Foxen Sangiovese Merlot "Volpino" 2018
Foxen Sangiovese Merlot "Volpino" 2018
Foxen's Volpino (meaning "little fox") has become a staple in their '7200' line-up of wines. The wine's Sangiovese comes from Faith Vineyard, located in a small oak-studded valley below Figueroa Mountain. The remainder of the blend is Merlot from Vogelzang Vineyard in Happy Canyon, used to round out the mouthfeel and soften the Sangiovese's tannins. The grapes are whole-berry destemmed as individual lots with 5-day cold maceration. The wine sees 22 months in neutral French oak barrels before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Aromatically the wine has a surprising burst of rose petals, paired with jammy red fruits and a hint of licorice. On the palate the wine is full bodied with dried herbs, a meaty note, perfectly ripened red and black fruit with peppery tannins.
Tasting Notes
rose petals
jammy red fruits
black fruit
hint of licorice
dried herbs
pepper
VARIETAL COMPOSITION Sangiovese, Merlot
REGION California
COUNTRY United States
APPELLATION(S) Santa Ynez Valley
PROPRIETORS Bill Wathen and Dick Doré
FOUNDED 1985
WINEMAKER Bill Wathen and David Whitehair
Bill Wathen and Dick Doré have been making wine together since 1985, when they founded Foxen Winery at the historic Rancho Tinaquaic in northern Santa Barbara County. Their dedication has remained the same since the founding - the creation of very small-production, vineyard-designated wines using a "minimalist" approach to winemaking.
The winery is named in memory of William Benjamin Foxen, an English sea captain and Dick's great-great grandfather, who came to Santa Barbara in the early 1800s. In 1837, this Santa Barbara County pioneer purchased the Rancho Tinaquaic, a Mexican Land Grant that originally totaled nearly 9,000 acres and comprised most of what is now known as Foxen Canyon. Captain Foxen adopted the distinctive "anchor" as his ranch cattle brand, which has become a trademark of the winery. It is very fitting that Foxen Winery makes its home on the 2,000-acre Rancho Tinaquaic that remains in family hands.
"Simply put, I can't recommend these wines highly enough". - Antonio Galloni, July 2014
