Today we share one of the brilliant producers of Santa Barbara County. 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 really impressive and novel 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. These wines are all priced under seventy dollars, making their lineup filled with killer values.
Don’t miss out on the 2020 Foxen ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard Block UU’ Chardonnay (OB, 94) which shows thrilling flavor and aromatic range. Even better was the scintillating 2019 Foxen Block 8 Bien Nacido Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is wonderfully salty and earthy. Learn more about these outstanding wines at http://www.foxenvineyard.com/ Here are some of the fantastic new release wines from Foxen.
2020 Foxen ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard Block UU’ Chardonnay- The ‘UU Block’ combines Clone 4 and RY17 selections, as this was stored in 29% new French oak before bottling. The wine comes off marvelously salty from the terroir. Toasty oak and marshmallow hints combine with lemon meringue, roasted almond and baked pear pastry notes. Utterly delicious now, consume this beautiful new Chardonnay over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 94
2019 Foxen ‘Santa Rita Valley’ Pinot Noir- An entry level bottling with serious class, the 2019 Foxen ‘Santa Rita Valley’ Pinot Noir comes from mostly the Riverbench Vineyard (75%) with the remainder from the Bien Nacido Vineyard. Very fresh and lithe, with a polished texture, the Pinot Noir reveals pretty cranberry and guava fruits that collide with smoky minerals on the palate. Enjoy over the next seven plus years. Drink 2022-2029- 93
2019 Foxen ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard Block 8’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from Dijon clones, 113 and 115 as well as Mt. Eden, Pommard and Wadenswil clonal selections, the wine was stored for sixteen months in 228L French oak puncheons (30% new) prior to bottling. Very salty and earthy on the nose, this reveals sandy soils, peat moss and rich boysenberry tones. The palate is silky and elegant, as this dazzles on the mid-palate, showing good concentration and finesse. Drink 2022-2037- 95
2019 Foxen ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard Block 43’ Pinot Noir- The sensational 2019 Foxen ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard Block 43’ Pinot Noir utilizes Dijon clonal selections 667 and 777. It is chalk-filled of finesse, with beautiful red and dark fruits that parade with cardamom, freshly tilled loamy soils and suggestions of soy sauce dusted oyster mushroom. Complex and delicious, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 95
2019 Foxen ‘Julia’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 100% Pommard clone 2019 ‘Julia’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes form this site in the Santa Maria Valley. The nose is wonderfully fragrant with red rose petals and exotic spices that combine with tart red fruit tones. The palate shows good weight and tension, effortlessly gliding throughout the drinking experience. The pillowy texture entices, as this is best consumed over the next ten to twelve years. Drink 2022-2033- 95
2019 Foxen ‘John Sebastiano Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from this site in the Santa Rita Hills, the 2019 Foxen ‘John Sebastiano Vineyard’ Pinot Noir utilizes Dijon clone 667 and Swan clonal selections. A light whiff of black truffle really enthralls, as wild blackberry and shades of salmonberry all come together on the nose. The palate is soft and beautifully textured, showing excellent weight and bright acidity backing everything up. Drink this beauty over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 95
2019 Foxen ‘Williamson-Dore Vineyard’ Syrah- Truly one of the great Syrahs made in this region, the 2019 Foxen ‘Williamson-Dore Vineyard’ Syrah has 5% Viognier co-fermented. Stored in French and Hungarian oak (33% new), this offers white pepper dusted bacon, lavender, and potpourri tones that combine with bulls blood accents. The palate shows serious weight and finesse, with a brilliant core of black fruits. Highly nuanced, and irresistible to consume now, enjoy over the next ten to twelve years. But why wait? Drink 2022-2033- 95