For thoughts on Chateau Ste Michelle’s uniqueness and recent evolution, consult my extensive April, 2013 text designed to introduce recent tasting notes. While the 2005 tasted alongside had already witnessed its best days, a Ste Michelle 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Cold Creek Vineyard delivered a complex and convincing amalgam of high-toned distilled berry and nut oil esters in the nose and a harmonious palate featuring black tea, leather, and the persistence of spirituous yet also still-juicy red berries. There is a mouthwatering saline savor to the sustained finish of this Cabernet ideal for enjoying now. (It did however take the second bottle to arrive at this note; the first displayed considerably less stamina or allure.) Tel. (425) 488-1133