Washington state is a great place to grow Bordeaux grapes. The climate is just right and the grapes that are produced lend themselves to delicious, food-friendly wines.

Here are just a few suggestions from The San Fransisco Chronicle, whose tasting panel recently sampled 40 Washington State Cabernets and Bordeaux-style blends:

RATING: TWO AND A HALF STARS 2003 Chateau Ste. Michelle Artist Series Columbia Valley Meritage ($48) This blend of 66 percent Cabernet Sauvignon with 20 percent Merlot, 12 percent Malbec and 2 percent Petit Verdot was sourced from throughout Chateau Ste. Michelle's large vineyard holdings, creating a rich, juicy wine with flavors of blackberry, black olive and vanilla and some floral notes in the nose.

RATING: TWO AND A HALF STARS 2004 Columbia CREST Grand Estates Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($11) Tightly wound, this excellent value delivers raspberry, cassis and vanilla flavors and notes of toast and raw meat.

RATING: TWO STARS 2004 Hogue Cellars Columbia Valley Cabernet Merlot ($9) Here's a great value in a food-friendly red wine that tastes of red currant and plum with a hint of chocolate in the aroma. It has mouthwatering acidity and a medium-long finish.

Be sure to check out the article for more reccomendations in all price ranges.