Appellation: Walla Walla Valley

Bob Delf launched Northwest Cellars in 2004 primarily to offer delicious wines with personalized labels for weddings, birthdays and other events. But Northwest Cellars has become so much more, developing into a high-quality winery with tasting rooms in Kirkland and Spokane. And he contracts with über-winemaker Robert Smasne, who makes some of Washington’s top wines from his Yakima Valley location. This superb and affordable red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50 percent) and equal parts Merlot and Carmenérè. The resulting wine combines suave aromas and flavors of plums, black cherries and dark chocolate with powerful yet refined tannins, giving way to a memorable finish. Rated “Outstanding” by Wine Press Northwest magazine. (13.9 percent alcohol)

Price: $21.

Cases produced: 500.

Food matches: Enjoy with pizza or grilled steaks.

Northwest Cellars, 11909 124th Ave. N.E., Kirkland, 425-825-9463, www.northwestcellars.com