Stemilt Creek Winery 2010 Caring Passions Estate Merlot, Columbia Valley, $17

Jan Mathison has established an excellent tradition with this tribute to her late father-in-law, TK, who started growing his Wenatchee Valley orchard into a multi-national business shortly after World War II. The wine is packed with dark blue fruit, vanilla, clove and cocoa powder. There’s a medium structure to the dense drink of black cherry and plum, featuring a pleasing tannins and late blueberry acidity.

Rating: Excellent

Production: 367 cases

Alcohol: 14%

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