Foxen Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir 2019
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
Wine &
Spirits
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Whole-berry destemmed in to small, open-top fermenters as individual clonal lots.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Leading off the reds, the 2019 Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley is a smoking good appellation Pinot Noir well worth seeking out. Ripe red and blackberry fruits, peppery herbs, flowers, and sous bois all show on the nose, and it’s nicely textured, fruit-forward, and ready to go. It’s going to put a smile on your face any time over the coming 3-5 years.
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Wine & Spirits
A bit of barnyard and forest floor add savor, grounding this pinot’s dark raspberry and cherry flavors. It feels fresh and linear, with fruit that’s rounded and succulent.
Other Vintages
2020-
Wine
Spectator
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Jeb
Dunnuck
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Wine
Enthusiast
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Robert
Parker -
Wilfred
Wong
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Wine
Enthusiast -
Robert
Parker
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Wine
Enthusiast -
Tasting
Panel
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Wine
Spectator
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Wine
Spectator
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.