Foxen John Sebastiano Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019
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Winemaker Notes
Although planted in 2007, John Sebastiano Vineyard struggled to develop over the course of its infancy. Since its first vintage in 2010, the team at Foxen has been playing hopscotch in the vineyard, feeling out where they think the best Pinot Noir sites (of 50+ on the property) are right. They finally settled into a few blocks on top of the canyon with south/southwest exposure and limestone outcroppings. This wine is the culmination of our investigative years and shows all the trademark elements typical of this vineyard. 2019 is a classic vintage in the Sta. Rita Hills. Lavender, sage, red fruit, mulberry, and baking spices.
This wine will complement any poultry or game bird dish.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The ruby/plum-hued 2019 Pinot Noir John Sebastiano Vineyard comes from a site on the eastern end of the Sta. Rita Hills, which is warmer than sites located on the more western edge. All destemmed and aged 16 months in one-third new barrels, its semi-opaque ruby/plum hue is followed by a pretty, medium-bodied, nicely balanced Pinot Noir with lots of cherry and mulberry fruits, notes of leafy herbs, and forest floor, supple, elegant tannins, and a touch of salty minerality on the finish. Drink it any time over the coming 7-8 years.
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Wine Spectator
Leads off with light menthol and savory notes, followed quickly by gently mulled raspberry and strawberry fruit flavors. The finish, which has some sneaky length, is underscored by red tea, sous-bois and mineral hints. Drink now
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Wine & Spirits
Bright with scents of strawberries and mostarda, this pinot combines earthy savor and red fruits. It’s grippy and tense, with the stuff to age.
Other Vintages
2020-
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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.”
A superior source of California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills is the coolest, westernmost sub-region of the larger Santa Ynez Valley appellation within Santa Barbara County. This relatively new AVA is unquestionably one to keep an eye on.
The climate of Sta. Rita Hills is a natural match for Chardonnay and Pinot noir, thanks to the crisp ocean breezes and well-drained, limestone-rich calcareous soil. Here, grapes ripen just enough, while retaining brisk acidity and harmonious balance.