One of Washington State's rare excellent values in red wines, the medium to dark ruby-colored 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon offers a delicate blackberry-scented bouquet. This juicy, medium-bodied Cabernet reveals appealing depth to its dark fruit and fresh herb-flavored character. A structured, well-balanced, firm effort, it will be its finest between 2002-2006. Fax: (206) 488-4657

Rich and generous, a lush mouthful of currant and berry fruit shaded nicely with hints of sage and pepper. Everything lingers enticingly, marking this a good cellar-candidate. Drink now through 2005. 93,500 cases made. -HS

This has long been the standard-bearer for value-priced Washington Cabernet. Some of the early Ste. Michelle Cabernets have been remarkably long-lived, still tasting rich and complex some 30 years after being released. You can see why. This is a perfectly structured wine, with sleek, tight fruit, firm acids, and no-nonsense oak that buttresses the tannins. It’s fine with food and certainly capable of aging indefinitely. Best Buy. ——P.G.(10/1/2001)—— 88