Quilceda Creek plans to discontinue its Merlot program with the current vintage. The 2006 Merlot contains 9.5% Cabernet Franc and 2.5% Petit Verdot. Purple-colored, it offers up an expressive nose of cedar, cinnamon, cassis, and black currant. This is followed by a rich, smooth-textured, savory wine with outstanding density and grip. Nicely balanced and lingering on the palate, it will continue to unwind for several more years and offer peak drinking from 2013 to 2021. In 1990, in Issue 69, after tasting a complete vertical of Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, I wrote that the winery was producing Washington’s (and possibly America’s) finest Cabernet Sauvignon. Little has changed in the intervening years. The winery has been upgraded and the portfolio has been expanded, while quality remains at the summit.As a postscript, I was able to taste barrel samples of the 2007 collection. The Golitzins describe it as an “exceptional vintage” a conclusion that I cannot dispute. The latest releases are from the 2006 vintage, a bit more challenging than 2005 or 2007, but a solid year by any standard.Tel. (360) 568-2389; www.quilcedacreek.com

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