I love family wineries that exude class. Foxen is one of the outstanding producers in Santa Barbara. Set in the rolling hills, if you have never visited Foxen, you are in for a treat. Foxen has two distinct lines of wines – one that focuses on Bordeaux style wines and another that produces Burgundian styles, along with an some gorgeous single vineyard Syrah. Sideways decided to film one of their big scenes here but even after that exposure Foxen remains one of the hidden gems of the valley.
I first tasted here in 2003 and has been immensely impressed with the overall quality of wines since that time. Foxen has gained a national reputation for world class Pinot Noir but their Bordeaux wines are also very impressive. I adored the 2018 Foxen ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard Block UU’ Chardonnay (OB, 94) which is dense and beautifully textured with amazing range. . Even better was the scintillating 2014 Foxen Block 8 Bien Nacido Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is a true heavy hitter of a wine, that shows inanely good range and gorgeous charcuterie notes. Learn more about these outstanding wines at http://www.foxenvineyard.com/ Here are some of the fantastic new release wines from Foxen.
2018 Foxen ‘Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard’ Chenin Blanc- Always a novel wine for the region, the 2018 ‘Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard’ Chenin Blanc shows Juicy Fruit gum and cantaloupe flavors that mingle with minerals, salted cashew nuts and a silky texture. This finishes long. Great to enjoy right now, this will cellar well over the next five to seven years. Drink 2020-2027- 92
2019 Foxen ‘Tinaquaic Vineyard 5 Rows’ Chardonnay- Bright pear and green apple tones alongside white florals and salted Marcona almond tones all impress on the nose. The palate is soft, with a pillowy texture. Great acidity and rich nectarine and Pink Lady apple flavors are woven together with grassy and melon undertones. Drink 2020-2027- 92
2018 Foxen ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard Block UU’ Chardonnay- The terroir here is undeniable as one whiff and you’ll grab a wonderfully salty ocean breeze. Ripe peaches and Japanese pear tones are woven together with minerals, salty terroir, banana and salted Macadamia nut on the palate. The unctuous texture and wonderful length add to the enjoyment, as the 2018 ‘UU Block’ is an utterly sensational wine with some good aging potential. Drink 2020-2030- 94
2018 Foxen ‘Santa Maria Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 Foxen ‘Santa Maria Valley’ Pinot Noir is a killer entry level bottling from this famed house. Once on the nose this shows pretty red florals woven together with tobacco leaf, Bing cherry and salted charcuterie tones that all meld in the glass. The palate is silky smooth, with an amazing combination of texture and verve. Guava and red cherry candy mingle with shades of pomegranate seed and orange rind with baking spices on the palate. Gorgeous in its youth, this beautiful wine has at least a decade of life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2017 Foxen ‘Block 8 Bien Nacido Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from this famed site in the Santa Maria Valley, the ‘Block 8’ was used in 3 and 4 year old oak barrels before bottling. Wonderfully salty terroir immediately creates its impact on the nose alongside ripe strawberry and wintergreen tones that march in union. The palate is seamless and silky smooth. Ripe red fruit flavors collide with minerals and salty undertones, with exceedingly good length. Juicy and downright delicious to savor in its youth this beautiful wine will cellar well for the next fifteen years. Drink 2020-2033- 95
2017 Foxen ‘John Sebastiano Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Fabulous, flamboyant and downright sexy, the 2017 ‘John Sebastiano Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is a crazy good effort by the talented Foxen winemaking team. Immediately you are drawn to the cranberry and pomegranate seed tones that mingle with fennel and baking spices and salted meats that show seriously good aromatic range. The palate is silky and elegant, with a wonderful feeling of weightlessness. Ripe red currants, wild strawberry and red cherry candy flavors mingle with minerals and salty undertones. Complex and delicious to enjoy now, this beautiful wine will cellar well over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2020-2033- 95
2017 Foxen ‘Cuvee Jeanne Marie’ Red Wine- The 2017 ‘Cuvee Jeanne Marie’ is a unique blend of 70% Grenache with 30% Mourvedre that was sourced from the Williamson-Dore Vineyard. Smoky tones mingle with white pepper, lavender, Hoisin sauce and rich dark fruits with chocolate undertones on this complex bouquet. The palate is soft and round with a terrific mouthfeel and texture. Bright red and dark fruits collide with smoked brisket, bacon fat and creme de violette. This is gorgeous to enjoy now and will cellar well for at least another ten years. Drink 2020-2033- 93
2018 Foxen ‘Tinaquaic Vineyard’ Syrah- Sourced from this older, dry-farmed site in the Santa Maria Valley, the 2018 ‘Tinaquaic Vineyard’ Syrah shows smoked meats and lavender tones on the nose alongside blackberry compote and creosote. The palate is soft and elegant with a pillowy mouthfeel. A deep core of dark fruits mingle with milk chocolate, garrigue and smoky tones on the palate. Gorgeous to enjoy in its youth, this has at least another decade ahead of it. Drink 2020-2032- 93
2017 Foxen ‘Tinaquaic Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc- The herbal tones provide plenty of allure here, with boysenberry tones alongside bell pepper and dried sage on this beautiful nose. The palate is soft, round and generous. Layers of dark fruits mingle with coffee grounds and the beautiful herbal tones of the wine. This finishes very long. Gorgeous in its youth, this will cellar well over the next decade or more. Drink 2020-2033- 93
2017 Foxen 7200 ‘Los Poteros’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Los Poteros’ Cabernet Sauvignon is ripe and generous once on the mouth. Layers of blackberry compote, espresso bean, black tea and exotic spices all impress on the palate. Sensational already at the three year mark, this will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2020-2032- 92