I bought three bottles of this wine way back in 2011 at the winery. That was before I started this blog, and a few years before my now ten year-old learned how to ride a bike. The first two bottles were evidently less than stellar since I did not write a note for the first one and the second was corked. Such is life, I guess, in the wine appreciation “biz.” This bottle, though? Whoa. Stellar from the jump, which is what I expected from one of the legends of Santa Rita Hills (the first vintage was in 1982). Although I have never met Richard Longoria, tasting this wine makes me want to jump in a Saab and drive to his doorstep. Eucalyptus and black cherry dominate the nose with hints of black earth and anise. The palate is simply luscious: great fruit, plenty of depth, and a finish that would linger until the closing credits. Outstanding. thedrunkencyclist.com
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shared with pat at selkirk manor to celebrate the end of the work week. this bottle had languished in the cellar waiting for an opportunity to share with pinot loving friends which never arose. lack of feedback from other tasters also contributed to this bottle having been forgotten. the wine proved to have outlived it's projected longevity. flavor profile also improved since last when last tasted 6/2014. availability of proper glassware may have contributed somewhat but developmental evolution of the wine over time cannot be discounted. the wine shows greater balance than before with more fruit evident. no green pepper this time. this wine demonstrates that california pinot is capable of ageing gracefully. even moreso, considering that this was a half bottle. overall, an enjoyable experience. would buy this again in a recent vintage. need to explore other st. rita hills producers as well.
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wow - I had feared this stuff was over the hill but it was still delightful today. Perhaps not quite as good as at it peak, but still very very nice. It is aging gracefully, with the fruit showing strong for about 15-20 minutes after opening but then fading back to a really rich and balanced experience after that. Yeah, I'd open it soon if you have it - but you don't need to race to the cellar... I'm kicking the "drink by" date out to 2016 even though this was my last one... Enjoy!
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Drinking great now. Strawberry, mushroom and a hint of kirsch on the nose. Fruit forward, but definitely on the balanced, red fruited side of the line. Well-resolved structure, again fresh strawberry and cherry on the attack with a rounded mid-palate. Finishes with mushroom and integrated oak flavors (spicy, gentle sweet tannin). Everything in place, and a long clean finish. I don't see much upside in further aging, as the fruit may begin losing some of its freshness in the near future.
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Pat and i brought this to have with Marty and Sandy at their home after enjoying dinner at The Poached Pear in Point Pleasant. Marty chose to serve this in a cordial glass which may have thrown off the flavor profile. I picked up mostly green pepper which I would not expect in a pinot. Have to say this was not to my liking. But, given the circumstances I can not consider this a final judgment.
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Dark ruby color with beautiful notes of black cherry, raspberry, and fresh turned earth. The palate is lovely with a very nice balance and an acidity that makes the wine fantastic with food. The finish is fantastic and leaves you wanting the next sip. Overall a very good, beautifully balanced pinot noir.
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Cherry preserves, wilted roses, strawberry licorice on the nose. This has fresh, pure, and supple cherry and strawberry flavors, and plenty of acidity yet. I like the verve here, and the depth belies the ripeness on the nose--more than meets the eye.
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Very nice Pinot. Not over the top. Decanted for 30 min. Nicly perfumed nose. A bit tight still on the palate. A bit of spice picked up in the mouth. Should improve over the next two or three years. I noticed a toasty oak finish. Should further integrate but will have oak on the finish for the foreseeable future. I thought of Vincent Giradin Red Burgs when I tasted this. Both have that oaky taste, but not overbearing. Great cellartracker S.S. Gift. Thanks Grayfont!
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interesting nose of plum and chocolate. the palate is a let down because its tight but shows some bright fruit. not much else. should be good in a few years.
