2006 Ojai Pinot Noir Fe Ciega Vineyard- USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills - Sta. Rita Hills (4/23/2011)
Popped and poured. Full garnet color with a bit of a sheen to it. Very fragrant, concentrated notes of raspberry and cherry on the nose, along with a mossy earthiness and honey candied note. Lithe and silky on the palate with lots of pure red fruit and touches of baking and eastern spice. Balanced acids and dusty tannins through the middle and finish. Finishes with spice notes of medium length. I’d like to see if any of that earthiness from the bouquet developed on the palate with a little more bottle age. Very nice. (91 pts.)
I did not know Fe Ciega sold fruit. Doesn’t Longoria own it? I walked that vineyard 7 years ago, and it looked like just 2 acres worth. The location was fantastic. But I’ve never had a wine from the vineyard. Thanks for the note!
Roy- not sure who owns it, but now that you mention it I think Longoria is the only other Fe Ciega I’ve seen out there. Was the vineyard closer to 246 or to Santa Rosa Road?
I think it’s owned by a couple who aren’t otherwise in the wine business, but Rick Longoria developed the vineyard parcel and controls the farming. It’s on the Santa Rosa Road side of the SRH, a bit to the east of Cargasacchi and right above Sweeney Canyon.
Yep, Longoria and Tolmach are old school SBC guys. I think that goes a long way towards explaining fruit sold to Ojai Vineyard from such a small and precious site.
Here is a photo of the Fe Ciega vineyard. It’s taken from near Cargassachi vineyard and is looking east. Down below, you can see a bit of Sweeney Canyon. Mount Carmel is in the upper left.
