Wednesday, Mar. 24, 2010

Woehler on Wine: Gamache Vintners

By Bob Woehler, Wine Press Northwest tasting editor

PROSSER — Gamache Vintners has a lot going for it these days, with a new facility at Prosser Vintner's Village, a source of excellent grapes and one of the state's top winemakers.

Roger and brother Bob Gamache first planted wine grapes in 1982 on the family farm above White Bluffs along the Columbia River.

Over the years, the brothers gained a reputation for producing top-quality grapes for others. Then a few years ago, they decided to add a winery.

They started modestly in a small facility near West Richland, then took the plunge with their new winery and tasting room, which opened last year in Vintner's Village.

The Gamache brothers mostly draw grapes from their own vineyard but also get some from their cousin, Paul Champoux, in the Horse Heaven Hills.

Their consulting winemaker, Charlie Hoppes, is considered one of the region's best, and cellarmaster Mitch Venohr is doing an able job of bringing on the wines at the new facility.

Gamache expects a production of 5,000 cases from its 2009 crop. Five of its wines are in the $25 and under category. The highest priced is the reserve Cabernet Sauvignon at $40, followed by the regular Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah at $28. The new vintage of Cabernet Franc, priced at $24, won't be released until July.

Here are my tasting notes on the four Gamache wines in the $18 range.

-- Gamache Velida 2008 Viognier, Columbia Valley, $18 -- Velida honors the Gamache brothers' mother and grandmother, who each bore this name. The wine's flavors are a tasty tropical blend of pineapples and mango. How about a Hawaiian pizza?

-- Gamache 2007 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $18 -- Golden delicious apple aromas followed by more apples, a touch of citrus and a bit of peach in its flavors. Serve it with a creamy fruit salad.

-- Gamache 2006 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $18 -- Smooth, good body, offering ripe Bing cherries and chocolate flavors. Try it with roast pork with a cherry preserve-merlot sauce.

-- Gamache 2006 Boulder Red, Columbia Valley, $18 -- A kitchen sink blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot gives this wine multiple berry aromas and flavors backed by sturdy tannins. How about a Philly cheese steak sandwich?

*Bob Woehler has been writing about Pacific Northwest wines since 1978. E-mail him at bwoehler@charter.net or check out his past columns at www.winepressnw.com.