Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1787
R ichard Doré worked as a banker in the '60s and '70s before re- turning to his roots on his family's 2,000-acre Rancho Tinaquaic in Santa Barbara County, where he had been born and raised. He and his friend, Bill Wathen, who had a background in vineyard management and had worked for the late Dick Graff at Chalone, founded Foxen in 1986. To most wine aficionados, they're known as "The Foxen Boys." Named for Dick's great- great-grandfather, William Benjamin Foxen, an English sea captain who bought the original rancho in 1837, Foxen is now making some of Santa Barbara's most exciting wines, both from its estate vineyard and from purchased fruit. I recently tasted through a series of vineyard-designed Foxen Pinot Noirs sourced from some of Santa Barbara's best growers. Here are my notes. 92 Foxen Vineyard 2007 Pinot Noir, Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills ($50) Silky, smooth and elegant with ripe black cherry and firm, racy acidity; lovely depth, fruit and structure. 91 Foxen Vineyard 2007 Pinot Noir, Block 8, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley ($54) Fresh and juicy with bright red cherry fruit and good acid structure; long, tangy and supple with bal- ance and finesse. 89 Foxen Vineyard 2007 Pinot Noir, Julia's Vine- yard, Santa Maria Valley ($56) Deep color, dense cherry/blackberry fruit with flesh and weight; rich, meaty and intense. 93 Foxen Vineyard 2007 Pinot Noir, Sea Smoke Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills ($75) Dark and dense with ripe black cherry and concentrated flavors; stun- ning depth with notes of spice, earth, and fresh acidity. 94 Foxen Vineyard 2007 Pinot Noir, Select Smoke, Sea Smoke Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills ($125) Deep and rich with ripe black cherry fruit and toasted oak; dense texture, gorgeous flavors and great length. "The Foxen Boys" Do Pinot Right august 2009 / the tasting panel / 39 The Foxen Boys: Richard Doré and Bill Wathen.