Foxen Vineyard & Winery Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard - Chenin Blanc 2023
- v93
- js92
Category | White Wine |
Varietal | |
Brand | Foxen Vineyard & Winery |
Origin | California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley |
Alcohol/vol | 13.1% |
Foxen Vineyard & Winery was founded in 1985 by partners Dick Doré and Bill Wathen. The estate is named in honor of Dick’s great-great-grandfather, English sea Captain William Benjamin Foxen. A pioneer of Santa Barbara County, Captain Foxen purchased Rancho Tianquaic, a Mexican land grant that originally totaled nearly 9,000 acres and comprised most of what is now known as Foxen Canyon. Today, the Foxed estate resides on 2000 of those acres, consistently remaining in family hands. Foxen crafts an extensive lineup of wines from their five estate vineyards (Ernesto Wickenden, Tinaquaic Alta, Tinaquaic Bajita, MaMère and Williamson-Doré), as well as sourcing from the finest vineyards throughout Santa Barbara County (Santa Maria Valley, Santa Rita Hills and Happy Canyon), all sustainably farmed. Foxen adopted the anchor as its trademark brand, just as Captain Foxen did as his ranch cattle brand.
Vinous
- v93
The 2023 Chenin Blanc Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard Old Vines is creamy, layered and super-expressive. Orchard fruit, mint, white pepper and sage are some of the notes that inform this resonant, deep Chenin. Aging in 500-liter neutral oak barrels works so well here. This structured white from own-rooted vines planted in 1966 is one of the most unique wines in all of Santa Barbara.
James Suckling
- js92
Spiced apple aromas and crisp green apple flavors on a silky texture give this wine a pure, focused feel that's a pleasure to sip. Mineral, lime zest and toasted biscuit notes develop in the glass and linger in the finish. Medium-bodied. Drink now.