Today we share one of the greats out of Santa Barbara County. Foxen is a family-run winery that produces world class Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. 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 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 visited Foxen back in 2003 and I’ve been so impressed with the consistency of their wines. Don’t miss out on their brilliant new 2020 Foxen ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard Block UU’ Chardonnay (OB, 94) which possesses marvelous salinity. Even better was the scintillating 2022 Foxen Block 8 Bien Nacido Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is dense and heady from this warmer vintage. 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 outstanding 2022 ‘Block UU’ Chardonnay was stored for eight months in roughly 30% new French oak puncheons before bottling. This is gorgeous stuff with starfruit, salty diatomaceous earth, ripe nectarine and freshly cut limes. Smooth and silky, with great depth and concentration, enjoy now and over the next eight years to come. Drink 2025-2033- 94
2023 Foxen ‘Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard’ Chenin Blanc- The really good 2023 Foxen ‘Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard’ Chenin Blanc comes from vines planted many decades back. This shows copious minerals on the palate, with papaya and white grapefruit zest alongside kumquat rind flavors. Fresh, novel and wonderfully salty, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2032- 92
2022 Foxen ‘Santa Maria Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Santa Maria Valley’ was mainly sourced from the Bien Nacido Vineyard. The wine was aged for 10 months in neutral oak barrels, this shows a smooth mouthfeel, loaded with juicy strawberry and Bing cherry flavors with orange zest and salty minerals on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2032- 93
2022 Foxen ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard- Block 8’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Foxen ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard- ‘Block 8’ Pinot Noir comes from a range of clonal selections. Stored for 16 months in 30% new French oak before bottling this is deep and concentrated stuff, loaded with bright red and dark fruits, with salty stones, menthol and shades of orange peel on the palate. Showing beautiful tension and depth, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 95
2022 Foxen ‘John Sebastiano Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Foxen ‘John Sebastiano Vineyard’ Pinot Noir utilizes Dijon 667, Swan and Pommard Pinot Noir. Rich and smooth, this delivers black cherry and black raspberry notes on the palate, with serious texture and verve. Big, bold and full-bodied, with beautiful salty nuance and excellent length, enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 95
2022 Foxen ‘Tinaquaic VIneyard’ Syrah- The stunning 2022 Foxen ‘Tinaquaic VIneyard’ Syrah was mostly sourced from the Bajita Block of this vineyard which utilizes Syrah Clone 470. Inky in the glass, this reveals beautiful smoky and stony tones on the nose with Hoisin sauce, smoked brisket and wild blackberry puree flavors, with salty accents. This is going to cellar really well. Drink 2025-2040- 95
2021 Foxen ‘7200’ Cabernet Franc- Coming from the Tinaquaic Vineyard, this 2021 Cabernet Franc is rich and decadent on the palate, with loganberry liquor flavors that mingle well with salty soils, red bell pepper, dusty earth and milk chocolate notes. Full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next seven years. Drink 2025-2032- 92