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Still that big black cherry nose, earthy and nice Herbs de Provence, some cola undertones. Tannins start in somewhat clayey, but evolve to more feldspathic minerals. Finish could be a little more brooding, but the acidity and balance is so nice that can be eschewed. As oxidizes, becoming laden with freshly foraged fungi, almost annoying so by end of bottle. Great on the cooler side of serving temp. Don't hold this one too long; drinking wonderfully now. 90/B = 50/5/14/8/7/6
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What a sexy wine - - luxurious in the mouth and yet remarkably full bodied for a pinot. The fruit is there, and it is still fresh, but the supporting cast of mushroom and cola notes are just as prominent. Really, though, the flavor profile isn't what this wine is all about -- to me, it's all about that mouthfeel and body. This is an absolute favorite!
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Black ruby, full to edge yet with clarity. Wet, earthy tone and black cherry and blackberry. Great balance, mouthfeel is slightly acidic, but the brightness really hang around through the finish which is full on red raspberry, hint of apricot skin and oak. Was better on the youthful side of oxidation, surprisingly. 91/B+ = 50/5/13/7/8/8
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A night at Harvest Vine (Seattle, WA): Slow ox'd 45 minutes or so. Dark garnet with some clearing around the rim. Rich nose with red fruit and spicy orange peel. Full bodied wine. Powerful and complex palate with some oaky notes, but well integrated with black raspberry, bing cherry and even a little root beer laced with anise. Good acidity permeates throughout and the finish is long and accentuated by silky tannins.
A great example of a fully modern Pinot which is in balance. A big expression of the grape, but tasty and complex.
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Cool, damp vineyard floor with soft macerated black cherry on this nose, little rosewater. Red currant and under ripe strawberry fill the palate, and hints of leather, truffle, and cola playing backup. Tannins very smooth and integrated. Long finish for a pinot, black cherry, some damp meadow aromatics, hint of nutmeg. Finish concluded a bit mineral; it is neither sweet nor dry, just balanced perfection. Dark ruby body fading gently to the meniscus, coupled with the broad, yet adolescent palate – this one is still a bit young. 91 now, 92+ in another 1-2 years. 91/B+ = 50/5/12/8/9/8
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Popped one of these last night - wanted to see what the "sea smoke" hype was all about. Very rich and full bodied. Nice berry fruit and deep "Pinot" nose. Probably should have decanted
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Wow. Really delicious with more substance than usual for a pinot. this wine has amazing texture - it's smooth but also can be felt all over the mouth. a huge winner.
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Clos Pepe, Cold Heaven and Longoria (Santa Ynez Valley): Seems to be opening up. Shows mushroom and a definite spiciness. Full bodied and rich. Complex with firm structure. Plenty of fruit here, but not showing the baked edge to it I found in the '06. This looks like it'll get really good soon.
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Opened and poured, this wine showed beautiful aromatics of black cherry, spice, floral and subtle earth notes. The color is medium ruby to purple. The medium bodied palate shows balance and medium weight tannins make an appearance on the finish. This is currently youthful and somewhat primary. A year or two of additional bottle age should allow this wine to show its best.
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12/9/2018 - The Drunken Cyclist wrote: 94 Points
I bought three bottles of this wine way back in 2011 at the winery. That was before I started this blog, and a few years before my now ten year-old learned how to ride a bike. The first two bottles were evidently less than stellar since I did not write a note for the first one and the second was corked. Such is life, I guess, in the wine appreciation “biz.” This bottle, though? Whoa. Stellar from the jump, which is what I expected from one of the legends of Santa Rita Hills (the first vintage was in 1982). Although I have never met Richard Longoria, tasting this wine makes me want to jump in a Saab and drive to his doorstep. Eucalyptus and black cherry dominate the nose with hints of black earth and anise. The palate is simply luscious: great fruit, plenty of depth, and a finish that would linger until the closing credits. Outstanding. thedrunkencyclist.com
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2/10/2018 - bacchus wrote: 90 Points
shared with pat at selkirk manor to celebrate the end of the work week. this bottle had languished in the cellar waiting for an opportunity to share with pinot loving friends which never arose. lack of feedback from other tasters also contributed to this bottle having been forgotten. the wine proved to have outlived it's projected longevity. flavor profile also improved since last when last tasted 6/2014. availability of proper glassware may have contributed somewhat but developmental evolution of the wine over time cannot be discounted. the wine shows greater balance than before with more fruit evident. no green pepper this time. this wine demonstrates that california pinot is capable of ageing gracefully. even moreso, considering that this was a half bottle. overall, an enjoyable experience. would buy this again in a recent vintage. need to explore other st. rita hills producers as well.
