Longoria Wines

Articles About Longoria Wines

Reviewed Wines

2014 Longoria Lovely Rita Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.2% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.55, 684 cases, $32. 83% Fe Ciega Vineyard, 9% Arita Hills Vineyard and 8% Cloud 9 Vineyard. 100% de-stemmed, average 10 days fermentation, aged in French oak barrels, 12% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Very nice aromas of black cherry, raspberry, compost, herbs and vanillin. A mid weight plus core of black cherry and red currants is blessed with a deft oak embellishment. Sleek and silky, with gorgeous balance and inviting intensity and length on the finish. Forward-drinking, yet has the balance to age short term. This is the best Lovely Rita bottling in recent memory. It has become increasingly difficult to find excellent value priced Pinot Noir and this wine still fits the bill. Score: 91. Reviewed June 18, 2016 ARTICLE »

2013 Longoria Lovely Rita Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.45, TA 0.60, 480 cases, $32. Sourced from Fe Ciega Vineyard and includes Pommard, Mt. Eden, and Dijon 115 and 667 clones. Harvest Brix 23.8º. 100% de-stemmed, aged in French oak barrels, 16% new. Gently filtered but not fined before bottling in late January 2015. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Hard to coax any fruit out of the nose which is dominated now by earth and oak. Better on the palate, with mid weight flavors of black cherry and cranberry accented with nutty oak. Firm, but not aggressive tannins, with a good cut on the citrus-infused cranberry featured finish. Score: 87. Reviewed June 14, 2015 ARTICLE »

2013 Longoria Bien Nacido Vineyard Block N Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.66, TA 0.58, 185 cases, $50. Longoria has sourced grapes from Block N for over 20 years. Martini clone. Harvest Brix 23.6º. 100% de-stemmed, 2-day cold soak, inoculated yeast strains, aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 36% new. Lightly fined and filtered before bottling in January 2015. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. An elegant wine of immense appeal offering both dark red and purple fruit flavors with complimentary oak in the background. Very soft in the mouth with modest dry tannins and memorable finishing length. Should improve even more over the next year or two. Score: 90. Reviewed June 14, 2015 ARTICLE »

2013 Longoria La Encantada Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.53, TA 0.62, 100 cases, $50. Released November 1, 2015. Clone 777. Harvest Brix average 23.5º. 100% de-stemmed, aged 14 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. Bottled January 2015 without fining and with a light filtration. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose opens nicely over time in the glass, revealing aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, peat and cardamom spice. Discreetly concentrated flavors of black cherries, purple berries and toasty oak are backed by soft tannins. Good cut on the fruit-filled finish that leaves plenty of oak in its wake. Give this wine more time for the oak to integrate. Score: 89-90. Reviewed June 14, 2015 ARTICLE »

2013 Longoria Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., pH 3.64, TA 0.61, 100 cases, $50. After 20 years of producing Pinot Noir from this vineyard, Rick stopped working with the grapes after the 2006 vintage. In 2013, during a luncheon honoring cofounder Michael Benedict at Sanford & Benedict Vineyard’s iconic bar Rick was inspired to return to the vineyard as a source of Pinot Noir. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Intriguing aromas of blackberry pie and incense. Mid weight plus flavors of earthy blackberry jam and Hoison sauce accented with toasty oak. The tannic load is noticeable in this wine resulting in an astringent finish at present. Short term cellaring should alleviate some of the aggressive tannins. Score: 89. Reviewed June 14, 2015 ARTICLE »

2013 Longoria Fe Ciega Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 466 cases, pH 3.50, TA 0.60, $55. Harvest Brix 23.8º. 100% de-stemmed, 2-day cold soak, inoculated yeast strains. Aged 14 months in French oak barrels, 38% new. Lightly fined, filtered and bottled in January 2015. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Clearly the most appealing nose in the 2013 Longoria lineup with bright aromas of black cherry pie, blackberry preserves, anise and sweet oak. Fullbodied, intensely fruity and structured, yet the wine is in harmony with firm, but not hard tannins. The flavors of dark red and purple fruits, sassafras and spice really draw your attention and persist through a prodigious finish that makes a statement. This wine really stands out from the pack. Score: 93. Reviewed June 14, 2015 ARTICLE »

