Whitman Cellars is a 5000 case winery located in the Walla Walla AVA. The winery sources and blends from multiple vineyards within the AVA. The 2003 Narcissa Red Wine is composed of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 8% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. It was aged for 18 months in French and American oak. It presents a pretty nose of toast, spice box, cedar, pepper, blueberry and black currant. Forward with good depth and ripe flavors, this tasty wine can be enjoyed now and over the next 6 years.Tel. (509) 529-1142; www.whitmancellars.com

This is soft, pretty and ready to drink. The light fruit is wrapped in toasty new oak, accented with cinnamon and mocha. A bit of spice keeps it interesting, but it comes across as a generic red, with pretty oak. ——P.G.(5/1/2007)—— 85