Foxen 2004 PINOT NOIR, Bien Nacido Vineyard Block 8

Frankly, this is one of the best Pinot Noir wines I have had in years. Foxen is an excellent winery that I’d recommend for the wine as much as the personality. Here’s what the guys at Foxen write about this most excellent wine:

 The Bien Nacido’s Block 8 was planted exclusively for Foxen in 1996 with the clones 2A, Mt. Eden, 113, 115, and Pommard. We used the clonal lots 2A (60%) and Mt. Eden (40%) for this bottling.

The fruit was whole-berry de-stemmed, gravity fed to open top fermenters, where it cold soaked three to five days and then inoculated. The fermentations lasted seven to fourteen days, with two-per-day punch-downs. The 2A clone macerated post-fermentation an additional 30 days. The lots were then racked and blended, without oxygen, in the spring of 2005. This wine aged an additional year in François Frères barrels (Allier, medium toast, 75% new).

Winemaker’s Notes:
“This version of the “Ocho” displays red fruits (strawberries and raspberries) and classic Bien Nacido hard spices (cinnamon stick, clove, and cardamom). In the mouth exotic flavors of strawberry tart, raspberry, and cherry cola are beautifully balanced by a creamy mid-palate and lingering finish.”

92 Points – Wine Spectator – James Laube
“Wonderful purity of flavor, with a rich raspberry, wild berry, cedar, anise and hints of tobacco that are dense and concentrated, finishing with a firm burst of flavor and rich, loamy tannins. Best from 2007 through 2010.”

93 Points – The Wine Advocate – Robert Parker, Jr.
Dramatic is the stunning 2004 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard Block Eight. One of the finest Bien Nacido examples I have ever tasted. Offering up notes of licorice, sweet black cherries, herbs, currants, and spice, this full-bodied, powerful yet delicate, intense yet finesse-filled beauty is stunningly rich, layered, and complex. It should drink well for 5-7 years… Bravo to proprietors and winemakers Bill Wathen and Dick Dore.”

Suggested Retail: $46

Order it online at http://foxenvineyard.com/order.html.