The inky/ruby/purple-hued 2006 Syrah Tinaquaic Vineyard behaves like a Santa Maria Syrah rather than a $500 bottle of Cote Rotie or $300 bottle of Hermitage. It exhibits classic Syrah characteristics of camphor, smoked herbs, sweet bacon fat, and creme de cassis. Broad, rich, flavorful, and deep, it is only slightly less complex than its siblings. Enjoy it over the next 7-8 years. I hope readers have recognized how gorgeous the Foxen wines have been over the last five or six years. Their individuality and distinctiveness as well as high quality are evidenced in their newest releases. Kudos to Foxen for producing these four brilliant efforts! Tel. (805) 937-4251; Fax (805) 937-0415