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12/27/2015 - Minnesota wrote: 93 Points
Lovely, rather "blew the socks off" 2007 Rochioli Little Hill that preceded.
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4/10/2015 - grayfont Likes this wine: 91 Points
wow - I had feared this stuff was over the hill but it was still delightful today. Perhaps not quite as good as at it peak, but still very very nice. It is aging gracefully, with the fruit showing strong for about 15-20 minutes after opening but then fading back to a really rich and balanced experience after that. Yeah, I'd open it soon if you have it - but you don't need to race to the cellar... I'm kicking the "drink by" date out to 2016 even though this was my last one... Enjoy!
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1/6/2015 - wbduval Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking nicely
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11/30/2014 - Cabfrancophile Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking great now. Strawberry, mushroom and a hint of kirsch on the nose. Fruit forward, but definitely on the balanced, red fruited side of the line. Well-resolved structure, again fresh strawberry and cherry on the attack with a rounded mid-palate. Finishes with mushroom and integrated oak flavors (spicy, gentle sweet tannin). Everything in place, and a long clean finish. I don't see much upside in further aging, as the fruit may begin losing some of its freshness in the near future.
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6/28/2014 - bacchus wrote: 89 Points
Pat and i brought this to have with Marty and Sandy at their home after enjoying dinner at The Poached Pear in Point Pleasant. Marty chose to serve this in a cordial glass which may have thrown off the flavor profile. I picked up mostly green pepper which I would not expect in a pinot. Have to say this was not to my liking. But, given the circumstances I can not consider this a final judgment.
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3/22/2014 - halfred Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent wine, no issues with proper aging, very nice
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11/27/2012 - jnewman77 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark ruby color with beautiful notes of black cherry, raspberry, and fresh turned earth. The palate is lovely with a very nice balance and an acidity that makes the wine fantastic with food. The finish is fantastic and leaves you wanting the next sip. Overall a very good, beautifully balanced pinot noir.
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11/3/2012 - VAD wrote: 92 Points
exceptional pinot. Drinking very well right now. Smoot.
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4/10/2012 - FieldingYost wrote: 92 Points
Cherry preserves, wilted roses, strawberry licorice on the nose. This has fresh, pure, and supple cherry and strawberry flavors, and plenty of acidity yet. I like the verve here, and the depth belies the ripeness on the nose--more than meets the eye.
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12/25/2011 - wallstreet wrote: 90 Points
Very nice Pinot. Not over the top. Decanted for 30 min. Nicly perfumed nose. A bit tight still on the palate. A bit of spice picked up in the mouth. Should improve over the next two or three years. I noticed a toasty oak finish. Should further integrate but will have oak on the finish for the foreseeable future. I thought of Vincent Giradin Red Burgs when I tasted this. Both have that oaky taste, but not overbearing. Great cellartracker S.S. Gift. Thanks Grayfont!
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12/3/2011 - Uglypinga wrote:
interesting nose of plum and chocolate. the palate is a let down because its tight but shows some bright fruit. not much else. should be good in a few years.
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10/8/2011 - grayfont wrote: 93 Points
still drinking amazingly well. see prior notes for details. How will I ever find the patience to wait a decent amount of time on my last 2 bottles?
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10/6/2011 - VAD wrote: 91 Points
Excellent wine. Smooth and great fruit.
