Wine Advocate-Robert Parker- August 2010

94 Points-2008 FOXEN Chardonnay, Bien Nacido Vineyard- "Steel Cut"
The non-oaked 2008 Chardonnay Steel Cut has beautiful notes of mango,lime, and lemon zest. A naked wine with full body and loads of tropical fruit and character, this is a brilliant idea. I dont know why more California wineries don't pursue this style of Chardonnay. I suppose this is Foxen's answer to Greg Brewer's Diatom Chardonnay project, which is also a stainles steel fermented and aged, naked Chardonnay. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.

94 Points- 2008 FOXEN Pinot Noir, Sea Smoke Vineyard
The 2008 Pinot Noir Sea Smoke Vineyard has a dense ruby/purple color that is much more saturated than the Julia’s Vineyard, with beautiful raspberry and boysenberry notes as well as some spring flowers in the background. A full-bodied, pedal-to-the-metal style of Pinot Noir, with beautiful fruit, texture, and length, this is a super, almost bigger-than-life Pinot to drink over the next 7-8 years

93 Points- 2008 FOXEN Chardonnay, Bien Nacido- Block UU
Far superior is the 2008 Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard Block UU. This is a seriously endowed effort displaying notes of lemon and orange blossom, spice, and subtle background earth, medium to full body, plenty of minerality and acidity, and a long finish. Drink this impressive Chardonnay between now and 2016

93 Points- 2009 FOXEN Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard-Block 8
The 2008 Pinot Noir Vineyard Block 8 has a dark ruby/purple-tinged color and more black cherry, smoke, and earth in the aromatics. It is slightly broader and more savory, in a fuller-bodied, richer style than the Block N, but only marginally so. This is another big, deep wine, and in the portfolio of Foxen Pinots, the second biggest and richest wine of the 2008s. Impressively endowed, it should age nicely for 5-7 years. Bravo!

92 Points- 2008 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard-Block N
The 2008 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Block N is slightly lighter ruby-colored than the Sea Smoke, with loads of roasted herbs, berry fruit, cherries, and smoke in the aromatics. With medium to full-bodied flavors, this lush wine is undeniably seductive and rich, but it is not as concentrated as the Sea Smoke. Yet on the charm meter, it scores extremely high. This is Pinot Noir at its most endearing, and it should drink nicely for another 5-7 years where well-stored

90 Points- 2008 Pinot Noir, Julia's Vineyard
The 2008 Pinot Noir Julia’s Vineyard is dark ruby, with a peppery, spicy nose of incense and red cherry fruit. A fleshy, medium to full-bodied wine with loads of berry fruit, earth, and spice, this is a distinctive Pinot Noir that cuts a broad swath across the palate, but remains elegant and pure. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.

Wine Advocate-Robert Parker- Issue 184- September 2009

93 Points-2007 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills "Select Smoke"Sea Smoke Vineyard
The 2007 Pinot Noir Sea Smoke Vineyard "Select Smoke" reveals a similar dark ruby/purple-tinged color along with stunningly concentrated flavors that represent the essence of this varietal(forest floor, spice box, black cherry liquer, flowers and subtle smoke). A colossal beauty of elegance, complexity and power, with a gorgeously concentrated., multidimensional, textured, rich full-bodied style, it should age for a decade or more.

92 Points-2007 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills, Sea Smoke Vineyard
The sensational 2007 Pinot Noir Sea Smoke Vineyard exhibits a creamy, concentrated smoky, black currant, and black cherry-scented perfume with notions of earth and spice in the background. It is a meaty, rich impressively concentrated, full bodied, elegant, complex wine that only hints at its ultimate potential. A beauty, it is another excellent example of the potential that exists in the Santa Rita Hills.

91 Points- 2007 Pinot Noir, Sanford & Benedict Vineyard
The 2007 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard possesses a medium dark ruby color with less saturation than several of it's siblings, and a big, upfront, forward, spicy, smoky nose revealing notions of black fruits, flowers and earth. It cuts a broad savory swath across the palate, and along with the Julia's, is the most evolved and seductive for current drinking. Enjoy this hedonistic, sexy Pinot over the next 5-6 years.

