Winemaker Notes
Exclusively planted for Foxen in 1996 by Bien Nacido Vineyard, the eleven-acre Block 8 sits on the highest point and one of the steepest sections of this Santa Maria Bench vineyard.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2019 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard Block 8 is a juicy, exuberant Pinot. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather and rose petals are all kicked up. This is a decidedly lush, voluptuous Pinot that will drink well with minimal cellaring. There is a lot to look forward to. This rich, heady Pinot is not exactly subtle, but is sure is delicious.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard Block 8 is a more broad, expansive wine, revealing medium to full-bodied richness and depth as well as velvety tannins. Offering lots of baked cherry fruit, notes of licorice, scorched earth, and roasted herbs, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great finish, it leans on its fruit and texture, yet doesn’t have the precision of some of the other releases.
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Wine Enthusiast
Muddled cherry, dark-plum, pepper-tree and fairly prominent oak aromas show on the nose of this blockdesignated bottling. The palate hits with immediate tension, giving an edge to the plummy, hard-spice flavors.
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Wine & Spirits
This pinot from a block at Bien Nacido planted in 1996 is quiet and composed, with a beguiling seaweed savor adorning dark berry and black raspberry accents. The flavors are deep and satisfying, with good concentration and full-on fruit.
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.