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9/12/2011 - Xfactor wrote: 90 Points
Still that big black cherry nose, earthy and nice Herbs de Provence, some cola undertones. Tannins start in somewhat clayey, but evolve to more feldspathic minerals. Finish could be a little more brooding, but the acidity and balance is so nice that can be eschewed. As oxidizes, becoming laden with freshly foraged fungi, almost annoying so by end of bottle. Great on the cooler side of serving temp. Don't hold this one too long; drinking wonderfully now. 90/B = 50/5/14/8/7/6
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7/30/2011 - grayfont wrote: 93 Points
What a sexy wine - - luxurious in the mouth and yet remarkably full bodied for a pinot. The fruit is there, and it is still fresh, but the supporting cast of mushroom and cola notes are just as prominent. Really, though, the flavor profile isn't what this wine is all about -- to me, it's all about that mouthfeel and body. This is an absolute favorite!
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7/14/2011 - Xfactor wrote: 91 Points
Black ruby, full to edge yet with clarity. Wet, earthy tone and black cherry and blackberry. Great balance, mouthfeel is slightly acidic, but the brightness really hang around through the finish which is full on red raspberry, hint of apricot skin and oak. Was better on the youthful side of oxidation, surprisingly. 91/B+ = 50/5/13/7/8/8
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5/22/2011 - Anthony Lombardi wrote:
A night at Harvest Vine (Seattle, WA): Slow ox'd 45 minutes or so. Dark garnet with some clearing around the rim. Rich nose with red fruit and spicy orange peel. Full bodied wine. Powerful and complex palate with some oaky notes, but well integrated with black raspberry, bing cherry and even a little root beer laced with anise. Good acidity permeates throughout and the finish is long and accentuated by silky tannins.
A great example of a fully modern Pinot which is in balance. A big expression of the grape, but tasty and complex.
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5/20/2011 - Xfactor wrote: 91 Points
Cool, damp vineyard floor with soft macerated black cherry on this nose, little rosewater. Red currant and under ripe strawberry fill the palate, and hints of leather, truffle, and cola playing backup. Tannins very smooth and integrated. Long finish for a pinot, black cherry, some damp meadow aromatics, hint of nutmeg. Finish concluded a bit mineral; it is neither sweet nor dry, just balanced perfection. Dark ruby body fading gently to the meniscus, coupled with the broad, yet adolescent palate – this one is still a bit young. 91 now, 92+ in another 1-2 years. 91/B+ = 50/5/12/8/9/8
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5/14/2011 - RCS73 wrote: 92 Points
Popped one of these last night - wanted to see what the "sea smoke" hype was all about. Very rich and full bodied. Nice berry fruit and deep "Pinot" nose. Probably should have decanted
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5/11/2011 - mikeaukenbals wrote: 92 Points
Meadows' notes are spot on, though i give it higher score. Drinking great now, but will get better.
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4/6/2011 - grayfont wrote: 92 Points
Wow. Really delicious with more substance than usual for a pinot. this wine has amazing texture - it's smooth but also can be felt all over the mouth. a huge winner.
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2/5/2011 - Cabfrancophile wrote:
Clos Pepe, Cold Heaven and Longoria (Santa Ynez Valley): Seems to be opening up. Shows mushroom and a definite spiciness. Full bodied and rich. Complex with firm structure. Plenty of fruit here, but not showing the baked edge to it I found in the '06. This looks like it'll get really good soon.
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8/31/2010 - sehill Likes this wine: 91 Points
Another fine showing for this wine. This gives a similar impression to previously tasted bottles.
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7/18/2010 - sehill Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opened and poured, this wine showed beautiful aromatics of black cherry, spice, floral and subtle earth notes. The color is medium ruby to purple. The medium bodied palate shows balance and medium weight tannins make an appearance on the finish. This is currently youthful and somewhat primary. A year or two of additional bottle age should allow this wine to show its best.
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