90 Points- 2007 Pinot Noir, Julia's Vineyard
The most seductive at present is the 2007 Pinot Noir, Julia's Vineyard, a dense ruby/purple tinged effort offering sweet aromas of kirsch, black fruits, and forest floor. It displays a broad, full-bodied, velvety mouthfeel as well as good underlying acidity that provides uplift and vibrancy, but the overall impression is one of a silk glove. Drink this beauty over the next 4-5 years.

90+ Points- 2007 Pinot Noir, Bien NacidoVineyard Block 8
Slightly more challenging to evaluate, but loaded with potential is the 2007 Pinot Noir, Block 8, Bien Nacido Vineyard. A dark, ruby color is followed by a distinctive bouquet of earth, graphite, black cherries, and black currants. Medium to full bodied, and more tightly wound than the Julia's Vineyard with good acidity as well as an earthy, spicy character, it will benefit from another year of bottle age, and should drink well for 8-10 years.

Wine Spectator-August 31, 2010 issue
94 Points- 2008 Pinot Noir, Julias Vineyard
Intense and vibrant, rich and layered, with pleasing aromatics of black cherry, plum and wild berry. Full-bodied, tight and focused, woven together on the palate and hanging onto a long, tantalizing finish. Drink now through 2016.—J.L.

94 Points- 2008 Pinot Noir, Sea Smoke Vineyard
Starting with wonderful aromatics of ripe berry, flowers and spice, this full-bodied, muscular and deep wine is rich and layered on the palate, with tiers of blackberry, blueberry, black licorice, mineral, spice, espresso bean and black tea, ending with a long, linger­ing finish that keeps pumping out the flavors. Drink now through 2016.—J.L.

91Points-2008 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard-Block 8
Serves up a complex mix of ripe, rich, high-toned fruit, with layers of black cherry, plum, wild berry and spice. Full-bodied and deep, yet maintains a sense of elegance and finesse. Ends with chewy tannins. Drink now though 2016.-JL

Wine Spectator -December 15, 2009 issue
91 Points-2008 Chardonnay, Bien Nacido Vineyard- Block UU
Tangy citrus, pink grapefruit and green apple flavors give this is mouthwatering sensation, with floral aromas.  Full-bodied, rich and layered, ending with a long, persistent finish. Drink now through 2014-J.L

91 Points-2008 Chardonnay, Tinaquaic Vineyard
Rich and full-bodied, marked by pure, direct citurs, pear, melon, light toasty oak and butterscotch flavors that are full-bodied without being heavy. Ends with subtle, delicate notes. Drink now through 2013-J.L

92 Points-2007 Syrah Williamson-Dore' Vineyard
Ultrarich and concentrated, with pure, ripe, structured blackberry, wild berry, pepper, cedar, tobacco leaf and spice. Full-bodied, gaining depth and richness and holding onto its tight focus. Drink now through 2017. 250 cases made.-JL

91 Points- 2007 Syrah Toasted Rope Vineyard
Rich and full-blown, intense and firmly concentrated, offering complex cola, dried berry, roasted meat, mineral, sage and cedary oak. Closed and in need of aeration, but with lots to offer. Best from 2010 through 2016. 140 cases made.-JL

Wine Spectator- September 30, 2009
96 Points-2007 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills "Select Smoke"Sea Smoke Vineyard
Offers amazing purity of dark berry, plum, blueberry, and blackberry fruit. Full-bodied, complex and concentrated, yet the flavors dance on the palate, joined by a splash of spicy, toasty oak, with a superlong finish. Drink now through 2014.-JL

94 Points-2007 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Sea Smoke Vineyard
Beautifully crafted, with pure, rich, supple and layered dark berry fruit built around blueberry, blackberry and huckleberry flavors that hold their focus, ending with a delicate, detailed finish. Drink now through 2014-J.L

Wine Enthusiast-November 2010 issue
95 Points- 2008 Pinot Noir, Julia's Vineyard- review to follow
91 Points- 2008 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard-Block 8- review to follow

