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Gomer's Midtown Weekly Newsletter
A New Star in Walla Walla!
I think if you have enjoyed wine for a while, somewhere in the back of
your mind you have dreamed about what it would be like to make
it. There's an allure to wine country, to the idea of farming
your small corner of it and producing wines that people will love in
the same way that you love the wines you drink.
I have friends who have done it. All of them will say it is much harder
than even the most realistic dreamer thinks. They talk of the
heartbreak and despair of things like stuck fermentations and freak
hailstorms and the backbreaking work around the winery. But still,
people ditch everything and go, and we should be grateful, because we
get to enjoy both the fruits and the wine of their labor.
Master Sommelier Greg Harrington and his wife Pam left their jobs in
2005 to found Gramercy cellars. Greg fell in love with Walla Walla and
Washington wines while he served as the Beverage Director for a large
hotel and restaurant chain. I would tell you more of their story, but
they have posted a
youtube video describing their journey to the glamourous world of winemaking
(very tongue-in-cheek - and contains a couple of swear words).
Greg founded Gramercy Cellars with a commitment to ripe fruit without
the full throttle alcohol levels that have become more and more common.
The wines are beautiful expressions of their vineyard sites, with
limited new oak treatment.
Their first vintage was 2005 - Greg was the youngest person to ever
pass the Master Sommelier exam, and it is clear that he is a quick
study when it comes to anything wine; with just three vintages under
his belt he is already considered one of the top winemakers in the
region, with high scores and accolades from multiple publications.
And I think they're pretty good, too! These are produced in
miniscule quantities, with most going to the mailing list. We received
one case of each, and I already sold a couple bottle today. The Syrahs
are archtypes for what Washington does best - balance new world
richness with old world finesse and complexity. The same holds true of
the Gramercy Cabernet - Washington may be producing the best value
high-end Cabernet in the world - again, balancing on the fine line
between boldness and grace.
The other two wines are made from grapes that Greg believes are a huge
part of Washington's future - Grenache (blended with a healthy chunk of
Syrah, Chateauneuf-style) and Tempranillo. The Grenache is their
biggest wine (the Syrah tames it). The Tempranillo has the rich red
flavors and vanilla notes of a good Rioja Riserva - think Spain
teleported to Walla Walla.
Gramercy Cellars 2007 Walla Walla Valley Syrah - $41.49/
bt
Gramercy Cellars 2007 'Lagniappe' Columbia Valley Syrah - $39.99/bt
Gramercy Cellars 2007 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - $42.29/bt
Gramercy Cellars 2007 Columbia Valley Grenache - $39.29/bt
Gramercy Cellars 2007 Walla Walla Valley 'Inigo Montoya' Tempranillo - $39.29/bt
These are all very, very limited. Act fast!
August Tastings!
We've begun getting the calendar ready for some fun tastings in August.
Mid-month we will be looking at top quality white wines for the summer
dry Austrian and German Whites, and some other noteworthy heat beaters.
At the end of August, we will be tasting wines from Australia.
Dates, times and details will be forthcoming in the next email...
Jim Coley
Wine Director
Gomer's Midtown
August 13th Newsletter
August 6th Newsletter
July 30 Newsletter
July 23 Newsletter
July 16 Newsletter
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