The 2006 Ethos Merlot is a blend of fruit from the Wahluke Slope, Cold Creek and Canoe Ridge Vineyards. The wine was aged for 20 months in 87% new French oak. Purple-colored, it reveals a bouquet of toasty oak, spice box, damp earth, black cherry, and blackberry. Layered on the palate with plenty of ripe tannin, this richly fruited, savory, well-balanced wine will develop greater nuance with another 2-3 years of cellaring. It will offer prime drinking from 2011 to 2021. Chateau Ste. Michelle continues to demonstrate that a winery can be large and quality-oriented at the same time. Their current collection is as good as or better than anything it has done in the past.Tel. (425) 415-3300; www.ste-michelle.com

This Merlot requires some extended breathing time before opening up. The fruit sources include Cold Creek, Canoe Ridge and the Wahluke Slope, bringing lush cherry/berry fruit to the fore, ripened to a level just below jammy. The tannins carry a hint of green, turning a little rough in the finish. ——P.G.(12/1/2009)—— 88