2013 Longoria Fe Ciega Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.50, TA 0.60, 466 cases, $55. Sourced from Longoria’s only estate vineyard that was planted by Rick Longoria in 1998 and expanded to 10 acres in 2008. This vineyard consistently produces one of Sta. Rita Hills’ finest Pinot Noirs. 100% de-stemmed, average 2-day cold soak, inoculated with proprietary yeast strains, 11-day fermentation, aged 14 months in French oak barrels, 38% new. Lightly fined and filtered. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. More glamorous and less rugged in this vintage, with aromas of blackberry, blueberry and pomegranate as well as subtle notes of forest path and oak. The aromas are replicated on the palate in a mid weight juicy style, with matching grainy but not muscular tannins. The wine’s inviting balance and a satiny texture draw attention as does the intensely fruity finish. Score: 93. Reviewed June 18, 2016 ARTICLE »

2012 Longoria Lovely Rita Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., pH 3.40, TA 0.64, 405 cases, $32. Grapes are from Fe Ciega Vineyard. Harvest Brix average 23.0º. Primarily Pommard clone. 100% de-stemmed, aged 15 months in 20% new French oak barrels. Gently fined and filtered two weeks before bottling. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Deep aromas of boysenberry, black cherry, forest floor, herbal oak and salinity. Enjoyable core of fresh, sweet red, spiced cherry and berry fruit. Nicely crafted, with mild tannins and a citrus-infused finish. Winemaker Rick Longoria advises a cellaring potential of 4 to 8 years. Score: 88. Reviewed April 19, 2014 ARTICLE »

2012 Longoria Bien Nacido Vineyard Block N Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.4% alc, pH 3.51, TA 0.59, 168 cases, $45. 20th vintage of Pinot Noir that Longoria has produced from this vineyard. Block N is one of the original blocks of Pinot Noir at Bien Nacido planted in the 1970s. Harvest Brix 23.8º. 100% de-stemmed, 3- day cold soak, inoculated 7-day fermentation. Aged 14 months in 33% new French oak barrels. · This is a very distinctive wine. Moderately dark reddish purple hue in the glass. The nose starts off with prominent notes of evergreen tree and tomato leaf with a hint of black raspberry and cherry. Over time in the glass, the vegetal notes recede and the fruit is more sparkling. Similarly on the palate, the earthy dark cherry and raspberry fruit is clothed in tobacco leaf and dried herb flavors initially, shedding those notes over time in the glass and developing more pure fruit flavors. This unique wine grows on you over time, with the herbal notes declining and becoming more complimentary. Decant or hold this wine in your cellar for a year or two. Score: 90. Reviewed April 19, 2014 ARTICLE »

2012 Longoria Fe Ciega Vineyard Block M Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.20, TA 0.60, 67 cases, $55. Second vintage produced exclusively from fruit planted in the 1.25-acre Block M of Fe Ciega Vineayrd. Mt. Eden Clone. 100% de-stemmed, 3-day cold soak, inoculated 14-day fermentation. Aged 25 months in 55% new French oak. Lightly filtered, but not fined. · Dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is very ingratiating, offering plenty of dark red and black berry fruit aromas. In fact, one sniff of this beauty and you know that you are in for something special. Delicious, perfectly ripened flavors of black raspberry, black cherry and plum reduction sauce. Medium to full bodied with round, dry tannins, a very polished mouth feel and a long, long finish. Clearly a very classy wine that any red-blooded pinotphile will adore. Score: 94. Reviewed April 19, 2014 ARTICLE »