Top 10 best wines of the week- Steve Heimoff, June 16, 2010
2008 Pinot Noir, Julias Vineyard
From this esteemed vineyard in thh hills of the northern Santa Maria Valley. Winemaker Bill Wathen, a true Pinot hero of Santa Barbara County, is at the top of his game. Juicy and fresh.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine- December 31, 2009 issue
94 Points-2008 Chardonnay, Tinaquaic Vineyard
This is easily the greatest of Foxen's new Chardonnays. it shows the dryness and crisp acidity of the other bottlings, but is enormously rich and complex in oak-inspired pineapple, peach, creme brulee, buttered toast honey and mineral flavors. Decant for a while to let it mellow, and it should develop bottle complexity through 2014.-S.H (12/31/2009)

91 Points-2008 Chardonnay, Bien Nacido Vineyard- Block UU
Brings Foxen's usual steely, dry, minerally approach to Chardonnay, which makes for a more versatile, elegant wine. It's bone dry, while high acidity makes the mouth water, but the austerity is relieved by the ripeness of the citrus, peach and apple fruit. Should develop through 2013, becoming creamier and nuttier.-S.H(12/31/2009)

91 Points-2008 Chardonnay, Bien Nacido Vineyard- "Steel Cut"
You want soft, gooey Chardonnay? Go someplace else. This is a steely, minerally, bracing wine whose high acidity makes your mouth water. It has a little oak, but is mainly noted for the intensity of pineapple, peach and vanilla flavors. Very nice with shellfish and pasta in a cream sauce.-S.H(12/31/2009)

91 Points-2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Vogelzang Vineyard*EDITORS CHOICE*
A gorgeous, elegant Sauvignon Blanc, dry and complex and ideal for drinking with sophisticated fare. Grown in the warmer Happy Canyon region, it avoids the green pyrazines that can mark Sauvignon Blanc, yielding intricate flavors of lemons, limes, pineapples, green melons, honey and peppery spices, gently touched with smoky oak. S.H(12/31/2009)

90 Points-2008 Chenin Blanc, Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard
Always one of the best Chenin Blancs. Foxen's08 shows its usual dryness and tart, mouthwatering acidity, with flavors of citrus fruits, spices and sweet Chinese green beans. It's a sophisticated wine that takes some getting used to.-S.H.(12/31?2009)

Wine Enthusiast, December 1, 2009 Issue
94 Points- 2007 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir-
#26 in top 100 cellar selections of 2009
This is a big, gutsy, tannic and dry Pinot Noir, almost old-fashioned in its closed quality. It's built for aging. Locked down and tight now, but with a tremendous core of cherries, strawberries, blueberries and spice. Authoritative and distinctive. Hold unitl 2012 and beyond.

Wine Enthusiast, October 2009 Issue
93 Points- Cellar Selection-2007 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Block 8
Very rich and complex. Shows the immaturity of a young wine, with primary fruit flavors of cherries, black raspberries, red currants, red licorice, teriaki beef and cinnamon, accented with crisp acidity. Very good, but needs time. Best 2010-2013.

92 Points- 2007 Pinot Noir, Julia's Vineyard
Dark, full-bodied and rich. Defines a heavier, riper style that's almost like Grenache. Floods the mouth with black cherry pie filling, plum sauce, beef jerky, pepper, vanilla and sandalwood flavors. Good acidity provides vitality and zest. Could develop further complexities beyond 2009.-S.H

International Wine Cellar-Steve Tanzer-Issue 147-Nov/December 2009
wineaccess.com/tanzer
2007 Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard, Block UU-Santa Maria Valley
Yellow-gold, Exotically perfumed bouquet of smoky orchard fruit and melon, with notes of toasty lees and anise. Densely packed pear and honeydew flavors are enlivened by dusty minerals and pick up a note of sweet pineapple with air. Finishes on a spicy note, with good length and a gentle hint of sweet tropical fruits. 89 Points.

2007 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard, Block 8-Santa Maria Valley
Deep red. Highly perfumed bouquet shows spicy red berries, incense and dried rose. Pretty exotic stuff, offering sweet strawberry and raspberry flavors and a refreshing note of bitter cherry skin. The finish delivers solid punch and lingers with impressive persistence. 91 points.

