PROSSER On the entrance wall of the stylish new tasting room at Mercer Estates Winery in Prosser are heirloom photographs of the pioneer Mercer and Hogue families.
Bud Mercer and Mike Hogue, members of longtime Horse Heaven Hills and Prosser farm families, put a historic face on their new winery once the tasting room was completed late last year.
The understated but elegant tasting room also has high glass windows around its seating area, which allows visitors to view the winery's inner workings.
But the wine is the important thing, so let's move on to the delicious and well-made wines winemaker David Forsyth and his staff have crafted.
The Mercer family got into the winery and grape growing business in the Horse Heaven Hills about 30 years ago. The Hogues started doing the same thing at the same time in Prosser.
The Mercer winery foray was short-lived. Mike Hogue stayed and built one of the region's biggest wineries, then sold his controlling interest in Hogue Cellars several years ago.
The newest collaboration is a welcome addition to Prosser and is the last stop down a road that runs past Hogue Cellars, Kestrel Vintners, Alexandria Nicole Cellars and several other small winery tasting rooms.
Though I decided a year ago to write mostly about wines $20 and under because of the economy, with this column I decided to start including wines priced at up to $25.
2008 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $14 -- A delicate blend of apricot and orange with a crisp palate feel. Serve it with spring rolls.
2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $14 -- Herbs, a bit of grass and then crisp grapefruit flavors. Just right for baked herb chicken.
2008 Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, $14 -- Classic minerality and good acids complement citrus and melons. It's a great accompaniment to chilled sauteed prawns.
2008 Chardonnay, $17 --Rich and creamy on the palate, with a light toast of oak and pineapple and tangerine flavors. Match it with lobster and a dipping sauce of clarified butter, garlic salt and sliced toasted almonds.
2007 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $23 -- Oak, big blackberries and smooth chocolate characteristics. It's perfect for a gourmet burger.
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $23 -- Smoky aromas with licorice. Cherry flavors followed by balanced tannins. Serve with a tender steak topped by a chilled dollop of tarragon butter.
*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.
