Gramercy Cellars

One of the standout Washington wineries, Gramercy continues to impress with their latest releases from Spring 2017. Founder, winemaker and master sommelier, Greg Harrington, crafts both Rhone and Bordeaux varietals, sourced from some of the best vineyards in the state. Harrington incredibly passed the master sommelier exam at the age of 26 in 1996, which is a considerable feat considering there are just 200 master somms in the world. He choose some of the best fruit from the best vineyards in the state and has very minimal oak intervention in his wines. Partner and co-winemaker, Brandon Moss, shares Greg’s focus on prime fruit and minimal intervention, showcasing the typicity of the individual varietal. 

The new releases were beautiful. His 2016 Gramercy Cellars Rose (WWB, 92) was one of the best Washington Rose wines that I have sampled in the past year, as this wine has dazzling minerality and a lush mouthfeel that will be perfect for any warm summer day gathering. The 2013 Gramercy Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 94) is an insanely good Cabernet wine, showcasing a wonderful tension, elegance and gorgeous mouthfeel.  HIs new Rhone releases were gorgeous, none more so than the 2014 Gramercy Cellars ‘John Lewis’ Syrah (WWB, 94) which has wonderful terroir, precision and a profound aromatic and flavor range. Look for these impressive new releases out at gramercycellars.com Here are the great new wines of Gramercy Cellars

2016 Gramercy Cellars Rose- This great wine is a blend of 52% Cinsault with 24% Syrah and 24% Grenache. This begins with aromatics of red cherry starburst, wild strawberry, guava and suggestions of rose petals. The mid-palate is smooth, showing a beautiful texture. There are wonderful flavors of red cherry, red raspberry, rose water and hints of wild mushroom. This shows wonderful elegance and weight, as this complex Rose finishes exceedingly long. Drink 2017-2022- 92

2014 Gramercy Cellars 'The Third Man' Grenache- This Wine has deep aromatics of rose petals, red cherry starburst, dried sage and hints of blood orange. There are ripe flavors of strawberry shortcake, Earl Grey tea, red cherry preserves and orange rind. The texture and viscosity is lovely. I can see this cellaring beautifully for a decade or more. Be sure to give this at least a one hour decant if enjoying in its nacency. Drink 2017-2027- 93

2013 Gramercy Cellars 'Columbia Valley' Syrah-This fantastic bottling begins with bright aromatics of black plum, black cherry, black tea and suggestions of smoked brisket. The mid-palate is exceedingly smooth and delicious, currently displaying flavors of black cherry cobbler, boysenberry liquor, blackberry pie and hints of milk chocolate. This shows wonderful ripeness and elegance. The texture is lovely. Drink 2017-2026- 93

2014 Gramercy Cellars 'The Deuce' Syrah- Sourced from the Forgotten Hills Vineyard as well as the Les Collines Vineyard, this wine underwent 70% whole cluster fermentation and was aged for 18 months in neutral puncheons prior to bottling. His begins with aromatics of lavender, black cherry, creosote, bacon fat and hints of black peppercorn. There are rich flavors of black cherry, black olive, smoke, Chinese black tea and Mandarin orange rind. This shows lovely range and terroir. The Syrah has the lithe minerality to cellar for a decade or more. Drink 2017-2028- 93

2014 Gramercy Cellars 'Forgotten Hills' Syrah- This great wine is sourced from the Forgotten Hills Vineyard, located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Vineyard is set on volcanic rock and basalt. This wine underwent 66% whole cluster fermentation. The wine begins with aromatics of red cherry, blueberry compote, kumquat and and spicebox. There are ripe flavors of boysenberry liquor, pomegranate seed, Satsuma orange, smoke and wild blackberry pie. This has wonderful range and complexity. Drink 2017-2026- 92

2014 Gramercy Cellars 'Lagniappe' Syrah- Sourced from the Forgotten Hills, Red Willow and Minick Vineyards, the wine underwent 66% whole cluster fermentation and was aged for 18 months in used puncheons prior to bottling. This shows wonderful aromatics of dried herbs, red cherry, red raspberry, rose petals, Parma ham and blood orange. There are ripe flavors of black cherry, Chinese black tea, mint, coffee grounds and hints of orange rind and anise. This dense wine needs a two hour decant for full expression and drinks even better on the second day. Lithe and light on its feet, this will cellar well for at least another ten years. Drink 2018-2029- 93

2014 Gramercy Cellars 'L' Idiot Du Village' Mourvèdre- Having a translucent core, this wine was sourced from the Olsen and Alder Ridge Vineyards. Fermented for 15 months in used oak, this was 58% whole cluster fermented. This wine begins with bright aromas of smoked pork shoulder, wet rock, orange rind, black cherry and black olive. This leads to bright flavors of blueberry compote, green tea, blackberry cobbler and hints of blood orange rind. Open and polished, this is seriously delicious wine that improves with a one hour decant. Drink 2017-2027- 93

2014 Gramercy Cellars 'John Lewis' Syrah- This outstanding wine was sourced from the Minick, Forgotten Hills and Red Willow Vineyards. Needing more than an hour decant, this wine begins with bright aromas of black tea, black cherry, green peppercorn, anise and sagebrush with wet gravel. Seductive and showing wonderful range, the wine has mouth watering flavors of green olive tapenade, Chinese black tea, black cherry cough syrup and blackberry jam with orange zest hints. The minerality is top notch. The combination of black fruits and citrus hints, makes this currently impossible to resist. Try to give this one more year for things to further amalgamate. Drink 2018-2030- 94

2013 Gramercy Cellars 'Columbia Valley' Cabernet Sauvignon- This gorgeous Cabernet wine is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot.  It was aged in 40% new French oak with the rest aged in 2-5 year old French barrels. It was sourced from a host of Vineyard including Phinny Hill, Two Blondes, Bacchus, Dionysus, Octave, Loess & Old Stones Vineyards. The wine begins with aromatics reminiscent of black cherry, black olive, mint, coffee grounds and boysenberry liquor. This leads to flavors of Turkish coffee, black cherry compote, blackberry torte, red bell pepper and milk chocolate. Exceedingly delicious, this has a wonderful mouthfeel and polished light tannins at this juncture. The Cabernet is even smoother and more polished on the second day. This is balanced and precise Cabernet is impossible to put down right now. Drink 2017-2028- 94