pdf: 2010 Albariño Clover Creek Vineyard Wine Enthusiast Review
90 Points - 2010 Pinot Grigio, Santa Barbara County
"Longoria’s best Pinot Grigio yet, and one of the better ones out there. It’s wonderfully clean and crisp, with rich, spicy flavors of citrus fruits, flowers, vanilla and honey." Editors’ Choice. - S.H. ~~~ Click to download pdf: 2010 Pinot Grigio Wine Enthusiast Review
INTERNATIONAL WINE REVIEW - AUGUST 2011
93 Points - 2008 Pinot Noir, Fe Ciega Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills
"Medium ruby garnet in color, the Pinot Noir Fe Ciega Vineyard offers attractive aromas and flavors of dried cherry, spice and toast. Perhaps the most Burgundian of the four Pinot Noirs tasted, it is silky smooth and elegant on the palate and exhibits concentrated fruit flavors, excellent balance, soft round tannins and a long finish. Aged in oak for 14 months, it is composed of three Dijon clones: 115, 667, and Pommard"
93 Points - 2009 Pinot Noir, Rancho Santa Rosa Vineyard, anta Rita Hills
"The Pinot Noir Rancho Santa Rosa Vineyard exhibits a medium dark ruby hue and aromas of pure ripe cherry with black fruit notes. It is a lovely tasting wine, soft and elegant on the attack with concentrated fruit flavors, toast and spice. Aged in 30% new oak, it reveals excellent balance, soft round tannins and a long persistent finish. Made of 100% Dijon clone 667 from a very low yielding (1.5 tons/acre) block in the Rancho Santa Rosa Vineyard. A beauty."
90+ Points - 2009 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
"The 2009 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard reveals a dark ruby color and aromas of red cherry, plum, earth and toast. Aged for 10 months in French oak, 30% new, it is soft and elegant on the palate with spicy concentrated dark fruit flavors, excellent balance, soft tannins, and a smooth long finish. "
WINE ENTHUSIAST - MARCH 2011
90 Points - 2008 Pinot Noir, Fe Ciega Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills
"A good Pinot Noir, dry and rich and complex, but the acidity is high. It makes for a sharp cut across the berry and cherry flavors. Seems closer to the leaner 2006 than to the wonderfully rich ’07, but will probably develop in the bottle over the next 5–7 years.”" -
S.H. ~~~
STEVE TANZER'S INTERNATIONAL WINE CELLAR - NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010
92 Points - 2008 Pinot Noir, Fe Ciega Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills
"Vivid ruby. A highly perfumed bouquet
displays scents of black raspberry, rose and sexy oak spices. Sweet and expansive in the mouth, offering
sappy red fruit and floral pastille flavors and a bit of white pepper. Exotic and spicy, with outstanding
finishing cling and length." - Josh Raynolds
92 Points - 2008 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
"Ruby-red. Lively raspberry,
spicecake, rose and orange zest on the nose. Deeply pitched red berry flavors are enlivened by zesty
minerality and complemented by notes of candied flowers, licorice and allspice. Penetrating fruit and
mineral qualities expand on the very persistent finish, which features peppery spice and star anise notes" - Josh Raynolds
91 Points - 2008 Pinot Noir, Rancho Santa Rosa Vineyard, Santa Rita
Hills
"Bright ruby. Sexy aromas of
black raspberry and cola, with spice and floral qualities gaining strength with aeration. Juicy, palatestaining
red and dark berry compote flavors are lifted by zesty acidity and show an intriguing smokiness
on the back half. Rich but lively, with strong finishing cut and lingering spiciness." - Josh Raynolds
"Bright yellow-gold. An expansive bouquet of mango, pear and Meyer lemon, with complicating floral and spice qualities. Pliant orchard and tropical fruit flavors stain the palate and are given spine by tangy acidity. The finish is smooth, gently sweet and quite persistent. I like this wine's blend of richness and vivacity." - Josh Raynolds
90 Points - 2008 Pinot Noir, Lovely Rita, Santa Rita Hills
"Vivid red. Energetic aromas of strawberry,
raspberry and minerals. Fresh, finely etched red berry flavors display very good concentration and lively
minerality with no excess fat. Finishes with alluring sweetness, fine-grained tannins and very good
clarity. This wine's balance appeals to me." - Josh Raynolds
90 Points - 2007 Syrah, Alisos Vineyard, Santa Barbara County
"Glass-staining purple. Expressive aromas
of dark berry and cherry preserves, with complicating notes of cracked pepper and olive. Deeply pitched
blackberry and violet pastille flavors are lifted by tangy acidity and become spicier with air. Rich but
lively, with strong grip and lingering sweetness." - Josh Raynolds
88 Points - 2008 Tempranillo, Clover Creek Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley
"Bright purple. Ripe blueberry and boysenberry on the nose, with suggestions of woodsmoke and vanilla
adding complexity. Weighty dark fruit flavors provide excellent palate coverage and show distinct ripeness.
Seamless and sweet on
the lingering, smoky finish." - Josh Raynolds
