As it was in the 2005 vintage, the 2006 Taptiel Vineyard is my favorite among the Cadence offerings. It is composed of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Franc from vines planted in 1985. Dark ruby-colored, it offers up a complex perfume of pain grille, pencil lead, incense, black cherry, and black currant. Rich, dense, and layered on the palate, it manages to combine elegance with power. Structured and well-balanced, it will evolve for 5-7 years and offer a drinking window extending from 2015 to 2026. The Cadence winery is located in the South Park region of Seattle. It is owned and operated by husband and wife team Ben Smith and Gaye McNutt. All of their wines are sourced from Red Mountain fruit selected from several of the most prestigious vineyards. Casa Mia is their estate vineyard planted in 2004. The wines are all blends of the Bordeaux varieties. Current production stands at 2300 cases. Tel. (206) 381-9507; www.cadencewinery.com