California Grapevine-November 1st, 2009
90 Points- 2008 Chardonnay Tinaquaic Vineyard
Medium-light golden yellow; attractive , toasty, baked apple pie aroma with notes of espresso, hazelnut, and vanilla; medium-full to full body; rich, plush, fleshy, apple and pineapple flavors with a pleasing mouthfeel; lingering aftertaste. Nicely balanced and shows some finesse. Very highly recommended.

90 Points-2007 Pinot Noir Sea Smoke Vineyard
Medium purplish ruby color; attractive, stemmy, cherry and boysenberry fruit aroma with notes of clove and vanilla; medium-full to full body; well focused, textured, dark cherry fruit flavors with a rich, supple, slightly creamy mouthfeel; medium-full tannin; slightly harsh on the finish; lingering aftertaste. Very highy recommended.

90 Points-2007 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard
Medium-light to medium ruby; attractive, ripe, plummy, cherry and strawberry fruit aroma with a note of clove; medium-full to full body; rich, textured, cherry and cranberry fruit flavors; well balanced and firmly structured; medium-full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Very highly recommended.

89 Points-2007 Pinot Noir Julias Vineyard
Medium ruby; spicy, fragrant, earthy, raspberry fruit aroma with hints of smoked sausage and a trace of charred oak; medium-full to full body; forward, rich, plummy, ripe raspberry and cherry fruit flavors with notes of cola and creamy oak; firmly structured; medium-full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Highly recommended.

PAST REVIEWS

The Wine Advocate, Robert Parker-June 2008 issue
2006 Cuvee Jeanne Marie Proprietary Red
“The stunning, sexy 2006 Cuvee Jeanne-Marie (a blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 15% Mourvedre) offers up gorgeous aromas of roasted Provencal herbs, ground pepper, sweet, smoky game and meat, and copious quantities of black cherries and black currants. The expressive aromatics are followed by a pure, lush, succulent, hedonistic, medium to full-bodied red with considerable complexity, purity, and depth. Drink this beauty over the next 4-5 years.

I hope readers have recognized how gorgeous the Foxen wines have been over the last five or six years. Their individuality and distinctiveness as well as high quality are evidenced in their newest releases. Kudos to Foxen for producing these four brilliant efforts!”
— Robert Parker

2006 Syrah - Tinaquaic Vineyard
92 points
From: Santa Maria Valley Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California , USA
Drink: 2008 - 2016

“The inky/ruby/purple-hued 2006 Syrah Tinaquaic Vineyard behaves like a Santa Maria Syrah rather than a $500 bottle of Cote Rotie or $300 bottle of Hermitage. It exhibits classic Syrah characteristics of camphor, smoked herbs, sweet bacon fat, and creme de cassis. Broad, rich, flavorful, and deep, it is only slightly less complex than its siblings. Enjoy it over the next 7-8 years.

I hope readers have recognized how gorgeous the Foxen wines have been over the last five or six years. Their individuality and distinctiveness as well as high quality are evidenced in their newest releases. Kudos to Foxen for producing these four brilliant efforts!"
— Robert Parker

2006 Syrah - Toasted Rope
Rating: 95 points
From: Santa Ynez Valley Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California, USA
Drink: 2008 - 2015

“Even more brilliant is the Cote Rotie look-alike, the 2006 Syrah Toasted Rope. A blend of 85% Syrah and a whopping 15% Viognier (an hommage to Guigal’s Cote Rotie La Mouline?), it reveals exotic lychee nut and honeysuckle characteristics interwoven with notions of sweet cassis, kirsch, and licorice. Medium to full-bodied with fabulous concentration, a velvety, voluptuous texture, and superb length, this is an amazing effort from the Santa Ynez Valley. Anticipated maturity: now-2015.

