"Long velvety finish, with hints of a soft herbal note"--wine-poetry, vintner's description of a red wine. I've been reading up on the Washington State wine industry, anent the history thererof and of their wines. The story of Chateau St. Michelle, Inc. is, damn it all, heart-warming. As with Microsoft or Starbucks, it makes me want to stand up and shout: "We make the best fucking Merlots (software, coffee) in the fucking world! Get the fuck off us!" Last week I encountered Daaron at Kristen's door; she wasn't home yet, so Daaron drove us up to Browne's Addition and treated us (Bless his heart!) to a glass of Rattlesnake Hills Cabernet Sauvignon at The Elk that outshone, for rubied (with hints of tawny topaz) nectar'dness, e'en the brightest and mellowest daughters of the Co^te d'Or. Daaron told me that he'd recently taken a wine-tasting tour of the Walla Walla/Rattlesnake Hills vineyards, visiting fully 67 of them--I don't recall how long that took him, but I think we may say that he evinced diligence in a noble cause.