Washington’s Columbia Valley is one of the few places on Earth that is innately suited to fully ripening Petit Verdot, something that hasn’t escaped Mike Januik. The 2003 Petit Verdot Ciel du Cheval Vineyard explodes from the glass with an awesome nose of black raspberries, dark cherries, and cassis. Crammed with dark fruits, principally cassis, blackberries, black raspberries, and dark cherries, this full-bodied wine displays outstanding depth, concentration, and multitudes of exquisitely ripe tannin. Though I have no experience with the ageworthiness of ripe Petit Verdot (it is such a rarity that I’m not sure anyone does), there is no reason to believe this offering won’t last 10-12+ years. Tel. (425) 481-5502; www.januikwinery.com