The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Cold Creek Vineyard was sourced from a site planted in 1973 with the wine aged for 21 months in French oak. Dark ruby-colored, it has an earthy character as well as aromas of spice box, rose petal, cassis, and black cherry. Fleshy, full-bodied, and mouth-filling, it has layered savory fruit, incipient complexity, plenty of fine-grained tannin, and a lengthy, pure finish. Drink it 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

Firm and juicy, this old vine Cabernet is loaded with black fruits. With just 1% Merlot in the blend, it’s a generous mouthful of almost-pure Cabernet, layered with licorice, mineral, and intense fruit flavors of currant and cherry.——P.G.(12/31/2009)—— 92