2011 Longoria Lovely Rita Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., pH 3.24, TA 0.69, 321 cases, $32. 100% de-stemmed, aged in 20% new French oak barrels. Unfined, lightly filtered. · Medium reddishpurple color in the glass. Wonderfully perfumed with aromas of black raspberries, black cherries and spice. Very tasty with flavors of red plum, pomegranate and black cherry with a hint of Asian 5-spice. Easy to drink with mild, dry tannins and bright acidity. A slight bit shallow in the mid palate attack and finish, but I would be happy to drink this wine anytime with a casual dinner. Good. Reviewed April 13, 2013 ARTICLE »

2011 Longoria Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., 73 cases, $45. Release May 2013. Rick has been producing this wine from the same eight rows in Block N since 1993. Martini clone. Aged 14 months in 30% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of black cherries, wood shop and pine. Very flavorful on the palate with tastes of dark red berries and cherries underlain with dried herbs and oak. A charming wine that has supple tannins and a dry, lengthy finish. Needs some time in bottle to shed some of the oak topcoat. Good (+). Reviewed April 13, 2013 ARTICLE »

2011 Longoria La Encantada Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., 50 cases, $50. Release May 2013. First vintage from this vineyard. Located directly across the valley from the Longoria estate Fe Ciega Vineyard. Dijon 777. 100% de-stemmed, aged 14 months in 30% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddishpurple color in the glass. Shy fruit on the nose with primarily aromas of forest floor, tarry oak and cigar. Darker berry flavors are featured with hints of tar, earth, animale and tobacco, finishing with a plethora of fruit and length. Good. Reviewed April 13, 2013 ARTICLE »

2011 Longoria Fe Ciega Vineyard Block M Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 53 cases, $60. Release May 2013. The first vintage from a block Rick planted in 2008. It is a 1.25-acre block located on the steepest part of the site and planted to Mt. Eden clone. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Brooding aromas of black plum and black grape. Ambrosial core of dark plum, berry and purple grape flavor with appealing hints of iron and spice. The fruit is striking and it carries over to an unbelievably intense and long blackberry-driven finish. The fine-grain tannins are more reserved in this vintage making the wine very approachable. One of the best wines I have had from this vineyard. Reviewed April 13, 2013 ARTICLE »

2010 Longoria Lovely Rita Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

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 (+). Reviewed February 22, 2012 ARTICLE »

2010 Longoria Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc.,pH 3.58, TA 0.57, 160 cases, $45. 100% de-stemmed. Aged 16 months in 30% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddishpurple color in the glass. A savory wine featuring aromas of cherries, red raspberries, bell pepper and stem. Light and soft in the mouth with delicate tannins, featuring flavors of red fruits, green bell pepper, and green tea leaf. An elegant wine with bright underlain acidity. Harvested at lower Brix and shows it. Good. Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »

2010 Longoria Rancho Santa Rosa Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

15.6% alc., pH 3.63, TA 0.56, 97 cases, $45. Pommard clone. A heat spell in September caused sugar content of grapes to shoot up quickly and the grapes were harvested at a riper level of sugar than usual. 100% de-stemmed. Aged in 35% new French oak barrels. Fined and filtered. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Reserved aromas of dark cherries, very ripe berries, currants and bark. Fruit-driven on the palate, with plenty of wood-toned dark cherry flavor back by pliant tannins and finishing a little boozy (hot). A little more expressive the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Good. Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »

2010 Longoria Fe Ciega Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.69, TA 0.54, 430 cases, $48. 100% de-stemmed and crushed into open top fermenters. Inoculated fermentation averaging 12 days. Aged 15 months in 28% new French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. A more delicate, red fruit themed vintage for this vineyard, yet highly appealing. Enticing aromas of cherries, pie crust, and wood spice. Soft and smooth in the mouth, with enchanting flavors of cherries, raspberries and oak vanillin. Balanced dry tannins and well-honed acidity, finishing with some respectable length. Extremely comforting and easy to like. Very good Reviewed April 13, 2013 ARTICLE »

