Foxen, Pinot Noir Sea Smoke, Sta. Rita Hills

Tannins were completely integrated and this was a terrific bottle. Raspberry and beautiful cherry notes emerged on fully integrated tannins. My last of two bottles. Cork was perfect and it was perfect from the pop.

2008 vintage

This was a great Pinot from Seasmoke Vineyard and the first I have enjoyed from that source to be quite honest. I think in the past when I have had these they have been a few years removed from bottling. A fine gentleman who knows the vineyard quite well suggested that I find an older vintage from any producer who makes pinots from Seasmoke to try one with ten plus years on it. I sought these out as a result …

2008 vintage

Wow. First bottle since Turkey Day 2010 (due to a quickly organized cross country move in 2015). And I wouldn't be surprised if this wine has another 10 years left to go. Still a very big wine with plenty of lush fruit, especially for a 10-year old Central Coast Pinot, but a good amount of acidity, herbs and spices to balance it out. A bit of sediment, but less than I was expecting, and not a hint of brick on …

2008 vintage

Last bottle of six purchased, still going strong, light sedimentation beginning to occur, some fading at the edges, smooth, elegant, excellent depth.

2008 vintage

Big nose. Less primary on the palate. Dark cherry fruit with mellow spices on the finish. Very good and clearly still in a good drinking window but this was our last bottle.

2008 vintage

This remains a big wine but it has mellowed from when I tasted it last six years ago. (That is based on my old note. My memory is definitely not that good.) I prefer Pinot Noir with finesse and that is not this wine. Still I like it. Dark cherry, licorice and raspberry with a spicy sweet finish. Slipping out of the CT drinking window but there is plenty of life left here.

2008 vintage

Tasty but a little too over the top for me. I can't remember the last time I had this intense a Pinot Noir. This one seemed to overpower many of the typical pinot friendly foods. Probably better suited for a steak (which actually sounds pretty awesome). This has always seemed to me to be the "biggest" pinot in the Foxen line up. The alcohol was quoted at 15.8% and it almost seemed like more.

2008 vintage

Wonderful fruity nose. Soft feel with intense fruity (blueberry) & spicy tastes. Long finish on the tongue. The high alcohol was noticeable in the last 1/4 of the bottle. Not a weak tasting Pinot.

2008 vintage

This definitely falls into the bombastic category for pinot (or wine in general). At 15.8% (or more), this was a massive wine with lots of everything...blueberry, plum, spice, sweetness and intensity. I enjoyed it for what it was and didn't expect anything else. This was a good wine and I enjoyed it, although it seemed to be best with about 30 minutes of air. It showed more "alcoholic" notes later in the evening. On day 2 (after pumping the air …

2008 vintage

Wine Institute of New Orleans; 11/5/2013-11/6/2013 (New Orleans, LA) : A delicious Sea Smoke Vineyard Pinot. Aromas of dark plums, currants, cedar and tons of spice. Pure and bold on the palate, with chewy tannins and medium acid. Loaded with cherry and currant fruit, mixed in with cocoa powder, cinnamon, cranberry sauce and cedar. Long, full and delicious, I'd love to try this again in two years.

2008 vintage

Absolutely beautiful New World Pinot. This wine is the complete package, gorgeous fruit, subtle spice, floral touches, beautiful texture, just enough minerality and acidity, and lengthy finish. Really complemented the pork roast. This was my last bottle and I almost didn't want to finish it. Wish I had a lot more.

2008 vintage

Very fleshy pinot. definitely new world. the quality of the fruit is very high. would like to try again in a few years.

2008 vintage

Dark ruby garnet with med-heavy viscosity in the glass. Jammy red and dark fruit, spice, cedar, licorice, forest floor and brett on the nose. Med-full body and extracted with the aromatics carrying onto the palate. Huge, chewy fruit that is polished and plush, but not complex. Some brett aromatics carry onto the palate as secondary notes. Long finish.

2008 vintage

This is truly the embodiment of Santa Rita So Cal Pinot. You can have your French subtle tired vine Burgundy, I'll take this every time. Tasted side by side with the Southing of the same vintage and this blew it away. As they say if you don't know Foxen then you don't know Dick.... this is a great wine. I can't wait to taste the "Select Smoke". Solid chewy cherry and dark fruit nose. Absolute candy.

2008 vintage

Wow! Hard to imagine a Pinot that's better than this. Big nose of deep, rich cherry and cedar. Some tobacco and leather. This is a Pinot you can chew, in a good way. Great mouthfeel with long finish. Last bottle, darn. Had with cedar-planked Copper River Salmon. Great pairing.

2008 vintage

Big nose. Elegant mouth feel. Bright fruit. Subtle wood. Feather soft tannins. If one had to criticize it, it could be chewier, or have a longer finish, or have more weight, but by the time you realize this, it's already packed your bags and sent you on vacation to Pinotvana.

2008 vintage

Massive. No need to swirl the wine in the glass, it will try to climb out on its own. Super dark. Nose is dominated by an incense which is fascinating. Pushing the envelope for ripeness. Ripe cherry and dark blackberry, chocolate, and incense. Medium plus finish. Not a shy wine but very enjoyable.

2008 vintage

Had this at Emeril's Delmonico in New Orleans. Simply one of the best pinots I've ever had. Dark cherry color. Massive dark berry and chocolate on the palate. Silky in the mouth. Just an outstanding wine.

2008 vintage

consistent with previous notes - this is a delicious big monster.

2008 vintage

I keep forgetting how huge this PN is - massive.

2008 vintage

Yup - great. Big and fruity but tasty and great with food. Not for everyone but when I like a big cali PN this is a great choice.

2008 vintage

--- COLOR: Deep, brilliant garnet-ruby NOTE: Smells like reconstituted Trader Joe's Dried Berry Meddley, with loads of that black licorice candy with the panda bear on it, some burnt marshmallows. Mouth is rich, very concentrated raspberry, but turns a bit stemmy & bitter. Cola and that bitterness trump the fruit in the end. This seems far less balanced than the last bottle. I think these Foxens are too ripe and it makes them have a lot of bottle variation. DECANT: …

2008 vintage

Excellent. Very dark on the pour. Strong and smooth, very balanced with a long finish. Awesome Pinot from the Santa Barbara area.

2008 vintage

I have been a Cabernet collector for decades and have recently (within 5 years) acquired the Pinot bug. The '08 Foxen Sea Smoke is of equal or greater quality than an aged 1997 Napa cab! Both are of course silky smooth at this date but something went above and beyond with the Foxen Sea Smoke. Yes, I agree to all critics, that this is not a fair comparisson and so here it will end...but, the weight and balance are similar. …

2008 vintage

On the pour it looks like a Syrah- deep purple. To me, this is a warning sign. On the palate, unctuous uber-ripe black cherry that is impenetrable. Creamy, thick and nebulous. My impression is similar to the 2009 Loring Rosella's vineyard that I had a few months ago- well made but over the top concentrated for my taste.

2008 vintage

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Foxen, Pinot Noir Sea Smoke, Sta. Rita Hills

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