I hope readers have recognized how gorgeous the Foxen wines have been over the last five or six years. Their individuality and distinctiveness as well as high quality are evidenced in their newest releases. Kudos to Foxen for producing these four brilliant efforts!”
— Robert Parker

2006 Syrah - Williamson Dore Vineyard
Rating: 93 points
From: Santa Ynez Valley Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California, USA
Drink: 2008 - 2016

“The 2006 Syrah Williamson-Dore Vineyard is reminiscent of a northern Rhone Hermitage. Aromas of black olives, crushed rocks, creme de cassis, and graphite are present in this full-bodied, dense, chewy, concentrated Syrah. With excellent acidity, sweet tannin, and a stunning finish, it should provide immense pleasure over the next 7-8 years.

I hope readers have recognized how gorgeous the Foxen wines have been over the last five or six years. Their individuality and distinctiveness as well as high quality are evidenced in their newest releases. Kudos to Foxen for producing these four brilliant efforts!”
— Robert Parker

2004 Pinot Noir - Sea Smoke Vineyard
Wine Advocate Rating: Rating: 96 points (August 2006)
From: Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California, USA
Drink: 2006-2016

“From the Santa Rita Hills appellation, the 2004 Pinot Noir Sea Smoke Vineyard’s ruby/purple color as well as its intense, glorious perfume of sweet kirsch, black currants, flowers, and underbrush suggest a wine built for the long haul. Tremendous opulence, richness, and intensity in addition to a dazzling finish with great flavor precision emerge from this riveting Pinot Noir. One of the finest Central Coast Pinots I have ever tasted, it can be consumed over the next decade. As the back label says, this wine was bottled “delicately ... without fining or filtration.” Bravo to proprietors and winemakers Bill Wathen and Dick Dore.”
— Robert Parker

2004 Pinot Noir - Bien Nacido Vineyard Block 8
Wine Advocate Rating: 93 points (August 2006)
From: Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California, USA
Drink: 2006-2013

“Dramatic is the stunning 2004 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard Block Eight. One of the finest Bien Nacido examples I have ever tasted. Offering up notes of licorice, sweet black cherries, herbs, currants, and spice, this full-bodied, powerful yet delicate, intense yet finesse-filled beauty is stunningly rich, layered, and complex. It should drink well for 5-7 years. As the back label says, this wine was bottled “delicately ... without fining or filtration.” Bravo to proprietors and winemakers Bill Wathen and Dick Dore.”
— Robert Parker

2004 Pinot Noir - Julia's Vineyard
Wine Advocate Rating: 92 points (August 2006)
From: Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California, USA
Drink: 2006-2010

“The 2004 Pinot Noir Julia’s Vineyard offers sweet black cherry and currant fruit, a broad, expansive palate, and tremendous opulence as well as length. It is a hedonistic, authentic tasting, full-bodied, velvety-textured Pinot to enjoy over the next 3-4 years. As the back label says, this wine was bottled “delicately ... without fining or filtration.” Bravo to proprietors and winemakers Bill Wathen and Dick Dore.”
— Robert Parker

2004 Syrah - Williamson Doré Vineyard
Wine Advocate Rating: 92 point (August 2006)
From: Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California, USA
Drink: 2006-2016

“The inky/blue/purple-hued 2004 Syrah Williamson Doré Vineyard boasts classic southern France-like notes of roasted herbs, sweet and sour cherries, blackberries, loamy soil, pepper, and incense. It is full-bodied and superbly concentrated, with great intensity, moderately high tannin, and enough glycerin, flavor, and fruit to back up its impressive structure. It should drink well for a decade or more.”
— Robert Parker

2004 Cuvee Jeanne Marie - Williamson Doré Vineyard
Wine Advocate Rating: 90 points (August 2006)
From: Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California, USA
Drink: 2006-2012

“The most forward and lush offering here is the 2004 Cuvee Jeanne Marie, a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre. Sweet dark cherries interwoven with notes of white chocolate, earth, and pepper emerge from this full-bodied wine. Exhibiting outstanding purity of fruit as well as sweet tannin and a broad, savory, nicely textured and nuanced mid-palate and finish, this long, authoritative red can be drunk now and over the next 5-6 years.”
— Robert Parker