2009 Longoria Lovely Rita Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., pH 3.52, TA 0.55, 355 cases, $32. A blend of clones 115, 667 and Pommard from the Fe Ciega Vineyard. Since 667 is the most intense and tannic clone, it was fermented in a Ganimedes tank from Italy that uses carbon dioxide created by the fermentation to gently pump over the juice without any breaking of the skins or seeds resulting in softer tannins. The tank also allows peak temperature to be controlled enhancing the aromatics. Aged 11 months in 25% new French oak barrels and aged 6 months in bottle before release. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Appealing perfume of dark berries and plums with a hint of pine, vanillin and spice. Moderately rich in intensity with pleasing array of sweet dark fruits and flavors of mushu plum sauce and slight red licorice and pine pitch. Smooth on the palate with reserved tannins. Highly drinkable now. Good (+). Reviewed July 1, 2011 ARTICLE »

2009 Longoria Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., pH 3.58, TA 0.58, 150 cases, $45. 100% de-stemmed, 4-day cold soak, inoculated fermentation, 18 days on skins, aged 10 months in 30% new French oak barrels. Lightly fine and filtered. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of brier, sage, coffee and mocha. Long in the mouth with tasteful darker berries and cherries that are dominated by oak-driven flavors including coffee and mocha. Smoothly textured with moderate ripe fruit tannins. A little fruitier the following day but still sporting prominent coffee flavor from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Oak should integrate with cellaring, but at this time I can only rate the wine as Decent. Reviewed July 1, 2011 ARTICLE »

2009 Longoria Rancho Santa Rosa Vineyard Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., pH 3.55, TA 0.58, 110 cases, $45. Clone 667. 3-day cold soak, inoculated fermentation, 12% whole clusters in one bin, aged in 30% new French oak barrels. Fined and filtered. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Fruity nose featuring dark red berries and cherries and a hint of oak. Delicious core of discreetly rich strawberry, black raspberry and black cherry fruits with a subtle hint of citrus peel in the background. The most seamless, feminine and satiny wine of the 2009s tasted. Even better the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Ready for current drinking. Very good. Reviewed July 1, 2011 ARTICLE »

2009 Longoria Fe Ciega Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

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. Source: www.longoriawine.com. Reviewed February 22, 2012 ARTICLE »

2008 Longoria Fe Ciega Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.61, 616 cases, $48. Pommard, Dijon 115 and 667. Aged 11 months in 28% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. A savory wine with aromas of berry jam, deeply colored red roses, underbrush, herbs and toasty oak. Plenty of black raspberry and black cherry fruit is front and center with accents of oak and grilled meat. Supple in the mouth with fine grain tannins enrobing the hi-tone fruit that persists with a vengeance on the great finish. Even better the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle with better integration of oak-derived flavors and aromas. This is a wine of character and interest that sings its own tune. Further cellaring should enhance its pleasure. Reviewed December 14, 2010 ARTICLE »

2005 Longoria Fe Ciega Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

770 cases, $48. Rick believes in a diversity of clones and planted Pommard, 115, and 667 here in 1997. · The nose is rich and flamboyant with attractive toast, spice and dark cherry aromas. There is a nice follow through with dusty tannins and a touch of herbalness and oak on the finish. This vineyard produces concentrated fruit, and this wine has what the French call croquent, a concentrated core of flavor much like a crunchy hard candy. Reviewed July 23, 2007 ARTICLE »

2012 Longoria Fe Ciega Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.37, TA 0.64, 326 cases, $48. A blend of clones 115, 667, Pommard and Mt. Eden. 100% de-stemmed, 3-day cold soak, inoculated fermentation, average 12 day fermentation. Aged 14 months in 30% new French oak barrels. Lightly filtered but unfined just before bottling. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Big aromas of blackberry, black plum, peppercorn, spice and subtle contributions from oak. Full flavored, with mid weight purple fruits and Hoison sauce leading the parade. The finish is remarkably intense and persistent. Easy to drink now because of modest tannins, but has the balance to age nicely for several years. One of the most elegant vintages of Fe Ciega that Longoria has produced. Score: 92. Reviewed April 19, 2014 ARTICLE »