Foxen Bien Nacido Block 8 Pinot Noir 2018
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Exclusively planted for Foxen in 1996 by Bien Nacido Vineyard, the eleven-acre Block 8 sits on the highest point and one of the steepest sections of this Santa Maria Bench vineyard. Upon harvest, the grapes are whole-berry destemmed into small, open-top fermenters as individual clonal lots, where they see a 2-day maceration. The wine ages for 16 months in French oak, of which 44% is new. The wine is bottled within fining or filtration.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This is stunningly delicious, structurally complex and layered in aromas and flavors that continue to evolve. Sultry baked-black raspberry, chai cream and purple flowers invite the nose while the palate's Luxardo cherry, lilac candy, tarragon and charred meat elements achieve attention-grabbing harmony.
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Wine Spectator
This has a bright, acid-driven frame but also packs some punch, with a well-built core of steeped raspberry and blackberry coulis flavors laced with anise, black tea and incense notes. The long finish features serious drive and a very suave gloss of toast, which augments—rather than coats—the fruit. Drink now
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard Block 8 offers a more modern style nose with plenty of oak as well as ripe black fruits, licorice, smoked earth, and lots of minerality. The oak fades into the background on the palate, and this medium to full-bodied beauty has a powerful, concentrated mouthfeel, plenty of tannins, and a great finish. It needs 2-3 years of bottle age, but it’s a brilliant wine.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Pale ruby-purple, the 2018 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard Block 8 features scents of red cherries, potpourri, iodine and leather. The medium-bodied palate has delicate fruits, a chalky texture, bright freshness and appealing Angostura-like spices defining finish. Best After 2022
Other Vintages
2019- Vinous
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Guide
Connoisseurs'
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Santa Maria Valley lies mainly in northern Santa Barbara County, with a small portion of it overlapping southern San Luis Obispo County. It is close to the Pacific, and runs east-west, which means warmer air in the eastern end draws cool air off the ocean in the west, and brings it through the valley. This effect, combined with abundant sunshine, lengthens the growing season. The longer growing season leads to long hang time, which promotes both ripeness and optimal acidity levels in grape berries. As early as the 1970’s, Santa Maria Valley was recognized as being a superior source of wine grapes, certainly including Chardonnay and Syrah. But arguably the top variety here is Pinot Noir.
Originally a domain primarily of growers, including the Miller Family of the justifiably famous Bien Nacido Vineyard, this AVA is now home to over 30 wineries. Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir consistently offers full flavors of cherry, strawberry and raspberry, often accompanied by notes of spice, cola, vanilla and earth. They show impressive balance and elegance, as well as great versatility with food.