Moderately saturated bright red-ruby. Sexy aromas of dark raspberry, mocha, red licorice, tobacco, minerals and cocoa nibs reminded me of a Right Bank wine. Plush, ripe and serious, with dusty herbs and spices enlivening the raspberry and plum fruit flavors; more red fruits than black here. Finishes with substantial but ripe well-integrated tannins and slowly building persistence. Not a powerhouse but uncommonly complex and refined for Washington Merlot. And more pliant at this stage than the 2016 was. (a blend of eight sites)

All varietal and aged 19 months in barrel, the 2017 Merlot has a medium ruby/plum color as well as bright Bing cherry and currant fruits interwoven with plenty of tobacco, chocolate, and earth. This spicy, medium-bodied, nicely balanced beauty has a great texture, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. Drink it over the coming decade.

Precise and a bit tight, with zesty black cherry and smoky tobacco flavors that build toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2025. 665 cases made.

Char, coffee, chocolate and whiffs of tire rubber are out front. Cherry and chocolate bar flavors follow. It hasn't integrated at present.