2003 Syrah - Williamson Doré Vineyard
Wine Spectator: 92 Points – Spectator Selections – Highly Recommended (March 2006)
Santa Ynez Valley
“Ultrarich, almost syrupy, with dense, plush, smoky currant, blackberry, wild berry and exotic spices and game meat scents. Tightly focused, with a long, deep, rich finish and ripe, supple tannins, ending with a dash of cola. Drink now through 2009.”
–Jim Laube

2004 Pinot Noir - Bien Nacido Vineyard Block 8
Wine Spectator: 94 Points (August 2006)
"Vibrant blueberry and wild berry flavors are joined by rich toasty oak, making it a near perfect marriage of ripe fruit and wood. Supple, balanced and concentrated, this gains momentum, with a long, refreshing aftertaste. Drink now through 2009."
–Jim Laube

2004 Pinot Noir - Sea Smoke Vineyard
Wine Spectator: 94 Points (August 2006)
"Vibrant blueberry and wild berry flavors are joined by rich toasty oak, making it a near perfect marriage of ripe fruit and wood. Supple, balanced and concentrated, this gains momentum, with a long, refreshing aftertaste. Drink now through 2009."
–Jim Laube

Wine Enthusiast, December 1, 2008 issue
Rating: 92 points---2006 Foxen Cuvee Jeanne Marie-Williamson Doré Vineyard  
Tasted in May, this Grenache-based Rhone blend was still overwhelmingly vibrant and fresh in grapey, priimary fruit raspberry, cherry and blackberry flavors. It's appealing, but really needs some time to settle down and mellow, so the fruit and oak can mesh together. By the summer of 2009, it should be a wonderful wine, retaining its balanced lushness through at least 2012.-S.H

 Rating: 91 points --2006 Foxen Pinot Noir, Sea Smoke Vineyard                      
Winemaker Bill Wathen helped found this vineyard, and he understands it as well as anyone. The wine's alcohol is high, giving it a fat, glyceriney mouthfeel as well as a bit of heat. But there's no denying the opulence of the blackberry, cherry and currant flavors, and the finish is thoroughly dry. Drink this powerful wine with game, broiled steak or grilled lamb.-S.H

Rating: 90 points --2006 Foxen Pinot Noir,  Sanford & Benedict Vineyard 
A young, complex Pinot that's not revealing much now, wrapped as it is in firm tannins. The flavors of primary fruit cherries and raspberries have a lifesaver candy sweetness, and acidity is crisp and savory. In predicting the future of this wine, you have to take into account its vineyard. Decades of experience prove that a young S&B Pinot Noir as balanced as this one needs a good 4-6 years to begin to come around. **Cellar Selection**-S.H
                                

2007 Foxen Chardonnay-Tinaquic Vineyard
94 Points-*Editors Choice*- Wine Enthusiast, December 2008 Best of Year issue- #20 in Top 100 wines of the year.
This bottling by veteran Foxen offers one of the starkest, most appealing choices available in California Chardonnay. Far from a superripe, buttery monster, it's a lean, elegant machine. With vibrant acidity and a mineral undergirding, it offers rich flavors of citrus fruits and rind and yeasty, Champagne-like lees.

2007 Foxen Chardonnay- Bien Nacido Vineyard-Block UU                       
Rating: 92 points

California Grapevine-November 1st, 2009
90 Points- 2008 Chardonnay Tinaquaic Vineyard
Medium-light golden yellow; attractive , toasty, baked apple pie aroma with notes of espresso, hazelnut, and vanilla; medium-full to full body; rich, plush, fleshy, apple and pineapple flavors with a pleasing mouthfeel; lingering aftertaste. Nicely balanced and shows some finesse. Very highly recommended.

90 Points-2007 Pinot Noir Sea Smoke Vineyard
Medium purplish ruby color; attractive, stemmy, cherry and boysenberry fruit aroma with notes of clove and vanilla; medium-full to full body; well focused, textured, dark cherry fruit flavors with a rich, supple, slightly creamy mouthfeel; medium-full tannin; slightly harsh on the finish; lingering aftertaste. Very highy recommended.

90 Points-2007 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard
Medium-light to medium ruby; attractive, ripe, plummy, cherry and strawberry fruit aroma with a note of clove; medium-full to full body; rich, textured, cherry and cranberry fruit flavors; well balanced and firmly structured; medium-full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Very highly recommended.

