WTN: 2005 Chatter Creek Winery Grenache

[Jenise]

I picked up this Columbia Valley (Washington state) grenache the other day, thinking that either Rumpole or Clark had highly reccomended the winery on this board. I know Doris has mentioned seeing the syrah up in Edmonton, too. I'd never seen their wines on the shelf before.

What a smart little wine! Medium bodied, varietally correct cherry-strawberry-raspberry fruit character, a little pepper, bright and refreshing, good alone and with food. I could drink this all summer long (that is, if summer ever comes), and at $14 a bottle, I wouldn't have to take out a loan to do it. A great find.

Yeah, there`s a Cab Franc here too. I really think this winery is one to watch out for.

Doris.

[Jenise]

Bob, just got off the phone with Gordy Ramsey, the owner/winemaker. What an interesting story he has--got a job driving a delivery truck for a distributor, at which point all he knew about wine was that it came in three colors. Once he got to taste his passengers, he was hooked, and being a guy who has to take anything he's intrigued by apart he had to figure out what made wine, well, wine. He says he "takes more cues from European wines" than typical American, so for instance his pinot gris and viognier are tank fermented, and he avoids ML. I'm going down to Portland to look at a boat next week, and am going to drop in and taste with him on my way home.

Jenise,

I have had these wines and did visit last Spring. A fun visit and good honest wines. I think I bought the 04 Grenache and have concumed a few of the Cab Francs. Have fun on your tasting. Please post your notes on his wines.

....I'm going down to Portland to look at a boat next week....

Hey, my brother owns a yacht brokerage in Portland. Oh, never mind, wrong Portland.

Jenise,

I have had these wines and did visit last Spring. A fun visit and good honest wines. I think I bought the 04 Grenache and have concumed a few of the Cab Francs. Have fun on your tasting. Please post your notes on his wines.

Mi`lud, any tasting notes on the cab franc please?!! Have been eyeing it on the shelf.

edit; Just heard that one store in town carries the grenache!! On my way.