Savvy wine buys: Foxen ‘98 Merlot

Wednesday, May 28, 2003 | 8:25 a.m.

The Foxen Vineyard is located along the wine trail on Foxen Canyon Road, just over the mountains from Santa Barbara, one of the most beautiful settings in the wine world. All wines made here are handmade estate wines, and some, such as this one, are barrel fermented, resulting in a more concentrated flavor.

This merlot has soft, accessible tannins, and doesn't cause that mouth pucker associated with younger cabernet sauvignons, one reason why merlot is fast catching cabernet sauvignon in popularity. This wine has excellent fruit, and is ready to drink now.

Available at Lee's Discount Liquors, $23.99.

-- Max Jacobson

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