As I have written before, this winery is turning out a bevy of high quality wines. For example, I do not know of any winery that is producing better Oregon Merlot and Cabernet than Foris. In contrast to the Merlot Rogue Reserve, the 1994 Merlot from the Klipsun Vineyard, a vineyard overlooking the Yakima River, near Benton City, is one of the most powerful and concentrated Merlots I have tasted - from anywhere. Its huge concentration of jammy black-cherry fruit nicely buttressed by sweet tannin and high quality wood manages to conceal a whopping 14.6% alcohol. The wine offers an opaque purple color, with gorgeous, sweet, unformed, pure aromas of black-cherries, cassis, and spice. Full-bodied, luscious, and rich, but still unevolved, this plush, succulent, enormously-endowed Merlot should develop into something special with another 2-4 years of bottle age. If you like grapy wines, drink it now, but this has the potential to become an explosively rich, blockbuster Merlot that will age effortlessly for 10-15+ years. Very impressive! Tel. (800) 84 FORIS

As I have written before, this winery is turning out a bevy of high quality wines. For example, I do not know of any winery that is producing better Oregon Merlot and Cabernet than Foris. Foris has fashioned a classy, flavorful, character-filled 1994 Merlot Rogue Reserve. This dark ruby/purple-colored, medium-bodied wine reveals an attractive, sweet, jammy berry, smoky nose, and soft, velvety-textured flavors. While it is neither complex nor deep, it is a rich, round, soft Merlot to drink over the next 3-5 years. Tel. (800) 84 FORIS

Smooth, lithe and fragrant, with mint and black cherry flavors that narrow a bit on the polished finish. Best from 1998. 953 cases made. -

The blackberry and cedar flavors have a hard edge, finishing tautly and without generosity. May be better in 1998. 1,029 cases made. -