89 Points-2007 Pinot Noir Julias Vineyard
Medium ruby; spicy, fragrant, earthy, raspberry fruit aroma with hints of smoked sausage and a trace of charred oak; medium-full to full body; forward, rich, plummy, ripe raspberry and cherry fruit flavors with notes of cola and creamy oak; firmly structured; medium-full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Highly recommended.

Bourghound.com, October 2008
91 Points- 2006 Pinot Noir- Bien Nacido Vineyard-Block 8
A notably ripe and seductively spicy nose that offers hints of Pinot Noir liqueur merges into rich and equally ripe big-bodied flavors that are utterly delicious and as long as the wine is kept at proper serving temperature, it carries its alcohol effortlessly. Note that there are moderately firm tannis that will permit this to age over the medium-term though it's awfully pretty right now. In sum, if you enjoy big-bodied pinots, this is a good choice because it doesn't lack for a certain elegance.

These Pinot Noirs Live Up to the Hype
by Robert Parker
Download Full Article PDF

 Thanks to the 2004 movie Sideways, pinot noir has become absurdly popular. Truth be told, most of this wine, whether domestic or imported, is of little interest and often overpriced. The following wineries' pinot noirs, however, display the true glories of this grape. All are from the 2004 vintage in California's Santa Rita Hills, the wine country northwest of Santa Barbara where the film takes place.

Foxen Vineyard Sea Smoke Vineyard
96 points. This pinot noir's ruby/purple color and its intense, glorious perfume of sweet kirsch, black currants, flowers, and underbrush suggest a wine built for the long haul. Tremendous opulence, richness, and intensity in addition to a dazzling finish with great flavor precision result in one of the finest Central Coast pinot noirs I have ever tasted. It can be enjoyed over the next decade. $64

Are We Hip Yet?
by Matt Kramer

  “...So I began to think about what could be—really, what should be—hip for 2006. For example, I was reminded, yet again, of the overlooked goodness, even greatness, of Cabernet Franc when I cracked open my last bottle of Foxen winery's Cabernet Franc Tinaquaic Vineyard 1994 from the Santa Maria Valley .

Foxen has just 1 ½ acres of Cabernet Franc planted in its dry-farmed vineyard (a rarity in this universally irrigated area), largely because the demand is so small for the grape. Just 200 cases a year are made. This is a pity because the wine is spectacular; dense, lush, infused with flavors and scents of blackberry, black currant, leather and tobacco and, as the 1994 bottling proves, capable of aging beautifully. “

Winespectator.com, March 10, 2006

Santa Barbara Preview: 2004 and 2005 Futures
Pinot Noir is the hot ticket again when it comes to buying the region's wines
by James Laube

When you consider buying the latest crop of Santa Barbara County wines, think Sea Smoke. This Santa Rita Hills producer of Pinot Noir shone consistently in my most recent tastings, along with Foxen, Babcock and Badge.

For lovers of California Pinot Noir, this is the time of year to give serious thought to buying Santa Barbara futures. The annual sale of this Central Coast region's wines, starting this week, is an excellent buying opportunity, especially for securing some of the best and hardest-to-find bottlings.

Every year, Santa Barbara retailer Wine Cask screens hundreds of local wines and narrows them down to offer as futures. The full catalog is listed at www.winecask.com, and you can either order the wines online or purchase tickets to Wine Cask's public tasting on April 22. (The March 11 sale has sold out.)

This week, I wrapped up two days of blind tastings at Wine Spectator 's Napa office, where I tried 57 wines, most of them barrel samples from the 2004 and 2005 vintages. Because the wines aren't finished yet, I have given them projected ratings—with scores in ranges—based on how they showed now and my expectations of how they will rank when bottled.

If you had to remember just one Pinot Noir name for this year's sale, Sea Smoke would be it. My favorite wine, Foxen's 2004 Pinot Noir from Sea Smoke Vineyard (95–100 points on the Wine Spectator 100-point scale), was simply stunning, offering a broad, rich range of flavors, a supple, caressing texture and great length .(Release: September 2006)