2005 Quilceda Creek Merlot Columbia Valley

The 2005 Merlot is deep crimson-colored with alluring aromas of pain grille, spice box, cranberry, red currant, and black currant. This leads to an opulent Merlot with gobs of spicy red and black fruits, silky tannins that will support 4-6 years of further evolution, superb balance, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. It will provide prime-time drinking from 2012 to 2025. Quilceda Creek Vintners remains a model of consistency. In the outstanding 2005 vintage, Quilceda Creek’s Cabernet Sauvignon remains the benchmark for what can be achieved in Washington and the United States. Some good news from the winery is that beginning with the 2006 vintage, there will be a new vineyard designate, a Cabernet Sauvignon from the Palengat Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. The vines are only 7 years old but the potential is enormous as a taste from barrel attests. Tel.(360) 568-2389; www.quilcedacreek.com

Good deep, saturated ruby-red. Crushed dark berries and nutty oak on the nose. Much less open, lush and expressive today than the 2004, but with very firm acidity giving cut to the brooding dark fruit flavors. Finishes with substantial building tannins that will likely require extended bottle aging. I should note that the Golitzins believe this wine will surpass their 2004, but today it's difficult to assess.