Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/518118
70 / the tasting panel / june 2015 88 Oxford Landing Estates 2013 Merlot, South Australia ($9) Smooth and juicy with bright plum and blackberry; fresh, balanced and lush with charm and good length. NEGOCIANTS USA 88 Les Dauphins 2013 Côtes du Rhône Réserve, France ($13) Dark ruby color ; smooth, lush and rich with tangy acidity, spice and ripe blackberry; round and dense, long and earthy. MONSIEUR TOUTON SELECTION/ PLUME RIDGE WINE 88 Madison Ridge 2014 Shale Line Shiraz, South Eastern Australia ($13) Smooth and ripe with lush berry fruit, earth and spice; juicy, balanced and long. WINE TREES BLUE REVIEWS RICK LONGORIA IS ONE of Santa Barbara's most influential and pioneering vintners. Serving as winemaker at J. Carey and later at The Gainey Vineyard, Rick and his wife, Diana, established their eponymous label in 1982, making small lots of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay—the two varietals that since have put Santa Barbara wine country on the map. By 1997 Rick was able to devote himself full time to Longoria, which moved into an industrial building in Lompoc, the first winery in what is now known as "the wine ghetto." Longoria's estate vineyard, Fe Ceiga, was planted in 1998. In March, I attended a Longoria tasting at Craft restaurant in Los Angeles, where recent releases showed beautifully. The tasting also included a few stunning older vintages of Longoria's Sta. Rita Hills–sourced Pinot Noir, which had grown even more lovely with bottle age. 92 Longoria Wines 2012 Chardonnay, Rita's Crown Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills ($50) Malolactic and sur lie fermentation creates a smooth, balanced, and silky Chardonnay with bright fruit, racy acidity and crisp mouthfeel. 90 Longoria Wines 2014 Albariño, Clover Creek Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley ($25) An aromatic nose leads to juicy and crisp fruit flavors; well- defined and complex. 88 Longoria Wines 2012 Tempranillo, Clover Creek Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley ($36) Inspired by the wines of Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Spicy, smooth and balanced with charming vanilla tones and a fresh finish. 89 Longoria Wines 2013 Lovely Rita Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills ($32) A lively and balanced cuvée of four clonesDijon 115 and 667, Mt. Eden and Pommard—from the estate Fe Ceiga Vineyard. Aromatic and fresh. 92 Longoria Wines 2012 Pinot Noir, La Encantada Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills ($50) The second Longoria Pinot from Richard Sanford's La Encantada Vineyard. Meaty and savory; fresh and balanced with great charm and length. 93 Longoria Wines 2013 Pinot Noir, Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills ($50) The first vintage of Sanford & Benedict Pinot from Longoria since 2006. Silky, juicy, racy and crisp; tangy, fresh and lifted. 89 Longoria Wines 2013 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Block N, Santa Maria Valley ($50) From the most coveted block of Pinot in the celebrated Bien Nacido Vineyard, planted to the heritage Martini clone. Smooth and round with clean, fresh varietal flavors; dense, balanced, and long. 92 Longoria Wines 2012 Pinot Noir, Fe Ciega Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills ($55) From Longoria's own estate vineyard. Deep ruby color ; tangy, dense and rich with nice depth of ripe cherry and black raspberry. Longoria: A Santa Barbara Pioneer Rick Longoria. PHOTO COURTESY OF LONGORIA