2021 | Foxen Chardonnay "Bien Nacido - Block UU" | Santa Maria Valley | USA

A single-block Chardonnay from California's most storied vineyard — 95 points, racy and deep.

Bill Wathen and Dick Doré — the "Foxen Boys" — have been making wine together since 1985 at the historic Rancho Tinaquaic in northern Santa Barbara County. Block UU is a coveted single block of Bien Nacido, one of California's landmark vineyards in the cool Santa Maria Valley. The 2021 rested eight months sur lie in 24% new French oak puncheons. Antonio Galloni gave it 95 points, calling it racy and deep with serious punch; Wine Enthusiast and Decanter both scored it 93.

A single-block Bien Nacido Chardonnay is cool-climate California at its finest. Foxen since 1985, landmark vineyard, single block, 95 points → dense, mineral, savory → you're drinking serious Santa Maria Chardonnay.

• Chardonnay — single block
• Bien Nacido Vineyard "Block UU" — Santa Maria Valley, California, USA
• Foxen — Wathen & Doré, since 1985
• 8 months sur lie · 24% new French oak · 95 pts Vinous

Meyer lemon curd, fresh apricot and yellow peach over blanched almond, crushed rocks, sea breeze and savory salts, with a fantastic sizzle of acidity and a stony, mineral finish that goes on for minutes. Translation: a dense, powerful cool-climate Chardonnay — citrus and orchard fruit over crushed-rock minerality and saline savour, driven by racy acidity. Serious and built to develop; give it air or a couple of years.

A single-block Santa Maria Chardonnay. Exactly the bottle for lobster, roast chicken, or a fine white with dinner.