A chocolaty wine with very pretty red fruit, this smooth and lightly spicy vintage is particularly well made given the cool year. In the blend are small amounts of Cabernet and Syrah, but Merlot is the star here, with rich black-cherry flavors wrapped in mocha.——P.G.(4/1/2012)—— 90

The 2007 Ethos Merlot contains 6% Malbec and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 20 months in 82% new French and American oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it emits aromas of wood smoke, mineral, Asian spices, incense, cassis, and black currant. Savory, balanced, and structured, it will evolve for 1-2 years and drink well through its 15th birthday. Chateau Ste. Michelle continues to produce large quantities of quality wine at exceptionally fair prices.www.ste-michelle.com

Ripe, round, toasty and full-bodied, this is a style close to very high-end California Merlots costing two to three times as much. Black cherry, cassis, smoke, toast and coffee grounds dominate, but the seductive blend and the beautifully managed tannins keep the wine palate-friendly. Drink now or cellar for 6–8 years.——P.G.(7/1/2011)—— 92

The 2006 Ethos Merlot is a blend of fruit from the Wahluke Slope, Cold Creek and Canoe Ridge Vineyards. The wine was aged for 20 months in 87% new French oak. Purple-colored, it reveals a bouquet of toasty oak, spice box, damp earth, black cherry, and blackberry. Layered on the palate with plenty of ripe tannin, this richly fruited, savory, well-balanced wine will develop greater nuance with another 2-3 years of cellaring. It will offer prime drinking 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