Pinot Noir, Foxen Winery, Block 8

Foxen's 2017 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard Block 8 is laced with the essence of sweet spice, star anise, blood orange and dried rose petal. In the glass, the 2017 is exotic, perfumed and full of character. The ripeness of the year is evident, and yet the 2017 remains silky, medium in body and absolutely impeccable in its balance. Vinous 92pts. Dijon 113, Dijon 115, Wadensvil [2A], & Pommard clones. Fermented 7-10 days active, with punch downs 2 times daily. Aged 16 months in 228L very tight grain French Oak barrels, 44% new.

One of the oldest cool-climate vineyards in California and home of the world’s most single vineyard designations, Bien Nacido Vineyard has been an acclaimed source of world-glass grapes and estate wine since its founding in 1973 by brothers Stephen and Bob Miller. Meaning “Well Born” in Spanish, Bien Nacido was planted on the historic site of the Rancho Tepusquet land grant, a plot of land that was granted to Tomás Olivera in 1837, when California was still a part of Mexico. The Olivera Family’s adobe, built in 1857, still graces the estate today – a majestic sentinel looking after the vines. Purchased by the Miller Family in 1969, what is now Bien Nacido Vineyard began as the shared vision of brothers Bob and Steve Miller: to develop a vineyard that would be acknowledged as among the elite vineyards of the world. Four years of hard work and sweat equity led to the original vineyard plantings – 300 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay – in 1973. Since then, under the Miller Family’s stewardship, Bien Nacido Vineyard has become one of the most coveted sources of cool-climate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah in California, if not the world. Celebrated as the most single vineyard-designated site in the world, the combination of remarkable terroir and an incredibly dedicated team who cares for the land, enables Bien Nacido’s legacy of exceptional winemaking and grape-growing to further grow with each passing vintage.