Cañon De Sol and Gamache can be described in sports parlance as no longer rookies.
It's satisfying to taste wines from a new winery and then return in a few years and try them again and see how much they have improved. This can be said for both Cañon De Sol and Gamache, although Cañon De Sol was a huge success from the start.
Both are near Badger Canyon and got started with well-known winemaker Charlie Hoppes of Fidelitas. Both have won top awards for their Syrahs and Merlots, and their wines are moderately priced in the $30 and under range.
Cañon De Sol was established in 1999. Owner Victor Cruz learned well from Hoppes and not only is he making his own wine, but he's also the consulting winemaker for 360 Cellars in Kennewick.
-- 2005 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $30 -- Gold-medal winner at the Northwest Wine Summit. Packed with juicy, jammy flavors with some spicy counterparts. Try with a New York peppersteak.
-- 2005 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $24 -- Concentrated cherry and plum flavors accent this smooth, tasty red. "Outstanding" by Wine Press Northwest. Try with grilled pork tenderloin with roasted beets.
Take the Dallas Road exit off I-82, head south on Dallas Road and follow the signs.
Website: www.canondesol.com.
Gamache Vintners is the collaboration of longtime farmers Bob and Roger Gamache, brothers who started growing grapes in 1982 and opened the winery in 2004 on Dallas Road where it runs under I-82. They hope to eventually have a new winery in the Prosser or Red Mountain vicinity.
-- Gamache Vintners 2004 estate Syrah, Columbia Valley, $28 -- A platinum from Wine Press Northwest. It shows intense black pepper aromas, smoke and layers of fruit. Serve with medley of seasoned sautéed mushrooms.
-- Gamache Vintners 2005 estate Merlot, $24 -- This smooth beauty
won a gold at the Seattle Wine Awards with a perfect combination of oak and dark berries. Serve with grilled mild Italian sausage.
Website: www.gamachevintners.com.
*Bob Woehler has been writing a column about Pacific Northwest wines since 1978. E-mail him at bwoehler@charter.net or check out past columns at www.winepressnw.com.
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