Chateau Ste Michelle 2005 Merlot; Columbia Valley, WA

I've been wanting to try more Washington Merlots, so I picked this one up today. This wine exhibits a nice vanilla/cherry nose and immediately shows itself with up front tannin. The tasting notes from CSM mention cola, and I can buy that...it exhibits cola, vanilla, some cedary-resiny notes and a slightly tart finish that is surprisingly long. It is a very pleasant, respectable wine...one I wouldn't mind having a few bottle of in the cellar.