Generally speaking, I really like Washington state wines. Particularly the Bordeaux blends, like those from Seven Hills, Delille, and Matthews, which come easily to mind.

With that in mind, tonight I opened this bottle of ‘03 Hedges 3 Vineyards (which are indicated on the label as being Bel’Villa, RMV, and Hedges. It’s a blend of 40% cab sauv, 56% merlot, 3% cab franc, and 1% syrah, acheiving 14% alcohol.

Dark and lovely, the aromas remind of those jelly black raspberry candies, with a touch of smoky oak barrel. It’s full and finely tannic right up front, and perhaps a bit reticent about following it up with the fruit, but it does eventually come. Mostly that black raspberry, but some nice black cherry, too. It feels cool, well-built and ripe, so perhaps the complexity it lacks now will be forthcoming after a bit more age. The finish is dominated by tannic dryness, but a bit of medicinal cherry crops up in there too, throwing the show off. Impressive persistence, though.

I have no idea as to the cost–it was a gift–but it’s worth a solid $20 to my palate, and it would be nice to have a few bottles to sock away in the cellar. I think it will prove to be a delight in just a few more years.

Check ‘em out at www.hedgesfamilyestate.com