Product Description
The 2023 Foxen Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir is a vivid, fruit-forward wine with balance and minerality—an expressive blend that captures the region’s cool-climate finesse along with energetic cherry and spice notes. It’s versatile, approachable in youth, yet with enough structure to evolve gracefully.
Origins & Craftsmanship
Foxen Winery sources its Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir fruit from notable vineyards such as Bien Nacido and Riverbench, blending multiple clones (e.g. Pommard, Wädenswil, 115) to enhance complexity. In past vintages, their appellation cuvée has consisted of about 50% Bien Nacido / 50% Riverbench.
Vineyard practices emphasize sustainable farming and careful harvesting to preserve natural acidity and varietal character. The wine is typically fermented in small, open-top fermenters (whole-berry destemmed) with individual vineyard and clone lots vinified separately. For aging, Foxen often uses neutral French oak barrels (i.e. barrels previously used, imparting minimal new oak influence) for about 10 months in past years.
2023 reflects a somewhat riper profile than cooler years, but Foxen has aimed to keep freshness and tension front and center.
Tasting Profile
Nose: Lifted aromas of Bing cherry, cranberry, and red currant predominate, joined by red plum and hints of rose or red florals. Subtle notes of forest floor, spice (clove, cinnamon), and a touch of dried herbs may surface as it opens.
Palate: Medium-bodied and lively. The fruit core will be red berries with raspberry, cherry, and perhaps pomegranate. Spiced oak, cinnamon, and gentle baking spice may support the fruit, with a fine-grained texture and modest tannins. A mineral undertone or saline thread is possible, reflecting the coastal influence of Santa Maria Valley.
Finish: A clean, lingering finish of red fruit, soft spice, and perhaps a touch of earth or forest leaf. The wine should taper elegantly, retaining a sense of brightness rather than heaviness.
Quick Overview
| Specification | Details (Projected) |
|---|---|
| ABV | ~13.5 % |
| Region / Appellation | Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California |
| Grape / Blend | 100% Pinot Noir; blend of clones (likely Pommard, Wädenswil, 115) |
| Vineyard Sources | Primarily Bien Nacido & Riverbench (or similar) |
| Vinification / Aging | Small-lot fermentations, neutral French oak (10 months or so) |
| Aromas & Flavors | Cherry, cranberry, red plum, rose, spice, forest floor, minerality |
| Style / Identity | Expressive, mid-weight Pinot with red-fruit purity and subtle structure |
Availability & Sizing
Product Details
Price History
Historical Data
Last 1 days of price history
| Date | Low Price | High Price | Average Price | Vendors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 1, 2026 | $42.00 | $42.00 | $42.00 | 1 |
Price Statistics
Description
The 2023 Foxen Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir is a vivid, fruit-forward wine with balance and minerality—an expressive blend that captures the region’s cool-climate finesse along with energetic cherry and spice notes. It’s versatile, approachable in youth, yet with enough structure to evolve gracefully. Origins & Craftsmanship Foxen Winery sources its Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir fruit from notable vineyards such as Bien Nacido and Riverbench, blending multiple clones (e.g. Pommard, Wädenswil, 115) to enhance complexity. In past vintages, their appellation cuvée has consisted of about 50% Bien Nacido / 50% Riverbench. Vineyard practices emphasize sustainable farming and careful harvesting to preserve natural acidity and varietal character. The wine is typically fermented in small, open-top fermenters (whole-berry destemmed) with individual vineyard and clone lots vinified separately. For aging, Foxen often uses neutral French oak barrels (i.e. barrels previously used, imparting minimal new oak influence) for about 10 months in past years. 2023 reflects a somewhat riper profile than cooler years, but Foxen has aimed to keep freshness and tension front and center. Tasting Profile Nose: Lifted aromas of Bing cherry, cranberry, and red currant predominate, joined by red plum and hints of rose or red florals. Subtle notes of forest floor, spice (clove, cinnamon), and a touch of dried herbs may surface as it opens. Palate: Medium-bodied and lively. The fruit core will be red berries with raspberry, cherry, and perhaps pomegranate. Spiced oak, cinnamon, and gentle baking spice may support the fruit, with a fine-grained texture and modest tannins. A mineral undertone or saline thread is possible, reflecting the coastal influence of Santa Maria Valley. Finish: A clean, lingering finish of red fruit, soft spice, and perhaps a touch of earth or forest leaf. The wine should taper elegantly, retaining a sense of brightness rather than heaviness. Quick Overview Specification Details (Projected) ABV ~13.5 % Region / Appellation Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California Grape / Blend 100% Pinot Noir; blend of clones (likely Pommard, Wädenswil, 115) Vineyard Sources Primarily Bien Nacido & Riverbench (or similar) Vinification / Aging Small-lot fermentations, neutral French oak (10 months or so) Aromas & Flavors Cherry, cranberry, red plum, rose, spice, forest floor, minerality Style / Identity Expressive, mid-weight Pinot with red-fruit purity and subtle structure
Additional Info
Vendor Comparison (1 stores)
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| Vendor | Price | Stock | Last Updated | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Blackwell's Wines & Spirits Best Price | $42.00 | Out of Stock | 5/7/2026 | View Product → |
Available Sizes & Variants (1)
| Variant | Price | Status | Stores | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Default Title | $42.00 | In Stock | 1 store | Buy |
