Winemaker Notes
The Fox Creek Vineyard is a stunning planting situated at 1100 feet on a remote ridge above the Carmel Valley in Monterey County. The vineyard was planted in 2006 to Dijon clones 667 and 115 in well drained granodiorite clay loam that lends itself perfectly to growing world class Pinot Noir. This meticulously farmed vineyard produces tiny, compact clusters of fruit that deliver soaring aromatics and concentrated, crystalline flavors inflected with salinity from the influence of the nearby ocean. The long, cool growing conditions at Fox Creek, coupled with organic farming techniques allow for pure varietal expression at low potential alcohol. In short, Arnot-Roberts is thrilled to have found this site and look forward to many more years of working with this gorgeous fruit.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2023 Pinot Noir Fox Creek Vineyard is a bold, potent wine. Macerated cherry, spice, orange peel, sage, cedar, new leather and earthy notes fill out the layers. This sturdy yet mid-weight Pinot has a ton of character, even if the tannins are a bit burly.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Pinot Noir Fox Creek Vineyard comes from vines planted in 2006 at 1,100 feet in elevation, and grapes were harvested on October 9. It was fermented with whole clusters and matured for 10 months in used French oak. Initial flinty touches give way to raspberry, pomegranate, forest floor and Angostura bitters. The light-bodied palate offers layered, crunchy flavors. It’s framed by soft, dusty tannins and vibrant acidity and has a long, spicy finish.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
Extending east from the quaint seaside town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley’s western vineyards produce cool climate varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot noir while its warmer, eastern end, does well with heat-loving varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Sirah.