What Kelley Fox Wines are you drinking?

An update on this tasting note. Had the rest of the bottle today, a day after opening. The fruit notes had undoubtedly lessened, but remnants of elegance remained. I’m looking forward to trying more of my BD 16 vertical purchase. Looking for the sweet spot vintage for drinking now and learning more about this maker’s development over the ‘10s.

3 Likes

Agreed on shipping. Our case arrived today in Denver!

1 Like

Look at you, Chris- holding up the Grüner with the ambiguous-appearing goats. :blush: Thank you. xoxo

2 Likes

Thank you, John. :heart: The Ahurani 2015 is 100% whole cluster. Perhaps the full spectrum of tannins have contributed to added protection from aging (all other things being the same). It sounds like you’re a Dundee Hills lover. So am I. I also love the Eola-Amity Hills.
I really appreciate what you wrote at the end. I feel that way, too, because I’m always refining my way with the work each year.

3 Likes

Thank you so much, Dan! I haven’t tried the 2021 is a long while, and a, thrilled that you enjoyed it. My wines across the board do tend to take more time. I like to bottle them with as much life as possible, xo

2 Likes

Thank you, Scott :heart:-I bottle up to 6 mags of Mirabai in a given vintage. Please let Jonathan know if you’d like another mag of Mirabai (of a different vintage of available). I don’t know how he moves those. Hope to see you soon!!

2 Likes

lots of replies

[quote=“Marcus_Goodfellow, post:248, topic:306515”]
Practice makes perfect.

Without disrespect to newer winemakers, as you add years of practice your energy my not be as high as it was in youth but experience more than makes up for it. Longwinded way of agreeing that Kelley has always made really lovely wines (see 2010 Scott Paul wines) but the current set is amazing.

2024 was another pretty ideal vintage, so hopefully the streak continues.
[/quote

Thank you so much, Marcus. I’ve been loving your wines more and more each year along those same lines. I admire your work along with the goodheartedness and high character you’ve always brought to your wines and to the industry.

2 Likes

Can’t wait!!!

1 Like

So much love. :hearts:

Shared a bottle of 2015 Mirabai last night with some non-enophile friends. It was empty so fast I couldn’t get any serious notes. They loved it and passed over a couple of other open bottles to drain this one. And they were right - it was translucent red and really in the zone. I only got one pour😢. But I’m always happy to introduce friends to new great wines.

3 Likes

It’s been a while since I opened a 2019 from any producer. Last night’s Weber vyd was wildly delicious. The typical pure red fruits were there but the extra year(s) surfaced more spicy, savory undertones. Both nose and palate were outstanding, the finish was ever so slightly shorter than expected. Definitely going to put some more of these in the fridge and check in on a Maresh soon

5 Likes

Opened the 2023 Pinot Blanc Stater Vineyard. This is even better than I remember it being when tasting with Jonathan last July, and I thought it was really good then.

A complex cornucopia of fruit on the nose (apricot, pear, canteloupe, underripe strawberry/blueberry, and just a hint of something tropical like guava with some air), with an underlying core of crushed gravel. Kelley’s note on her website about it smelling like a rosé blind is accurate. Racy, light, and fresh, this is such a pleasurable drink on its own. I particularly enjoy the purity of the lemon zest balanced by a terrific depth of gravel minerality on the palate.

This is a new pinot blanc site for Kelley, I haven’t had her other bottlings from Freedom Hill but may need to go back for some. Has anyone tried her Freedom Hill pinot blancs with age?

4 Likes

Every vintage. Love them. I prefer the Barbi as it is aged in acacia vs. stainless steel for the regular FH. However, for 2023 I liked the Stater the best of the three.

1 Like

Looks like something happened when I tried editing my post lol. I was curious if people have cellared the Freedom Hill pinot blancs (Barbie or regular) to see how they develop.

Ah. I usually drink them in the first year or two of release while they are at peak freshness. That is a short window, but I didn’t see any improvement (they don’t need any!).

1 Like

I’ve aged both FH and Barbie. I prefer them in the 2-4 years post-vintage range. Did not improve to my taste after that.

1 Like

Part 2 of my Momtazi vineyard enjoyments.

TN: Kelly Fox 2013 Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir:

Deep raspberry jam aroma with rock at the edges. In the mouth, plum with juicy acids and refined tannins. Again, the sense of freshly rained on fallen leaves, and forest floor. What a treat! Certainly drinking beautifully now.

3 Likes

These have screw caps up through 2015, right? Do the wines somehow seem “younger?”

This is the one I plan on opening first, of the BD16 vertical. Thanks for the note, Tahseen - sounds just wonderful!! :wine_glass:

1 Like