It is my pleasure to share one of the outstanding Walla Walla producers that is also a great location to visit. Gramercy Cellars was founded by winemaker and master sommelier, Greg Harrington, MS, as he crafts both Rhone and Bordeaux varietals, and sources from some of the top vineyards in the state. He and Gramercy partner Brandon Moss also makes some of the best Rose in the Pacific Northwest as their Rose wines have consistently been towards the top of my Pacific Northwest Rose Report over the past few years.
It is remarkable that Harrington incredibly passed the master sommelier exam at the age of 26. Partner and co-winemaker, Brandon Moss, shares Greg’s focus on prime fruit and minimal intervention, showcasing the typicity of the individual varietal. Regardless of vintages, I am highly impressed with the range of wines that gramercy produces.
I love the new Gramercy releases. Do not miss out on the 2022 Gramercy Cellars Rose (OB, 93) which is one f the great Rose wines that I have tasted this year. The wine shows insane texture with pure red fruits. Learn more about these amazing wines at gramercycellars.com Here are the fantastic new wines by Gramercy Cellars and the superstar winemaking team of Greg Harrington, MS and Brandon Moss.
2022 Gramercy Cellars ‘Olsen Vineyard’ Rose- One of the outstanding Rose wines made in the Pacific Northwest, this cooler vintage version from 20022 is sourced from this great site in the Yakima Valley. A blend of mostly Cinsault (50%) with equal parts Syrah and Grenache, this can benefit from thirty minutes of air. Once aroused you are greeted to pink bubblegum aromatics that mingle well with wet stone, Enoki mushroom and shades of red cherry candy. The palate is very fresh, lithe and soft with a seamless texture. The bright underlying acidity makes this particularly difficult to resist even right now, as this will easily cellar for another five to seven years, picking up earthy tones as it ages gracefully. Drink 2023-2029- 93
2022 Gramercy Cellars Picpoul- The soft and bright 2022 Picpoul offers really nice flavor range with a silky mouthfeel. Kiwi, gooseberry and salted green melon flavors all marvelously combine on the palate. Enjoy this over the next few years while the bright minerality remains intact. Drink 2023-2028- 92
2020 Gramercy ‘The Third Man’ Grenache- This edition of ‘The Third Man’ has 21% Syrah blended in with just a dash of Mourvèdre. Very pure red fruits greet you with blood orange zest, smoked brisket and shades of white pepper on the palate. Nicely textured, with good length, enjoy this very clean and well-balanced Grenache now and over the next five plus years. Drink 2023-2028- 93
2019 Gramercy Cellars ‘Lagniappe Red Willow Vineyard’ Syrah- Smoky and savory, the 2019 Gramercy Cellars ‘Lagniappe Red Willow Vineyard’ Syrah is a brilliant effort in this slightly cooler vintage. Once on the nose this takes on white pepper dusted bacon and cigar box notes that combine with suggestions of creosote, and boysenberry preserves. The palate is soft and inviting with seriously good flavor range and a silky texture. If you don’t love this wine then you won’t love Washington Syrah. Drink 2023-2035- 94
2019 Gramercy Cellars ‘Forgotten Hills Vineyard’ Syrah- Coming from this site in the Walla Walla Valley, the ‘Forgotten Hills Vineyard’ is set at the base of the Blue Mountains and is a stony site with copious broken basalt. Wet stone, iodine and wild blackberry tones combine on the nose with peat moss accents. The palate is plush and soft with a silky texture. This shows incredible refinement once on the mouth, as it comes across quite weightless, with wonderful length and flavor range — from tart red fruits and stony elements to citrus and pine needles. A very Pinotesque Syrah from the Walla Walla Valley, this will surely gratify somms looking for a literal cornucopia of food pairings. Drink 2023-2035- 94