Somehow through the magic of winemaker Peter Rosback this wine doesn’t taste like a barrel sample. It’s smooth, round, supple and packed with ripe fruits. Blend’s blend is 42 percent syrah, 40 percent cabernet sauvignon, and 18 percent merlot; a combination that is becoming increasingly popular among Columbia valley winemakers. Ripe, primary fruit flavors show lots of raspberry and cherry, lightly coated with chocolate, cinnamon and mocha.——P.G.(4/1/2006)—— 90