The dark ruby/purple-colored 1999 Syrah Morehouse (500 cases) exhibits big, peppery, smoky, herb, and black fruit aromas as well as flavors. Medium to full-bodied, it is an excellent Syrah to consume over the next 6-7 years. Tel. (805) 937-4251

Fans of Foxen that we are, we’re not sure what went wrong here. The off-putting mineral-chemical-vinyl aromas are hard to get past. When you do, there’s scant reward in the thin, sour, red-berry fruit and sharp mineral flavors. Smoke and leather notes are barely redeeming, the rampant volatile acidity just unpleasant.——W.E.(11/1/2001)—— 81