Gramercy Cellars
Today we share the outstanding wines of Gramercy Cellars. This winery was founded more than twenty years ago by winemaker and master sommelier, Greg Harrington, MS. For years Gramercy has been making some of the finest Rhones and Rose wines in Washington State. 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. These are wines that embody structure and poise, with good richness and varietal character. The wines have typically a small amount of new French oak utilized and many of these wines were stored in barrel for more than twenty months.
This is another knockout lineup by Gramercy. Check out the 2021 Gramercy Cellars ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which is arguably the finest wine I have tasted from this house. Dazzling and deep, with serious nerve, try to resist this beauty for at least another year. 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.
2020 Gramercy Cellars ‘Lower East’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2020 ‘Lower East’ Cabernet Sauvignon mainly comes from the Phinny Hill vineyard as well as the Gramercy Estates site. Nearly all aged in natural oak barrels, this offers dried herbs and Arabica bean notes combine with shades of dark currants and chocolate on the nose. The palate comes off clean with medium-bodied roasted figs, dark cherry and good verve. This is a really nice effort from a tough vintage that is best enjoyed now. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2021 Gramercy Cellars ‘Estate’ Merlot- The 2021 ‘Gramercy Estates’ Merlot has 15% Cabernet Franc blended in. Stored in only 17% new French oak, this delivers kirsch and sandalwood notes on the nose, with suggestions of sagebrush and baking spices that all meld in the glass. The palate is soft, round and generous in terms of richness and texture. Delicious now, watch this elegant 2021 Merlot evolve over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2024-2036- 94
2021 Gramercy Cellars ‘Gramercy Estates’ Red Wine- This warm vintage edition of the Gramercy Estates combines nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon (82%) with Cabernet Franc and a splash of Petit Verdot. Coming from their JB George and Octave Estate vineyards, the wine was aged for 22 months in only 35% new French oak prior to bottling. This comes off lush and inviting on the mouth, delivering pencil lead and menthol flavors that mingle well with a generous core of dark fruits. Delightful now, enjoy over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2036- 94
2021 Gramercy Cellars ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc- The 2021 ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc is 100% varietal and was stored in mainly neutral oak barrels prior to bottling. Sourced from the JB George Vineyard at 1750 feet in the Walla Walla Valley, this shows off beautiful red florals and herbal undertones on the nose, with red bell pepper, cassis and anise notes all singing in unison. The palate shows beautiful depth and structured, as refined tannins frame a gorgeous core of black fruits. Delicious now, enjoy over the next fifteen years. Drink 2024-2039- 94
2021 Gramercy Cellars ‘Forgotten Hills’ Syrah- The 2021 ‘Forgotten Hills’ Syrah has a small amount of Walla Walla Rocks District Syrah blended in. Given 56% whole cluster fermentation, this was stored for 21 months in nearly all neutral oak before bottling. The faintest rocky stone character marks the nose alongside Umami, allspice dusted black fruits and suggestions of Nori with white peppercorns. The palate is a total knockout in terms of flavor range and bright underlying acidity. This has to be the one of the finest editions of this wine yet. Drink 2024-2039- 95
2021 Gramercy Cellars ‘Lagniappe’ Syrah- The 2021 ‘Lagniappe’ comes from the Red Willow Vineyard in the Yakima Valley. Gramercy has been sourcing from this site for more than past ten years, as the Syrah underwent all whole cluster fermentation and was stored in only 8% new French oak before bottling. Charcuterie and black raspberry notes mingle well with lavender and shades of dark rose petals, with smoky accents on the nose. The palate shows downright awesome flavor range, richness and bright underlying tension. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2038- 95
2021 Gramercy Cellars ‘L’Idiot Du Village’ Mourvedre- Always one of the finest editions of this varietal in the state, the 2021 Gramercy Cellars ‘L’Idiot Du Village’ Mourvedre comes entirely from the Olsen Vineyard and has a pinch of Carignan blended in. Despite being translucent in the glass, this has beautiful depth and weight, with a glorious core of red fruits that parade with blood orange zest, seaweed, white pepper dusted bacon and shades of tar on the palate. Bright and lively, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2034- 94
2021 Gramercy Cellars ‘John Lewis Reserve’ Syrah- This 2021 edition of the Gramercy Cellars ‘John Lewis Reserve’ Syrah comes almost entirely fromBlock 46 at the Les Collines Vineyard, with a small portion of fruit sourced from the Forgotten Hills Vineyard. Stored for 21 months in 20% new French oak barrels, this exudes class with loganberry compote, wet stone and dried herbs on the nose that combine with suggestions of smoked brisket. The palate comes off fresh and inviting with serious texture and underlying verve. Just a baby, give this another year to shed its fat — but a massive potential is there. Drink 2025-2040- 96
2021 Gramercy Cellars ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The chiseled and muscle-bound 2021 Gramercy Cellars ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a burly rendition of this wine that has a touch of Petit Verdot (3%) blended in. Sourced form the Bacchus, Phinny Hill and Octave Vineyards, this was stored in 45% new French oak barrels. Needing about an hour in the decanter to really get going, this shows off dense dark fruits on the nose, with milk chocolate, garrigue and pencil lead, alongside loamy soil accents. The palate shows some serious power and finesse — an iron fist in velvet glove. Wait on this beauty for at least another year. Drink 2026-2045- 97