Bargain Bob: Deals abound in Tri-Cities

By 'Bargain' Bob Woehler, Wine Press Northwest

Gallery: Summer 2009 Wine Press Northwest

Bargain Bob is practicing a bit of home cooking this time with two wineries less that five miles from his front door.

Barnard Griffin and Tagaris wineries are side by side in Richland, Wash., and have a lot in common. In fact, Rob Griffin, the dean of Washington winemakers, helped train Frank Roth - the winemaker next door at Tagaris.

Both men craft delicious, award-winning wines in the $15 range, some priced below $10.

At Tagaris, Roth has created a second label, Eliseo Silva, named after the longtime vineyard manager. The Eliseo Silva wines retail for around $10 and are available mostly at the winery.

Eliseo Silva 2007 White Riesling, Columbia Valley: This has sweet orchard fruit aromas and flavors with good acidity.

Eliseo Silva 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley: It boasts good spicy oak and peppers with Bing cherry flavors.

Eliseo Silva 2007 La Rosa de Syrah, Columbia Valley: A gold-medal winner at an international judging with dark cherries, oak spice and juicy mouth feel.

Eliseo Silva 2005 Merlot, Columbia Valley: Think of chocolate and smooth blackberries.

Check them out at tagariswines.com

Next up are just a few of the bargains at Barnard Griffin, which can be found at many retail outlets and liquor stores.

2007 Fume Blanc, Columbia Valley, $6: It's clean and crisp with zippy lime acidity.

2007 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $12: This won double gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Competition. It's brimming with berries and black cherries, joined by solid acidity and chewy tannins.

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $12: A sweepstakes winner at last fall's Tri-Cities Wine Festival. It opens with cedar and sandalwood aromas and is backed by black currants and plum flavors and velvety chocolate tannins.

Go to barnardgriffin.com.