2010 Foxen Syrah Williamson-Dore Vineyard

I am not sure why, but Foxen's 2010 Syrah Williamson-Doré Vineyard comes across as big, brawny and not especially polished. There is good intensity and depth in the fruit, but the bouquet is not well articulated. This is a rare miss from Foxen.

I am not sure why, but Foxen’s 2010 Syrah Williamson-Dore Vineyard comes across as big, brawny and not especially polished. There is good intensity and depth in the fruit, but the bouquet is not well articulated. This is a rare miss from Foxen. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. I always look forward to tasting the Foxen wines, as they are loaded with class and personality across the board. The Chardonnays and the Pinots are the highlights among this set of new releases, while the 2010 Syrahs can’t quite match the superb 2009s. The 2010 Pinots in particular are well worth the effort of tracking down. Like all of the Foxen reds, they see minimal racking and are bottled without fining or filtration. Tel. (805) 937-4251

Also gorgeous and a blend of 100% Syrah that spent 16 months in 30% new Hungarian oak, the inky colored 2010 Foxen Syrah Williamson-Doré Vineyard is meaty and layered, with copious sweet red and black fruits, pepper, bacon fat, underbrush, and wild flower-like qualities all showing on the nose. Seamless, pure, and incredibly polished on the palate, with an elegant texture, solid concentration, bright acidity, and no hard edges, this rock-star Syrah has a cool-climate like aromatic profile, but has brilliant fruit that gushes through on the palate. Turning more mineral-driven with air, it is superb now, yet will be even better in 2-4 years, and shine for 12-15 years.