The 2006 Malbec Stillwater Creek Vineyard is opaque purple-colored. It has a superb bouquet of wood smoke, mineral, pencil lead, black raspberry, and black cherry. In the mouth spicy black and blue fruits are buttressed by fine-grained tannins and plenty of spice notes. This already complex effort will evolve for 2-3 years and drink well from 2011 to 2018. Novelty Hill and Stillwater Creek Vineyard are owned by Tom Alberg. The vineyard, located on the Royal Slope of the Frenchman Hills (way off the beaten path), was planted in 2000 and is beginning to acquire a reputation for the high quality of its fruit. A year ago the winery moved into its new quarters in Woodinville which it shares with Januik Winery. The Novelty Hills wines are made by the talented Mike Januik. This portfolio over-delivers in a very big way.Tel. (425) 481-8317; www.noveltyhillwines.com

This limited release bottling is clean, young and light, a Bordeaux-style red tasting of melon and strawberry, dappled with herb, chocolate and hints of sweet grass. It’s balanced and finely detailed, given its modest proportions. ——P.G.(12/1/2009)—— 88