Hope you all are having a great start to your Memorial Day weekend. Today we present some of the outstanding spring releases you will taste from Washington State. Gramercy Cellars was founded by winemaker and master sommelier, Greg Harrington, MS, as they craft both Rhone and Bordeaux varietals, sourcing from some of the top vineyards in the state. They have been making world-class Rose for many 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. These are wines that embody structure and poise, with good richness and varietal character.
I’m enamored by the great range by Gramercy. Check out the 2021 Gramercy Cellars ‘The Third Man’ Grenache (OB, 95) which has ultra-pure red fruits and great nuance. 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.
2023 Gramercy Cellars ‘Olsen Vineyard’ Rose- Truly a great Rhone-inspired Rose from the Yakima Valley, the 2023 Olsen Vineyard’ Rose combines Cinsault (50%) with equal portions Syrah and Grenache. This is highly complex stuff with shades of white truffle that combine with Mandarin orange zest, watermelon, and red cherry Starburst candy. Nicely textured and very pretty, this is delight to savor in its youth this will surely live on for another seven plus years to come. Drink 2023-2030- 93
2023 Gramercy Cellars Picpoul- The very juicy 2023 Picpoul was sourced from the Walla Walla Valley. Kiwi and green melon tones combine with salted nectarine and nutty tones on the nose. The plate is fresh and neatly textured with serious tension. A joy to consume now, this really needs a hot summer day to revel in its beautiful verve. Drink 2024-2028- 92
2019 Gramercy Cellars ‘Sojeau Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Coming from the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, this delivers plenty of concentration considering the coolness of the vintage. Rich red cherry and red currants parade with baking spices and crushed mint, with freshly tilled salty soils on the palate. Showing good weight and length, enjoy over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2024-2034- 93
2021 Gramercy Cellars ‘The Third Man’ Grenache- Pure and lithe, the 2021 ‘The Third Man’ is nearly all Grenache (77%) with small portions Syrah and Mourvèdre. Gorgeous red cherry and red raspberry flavors combine with shades of Provencale herbs, orange zest and damp soils on the palate. The silky and refined mouthfeel really adds to the enjoyment. A total show-stopper, with plenty of depth, weight and tension, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2034- 95
2021 Gramercy Cellars ‘Lower East’ Syrah- The 2021 ‘Lower East’ is a fantastic value from this warm vintage. Aged in nearly all neutral barrels, this offers black pepper dusted bacon, dark currants and tobacco leaf on the nose. The palate is nicely concentrated, showing good underlying verve despite the heat of the vintage. This is marvelous Syrah that is already nicely evolved. Drink 2024-2032- 92
2020 Gramercy Cellars ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Syrah- Always a really good value buy, the 2020 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Syrah is an outstanding wine from a tough vintage. This comes off clean and saturated in its deep dark fruit profile, with pencil lead, iodine and shades of dark chocolate shavings. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2028- 92
2020 Gramercy Cellars ‘Les Collines’ Syrah- Sourced from this top spot for Syrah in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, the 2020 Gramercy Cellars ‘Les Collines’ Syrah delivers medium-bodied dark fruit flavors with dried herbs and plenty of stony minerals on the palate, with blood orange zest accents. Enjoy now and over the next several years. Drink 2024-2028- 92
2020 Gramercy Cellars ‘Holy Roller Vineyard’ Syrah- Coming from this site owned by Chris Figgins in the Rocks District, the 2020 Gramercy Cellars ‘Holy Roller Vineyard’ Syrah offers bulls blood and creosote notes alongside smoldering stone, Umami, Nori and dark cherry flavors. Seriously good, with good tension and richness, no reason to cellar this beauty. Drink 2024-2029- 94
2020 Gramercy Cellars ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A really good wine from 2020, the ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows off medium bodied sagebrush, tar, pipe tobacco and black raspberry flavors that mingle with copious minerals on the palate. Really well-done, with exquisite poise, this would be a masterful pairing for such a range of steaks — or a juicy burger. Drink 2024-2030- 93
2020 Gramercy Cellars ‘Phinny Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A beautiful Cabernet from this site located in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, the 2020 Gramercy Cellars ‘Phinny Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows off cassis, anise and loganberry notes alongside wet gravel and firm tannins on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, with good length, enjoy over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030- 94