There are few better places in Santa Barbara to taste wine. Set in the countryside roughly an hour outside of Santa Barbara, Foxen has two lines of wines – one that focuses on Bordeaux style wines and another that produces Burgundian styles, along with an impressive single vineyard Syrah. With its gorgeous setting, it is no surprise that the movie Sideways decided to film one of their big scenes here. While Foxen has developed considerable prestige for their Pinot Noir, I found their Bordeaux varietal wines to be just as compelling. Superstar winemaker Bill Wathen is absolutely on point with his recent releases. The fact that he can produce incredible Pinot and Bordeaux varietals is really a tribute to the winemaking ability.
Foxen’s winemaking team under Bill Wathen and David Whitehair has been creating incredibly high scoring wines for many years. I've been tasting wines there for more than ten years and I have never been disappointed with a bottling. There is wonderful care and attention to detail in each wine that Bill crafts. Bill's has strived to craft wines that feature the terroir of each vineyard site while having the least amount of intervention possible. The terroir found in the Chardonnays, Pinots and Syrahs is evident. If you are in the Santa Barbara area, a visit to Foxen winery is a must. Learn more about them at http://www.foxenvineyard.com/
Here are some of the fantastic new release wines from Foxen. #foxen #foxenwinery
2014 Foxen Vogelzang Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc- The Sav Blanc is a blend of 70% Clone 1, 30% Musque. It was aged 3 months in neutral oak barrels. This wine has aromas of lychee, pear, and cut grass. There are flavors of pear, red delicious apple and wonderful minerality. A striking effort that is one of the best of its kind. Only 280 cases produced. Drink 2015-2022- 92
2012 Foxen Pajarito- The wine is a blend of Merlot (45%) from the Vogelzang Vineyard and Petit Verdot (55%), from the Grassini Family Vineyard. The wine was aged 22 months in American oak barrels (33% new). The blend has aromas of dill, red bell pepper, and red cherry. There are flavors of dill, sage, red cherry and raspberry. This feminine style wine is rich and has wonderful balance. Only 220 cases made. Drink 2015-2025- 91
2012 Foxen Vogelzang Vineyard Cabernet- The Cabernet was aged 22 months in French oak (Taransaud, 80% new). This polished wine opens with aromas of red cherry, dill and anise. There are flavors of blackberry, anise and great acid structure. The wine is a delight to drink right now but can also cellar for another decade. Drink 2015-2025- 91
2012 Foxen Range 30 West- This was aged 22 months in French oak (Taransaud and Nadalie) prior to bottling. The wine a blend of 60% Merlot with 40% Cab Franc. It opens with aromas of dill, red bell pepper and anise. There are flavors of dill, red bell pepper and red cherry. This is forward and delicious that is hard to resist right now. Drink 2015-2022- 90
2012 Foxen Guillermo Grosso- This is a blend of Sangiovese (50%) and Cabernet (50%). Lovely spicebox and red cherry aromas with oak. There are flavors of dill, raspberry and red cherry with mild tannins. Delicious and open style wine. Drink 2015-2025- 90
2012 Foxen Cabernet Franc- This comes from the Tinaquaic vineyard. This opens with aromas of sage, red bell pepper and red cherry. This has light tannins with flavors of red cherry, raspberry and dill. Delicious and lithe. Drink 2015-2024- 91
2013 Foxen Mission Barbarena Vineyard Port- This has 10.9 residual sugar. There are aromas of methane, red cherry and smoke. Flavors of red cherry, raspberry and has lovely acid structure. Very defined. Drink 2015-2022- 89
2013 Foxen Block UU Bien Naciedo Vineyard Chardonnay- The wine begins with aromas of cut grass, Meyer lemon, and poached pear. There are flavors of pear, golden delicious apple, Mushroom and lemon rind with lovely rich mouthfeel. This impresses with a long finish. Drink 2015-2022- 92
2013 Foxen Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard Chenin Blanc- This is 49 year old vine Chenin Blanc. This has aromas of nutmeg, buttered toast, and pear. Flavors of pear, red delicious apple and lovely minerality with a long cream finish. This has an impressive and rich mouthfeel. Drink 2015-2020- 91
2012 Foxen Tinaquaic Vineyard Chardonnay- This had 25% new French oak. There are intense aromas of toasted hazelnuts, pear and banana. Flavors of pear, Marcona almonds and brioche with a lovely saline streak. The minerality is pronounced and the finish is long and lingering. Drink 2015-2022- 92
2013 Foxen Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir- This comes from Bien Nacido, Riverbench and Solomon Hills vineyards. This has aromas of nutmeg, dill and red cherry. This leads to flavors of red cherry, dill and raspberry. This has a wonderful minerality. Drink 2015-2022- 92
2012 Foxen John Sebastiano Vineyard Pinot Noir-This has aromas of black cherry, mushroom and raspberry. This has flavors of mushroom, black raspberry, black cherry and black tea. This is rich and layered. Drink 2015-2024- 93
2012 Foxen Block 43 Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir- Dijon clones 667 and 777. Perfumed aromas of rose petals, black cherry, and black truffle. Flavors of black cherry, pomegranate and mushroom. This is every bit outstanding with a rich and lovely mouthfeel. Drink 2015-2024- 93
2012 Foxen Block 8 Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir- This comes from the highest point in the vineyard in the south section in the vineyard. It has aromas if rose petals, red cherry, dill and raspberry. There are flavors of raspberry, red cherry and dill in this feminine style wine. Fruity and delicious. The minerality and saline accents are wonderful. Drink 2015-2024- 92
2012 Foxen Solomon Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir- This was planted in 1997 and is on the far west side of the AVA that is a north to south facing vineyard. This has aromas of nutmeg, black cherry and raspberry. There are flavors of red cherry, pomegranate and wonderful acidity. This has good balance and richness. Drink 2015-2025- 93
2013 Foxen Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir- This vineyard designate is owned by Cambria. It is 100% Pommard clone. The Pinot has aromas of nutmeg, cherry cola and raspberry. This has flavors of red cherry, raspberry in this fruity and delicious effort. Drink 2015-2023- 92
2006 Foxen Pinot Noir- This is one of their library release wines. This wine has aromas of prune, red cherry and raspberry. This has flavors of red cherry, prune, raspberry and nutmeg. This is still alive and kicking. Drink 2015-2018- 92
2012 Foxen Timaquaic Vineyard Syrah- This was code emended w about 5% Viognier. It has aromas of smoked meats, orange rind, blackberry and creosote. Flavors of blackberry, orange rind, black cherry and anise. Drink 2015-2022- 92