Foxen - California
Follow Foxen Canyon Road deep into the Santa Barbara wine country to the historical Rancho Tinaquaic, and you will find Foxen Vineyard and Winery. Their tasting rooms are situated on 2,000 acres of beautiful California ranch land. Visit their original location, lovingly known as “The Shack”, to see where it all began, and experience the rustic side of Foxen. Just up the road lies their new Solar-Powered winery and FOXEN tasting room. Visiting both locations tells the full story and gives you the essence of what makes them uniquely and distinctively FOXEN.
Website: www.foxenvineyard.com
The Wines
Chenin Blanc Ernesto Wickenden Vyd
This 3-acre vineyard in the heart of the Santa Maria Bench was planted 43 years ago, and was named after Dick’s great uncle, Ernesto Wickenden. The wine is bright and lively, and displays notes of citrus, pear and melon, with a long, clean “minerally” finish.
Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vyd Block UU
Beautiful tropical and citrus aromas are followed by a rich full mouthfeel and flavors of grapefruit, pineapple and mango–with notes of minerality and just a hint of toasty vanilla. Bright acidity beautifully balances the richness of the mouthfeel.
Pinot Noir Santa Maria
Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, scented of violets, cinnamon stick and Ceylon tea over a core of red cherries and raspberries, plus a hint of dried Provence herbs. The light to medium-bodied palate offers up a fantastic intensity of perfumed red berries supported by soft, silky tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing with a lovely herbal lift.
Pinot Noir Julia’s Vyd
Fresh cranberry and black raspberry show on the nose of this bottling that also offers black-pepper sauce, savory soy and a touch of iodine. There’s a tarry tension to the palate, but with tart dark cranberry and richer dark cherry flavors as well, mixing up the savory smoke with dense fruit.
Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vyd
Hearty plum, deep rose petal, earthy juniper, a touch of charcoal and crushed graphite aromas show strongly on the nose of this bottling from a tiny block in this historic vineyard. The palate packs an awesome combination of tension, energy and power, like a clenched fist in a silk glove, with tangy olallieberry fruit and a menthol character that carries deep into the finish.
Pinot Noir John Sebastiano Vyd
Herbal, structured, dark of fruit, heavy on demanding. You’ll want to be in touch with your inner Dark Side with this one (start practicing your Darth Vader breathing sounds now), as the dark cherries and silkiness power through a very long finish and ultimately dominate this stellar wine.