Foley Estates Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2018

94 Points, Wine Enthusiast

Since getting into the wine business in the 90’s, Bill’s wine affinity has led to him purchasing nearly 30 wineries combined between mainly California and the Pacific Northwest as well as France, New Zealand and Argentina. Still, if you ask him– it is his prized possession is his home estate vineyard and winery bearing his name. Not Clifford Bay, Chalk Hill nor Firestone– Foley Estates, and the home base of Rancho Santa Rosa Vineyard.

The vineyard is no ordinary vineyard either. With money not an issue, Foley purchased a breathtaking 460-acre property (with 230 acres under vine) in the choice region of Sta. Rita Hills. There in Santa Barbara County with the morning fog, the ocean breeze, the ample afternoon sunlight and the sweeping hills is where some say the truest expression of Burgundian varietals outside of France are.

The perfect combination of climate and soil diversity found in Sta. Rita Hills is what sets it apart, but Bill’s vineyard furthers itself from its peers with something they call, “The Holy Grail”. Several steep, south facing hillside Pinot Noir plots with chalky limestone soil beneath the roots. Not only that, but the Pinot section of the vineyard is at the highest elevation (1000ft above sea level) — giving the grapes ample opportunity to ripen at their own pace with great acidity and balance packed into each tiny cluster.

Original price was: $40.00.Current price is: $33.99.

Out of stock

94 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Impressive amounts of game and wet soil flash across the nose on this bottling at first, before the pepper, plum and pomegranate elements fill in. The palate is equally complex, showing more game and soil as well as thyme, peppercorns, rich strawberry and tart cranberry on the finish.

94 Points, Wine Enthusiast

Foley Estates is an anomaly– their treasured limestone soil in Sta. Rita Hills along with their rising star winemaker Dave Frazier (formerly of Cakebread, Byron & Cambria), have made them a critic darling of sorts in Santa Barbara County over the past decade plus. Their wine is not easy to secure and I can see why. This is a great way to see what Foley does best. Their 2018 Rancho Santa Rosa Pinot Noir is a bright, intricate California Pinot Noir, far more sophisticated than just a fruit bomb, with elegance, spice and a textbook, long fresh finish. 

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