The 2004 Uriah is 60% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Petit Verdot. Dark ruby-colored, it delivers a splendid perfume of pain grille, red currants, and black cherry. Structured and rich, with gobs of ripe fruit, this lengthy wine does a splendid impersonation of a Saint-Emilion Grand Cru. When you taste wines like these, it becomes obvious why the Walla Walla AVA has become a destination of choice for people wanting to start a winery. Tel. (800) 764-5504; www.springvalleyvineyard.com

The 2004 Uriah blend is 60% Merlot, 31% Cab Franc, and the rest divided between Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, all estate grown. Ripe Walla Walla fruit, quite rare in 2004, gives structure and sleek, racy, vibrant flavors of boysenberry, currant and cherry. The vineyard’s characteristic wild hay aromatics are less evident, as the fruit soars. This is a wine that should reward significant cellaring time, up to a decade or more.——P.G.(12/31/2006)—— 93