Grande Ronde Cellars 2007 Seven Hills Vineyard Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, $30

This Spokane, Wash., winery is proud of its Walla Walla Valley connections, and the group led by Dave Westfall focuses on two renowned vineyards founded by Norm McKibben — Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills. Their treatment of this fruit goes into French oak, and that shows with expensive aromas of bittersweet chocolate, vanilla extract and campfire smoke in front of black cherries and black pepper. On the palate, the theme is on rich black cherries and dark plums, framed by pomegranate acidity, and finished with black licorice.

Rating: Excellent

Production: 300 cases

Alcohol: 14%

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