WTN: Longoria, Robert Craig, Vina Tondonia, and Clos Du Val

Late night with some friends. Great Dinner at Mulvaney's Restaurant in Sacramento! Great wine-and they were very kind about corkage.

Longoria Sta Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2005? Brought by my friend Joe. Lovely wine, enough to make me abate my dislike of California Pinots. Sure, there is that cherry cola flavor, but the mouthfeel, lightness, and earthy notes overcome that. A nice wine indeed!

2005 Robert Craig Affinity Bordeaux Blend. Brought by our friend Steve. Decanted at the restaURANT. Very pleasant blend, with good acid, herbal notes, black fruit. No nasty raw bell pepper dominating this wine. Good mouth feel! Quite nice.

1998 Lopez de Herredia Rioja Riserva Vina Tondonia. Light ruby=black in color. Decanted for a couple of hours at the restaurant and at home before. Yum. Cellartracker comments talk about the bracing acidity and sour cherry flavors, along with the hint of caramel. I found all of that in this wine, and I found it deliciously refreshing. Oak is well integrated, great earthyness providing a base to the sour cherry. I really like this "type" of wine-acid, light refreshing, even astringent. Not cheap ($high 30s) but well worth it.

2001 Clos Du Val Reserve cabernet Sauvignon. Decanted at home and at the restaurant. This was, to be honest, a stunning Cabernet. Good tannins still providing a backbone but not obtrusive in any way. Delicious black cassis fruit with a delicious leather and tobacco flavor contributing some complexity. Rich without being sickeningly sweet or over the top at all! Great acidity and structure. Quite pricey, but this is yet another 2001 luxury Napa cab that showed mighty fine. Delicious-better than most of the cult cabs that are getting all of the press!!

1998 Lopez de Herredia Rioja Riserva Vina Tondonia. Light ruby=black in color. Decanted for a couple of hours at the restaurant and at home before. Yum. Cellartracker comments talk about the bracing acidity and sour cherry flavors, along with the hint of caramel. I found all of that in this wine, and I found it deliciously refreshing. Oak is well integrated, great earthyness providing a base to the sour cherry. I really like this "type" of wine-acid, light refreshing, even astringent. Not cheap ($high 30s) but well worth it.

Brian,

not that I'm a Spainophile (anything but, really), but Lopez Heredia is my favorite producer in Rioja. What wonderfully authentic wines they make!

I think the Lopez de Herredia is a bargain considering the quality. Bob Craig is a friend, he's made some very good wines.

I enjoyed the Tondonia quite a bit, obviously (Actually, there was not a bad wine the entire evening). I hope JV Wines still has some left. I think they sold off all their stock of 1982 Bosconia from earlier this year

Back Room wines has 1994 Campillo in stock. I've always been "suspicious" of Spanish wine (as well as being overwhelmed by all the styles ande regions and grapes), but I am new convert!