While my love for Pinot Noir has only increased since buying this bottle 11 or so years ago my palate has evolved to appreciate a bit more feminine and more restrained style. That being said I was a bit apprehensive to dive into this bottling knowing the ABV and pedigree. We chose it tonight for National Pinot Noir Day and to pair with homemade grilled burgers and it proved quite delightful and drinkable. Make no mistake, this is a full throttle PN that reminded me of a new world Grenache/Syrah Blend but it did drink younger and fresher than the years suggest and was a great match for the grilled burger. Time after time, the Foxen boys make great wines even when ripeness might prevail. Dark fruited with solid tannin for Pinot. No real evidence of the higher than average alcohol and enough acidity to balance it out. Pretty solid with some years ahead if you appreciate age on your new world, big, pinot noirs.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very full bodied but sophisticated Pinot. Unintentionally put it up against grilled steak with spicy sides and it held up surprisingly well. And with no food it was also excellent. Not a Burgundian's Pinot but it isn't supposed to be. Great finish, layers of enjoyment, great Californian Pinot!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I was somewhat disappointed with this bottle. It did not match my memory of the regular Sea Smoke Pinot that I have tasted a couple of times. I was hoping for more instead of less. Still an excellent Pinot but it seems to be nearing the end of its life already. No need to decant as it will only speed the aging process. The fruit tends more toward the dark range and is somewhat subdued with earth tones predominating. Very good acidity helps with freshness and there are some smokey floral influences as well. As I stated, it is still an excellent Pinot but a bit pricey for this rating.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This has been open for about 5 hours and it's gotten better over time. Nose is really exceptional - strawberry, cherry, a little cola, orange zest, all spice, cloves, pine needle, and a hint of alcohol. On the palate, nice blend of earthiness and red fruit. Nice acidity with structure. A little hot for me, and the finish is shorter than I would have expected. This is outstanding to be sure, but I'm not sure it's worth the premium over the traditional Foxen Sea Smoke.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
--- COLOR: Med garnet with plum-garnet rim NOTE: Just like regular SS, this went downhill fast. I'm being generous with my score. Nose has a lot of nail polish in the front, then it gives way to ripe blackberry and candied raspberry fruit. Mouth is very nice still, a bit of opulence, jammy red fruits (pomagranate/raspberry/bing cherry), nice baking spices. But then the finish turns into a hot mess again with alcohol overpowering the fruit. There is no elegance here. I am going to consume my remaining Foxen Pinots and then bid them adieu forever. Nothing has come close to that first 2004 Foxen SS PN in its youth, and chasing that dream is too costly. Amazing this wine cost sooooo much and that it got such a high score from Laube.
DECANT: 1.5 hr GLASS USED: PN TASTE: 9.2- COST: 138 VALUE: 0.5 (yeah, it's that bad of a QPR) PREVIOUSLY TASTED: 04/10 TRY AGAIN: NOW PAIRING: n/a Inquiries can be addressed to troypeterson@usa.net ---
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
8/18/2020 - Djfermentation Likes this wine: 93 Points
While my love for Pinot Noir has only increased since buying this bottle 11 or so years ago my palate has evolved to appreciate a bit more feminine and more restrained style. That being said I was a bit apprehensive to dive into this bottling knowing the ABV and pedigree. We chose it tonight for National Pinot Noir Day and to pair with homemade grilled burgers and it proved quite delightful and drinkable. Make no mistake, this is a full throttle PN that reminded me of a new world Grenache/Syrah Blend but it did drink younger and fresher than the years suggest and was a great match for the grilled burger. Time after time, the Foxen boys make great wines even when ripeness might prevail. Dark fruited with solid tannin for Pinot. No real evidence of the higher than average alcohol and enough acidity to balance it out. Pretty solid with some years ahead if you appreciate age on your new world, big, pinot noirs.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/22/2020 - D.Callahan Likes this wine: 94 Points
Dark purple and rich. One of my son's favorite Pinots.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/16/2013 - chiddles wrote: 93 Points
Very full bodied but sophisticated Pinot. Unintentionally put it up against grilled steak with spicy sides and it held up surprisingly well. And with no food it was also excellent. Not a Burgundian's Pinot but it isn't supposed to be. Great finish, layers of enjoyment, great Californian Pinot!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/3/2013 - D.Callahan Likes this wine: 90 Points
I was somewhat disappointed with this bottle. It did not match my memory of the regular Sea Smoke Pinot that I have tasted a couple of times. I was hoping for more instead of less. Still an excellent Pinot but it seems to be nearing the end of its life already. No need to decant as it will only speed the aging process. The fruit tends more toward the dark range and is somewhat subdued with earth tones predominating. Very good acidity helps with freshness and there are some smokey floral influences as well. As I stated, it is still an excellent Pinot but a bit pricey for this rating.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/23/2012 - cbkamp Likes this wine: 93 Points
This has been open for about 5 hours and it's gotten better over time. Nose is really exceptional - strawberry, cherry, a little cola, orange zest, all spice, cloves, pine needle, and a hint of alcohol. On the palate, nice blend of earthiness and red fruit. Nice acidity with structure. A little hot for me, and the finish is shorter than I would have expected. This is outstanding to be sure, but I'm not sure it's worth the premium over the traditional Foxen Sea Smoke.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2011 - tp096255 wrote: 92 Points
---
COLOR: Med garnet with plum-garnet rim
NOTE: Just like regular SS, this went downhill fast. I'm being generous with my score. Nose has a lot of nail polish in the front, then it gives way to ripe blackberry and candied raspberry fruit. Mouth is very nice still, a bit of opulence, jammy red fruits (pomagranate/raspberry/bing cherry), nice baking spices. But then the finish turns into a hot mess again with alcohol overpowering the fruit. There is no elegance here. I am going to consume my remaining Foxen Pinots and then bid them adieu forever. Nothing has come close to that first 2004 Foxen SS PN in its youth, and chasing that dream is too costly. Amazing this wine cost sooooo much and that it got such a high score from Laube.
DECANT: 1.5 hr
GLASS USED: PN
TASTE: 9.2-
COST: 138
VALUE: 0.5 (yeah, it's that bad of a QPR)
PREVIOUSLY TASTED: 04/10
TRY AGAIN: NOW
PAIRING: n/a
Inquiries can be addressed to troypeterson@usa.net
---
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment