Gifting with Gramercy
When I was a child, one of my most anticipated things of the year was the arrival of the Sears catalog – that 8 lb 350-page book of kid’s holiday goodness. I would spend hours looking through the incredible selection of toys, dreaming of the possibilities, and curating the perfect list of desires from Santa and my family. Thanks, Jeff, for ruining that for future generations.
Now that I’m an adult, I don’t have time for that even if I could find a Sears and a catalog. I’m way too busy. And we understand that you are too. So why not make life easy and give the gift of wine – to that special someone, friends, family and colleagues. We put some of our favorite wines in a Gramercy gift box with three levels from which to choose – Reserve, Gold and Silver. Simply select a level and let us do all the work.
2017 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
We base our Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon on the idea of “What is the best of the best in the cellar for that vintage?” The 2017 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon comprises 50% Bacchus Vineyard fruit near Red Mountain and 50% Phinny Hill in the Horse Heaven Hills. Each vineyard is distinctly unique. The old vine parcel at Bacchus, approaching 50 years, gives power and complexity with a fruit-tinged New World slant. The 20 year old block at Phinny Hill, in Horse Heaven Hills, brings earthiness and elegance – decidedly Old World. The wine didn’t even need a supporting cast of other Bordeaux varieties. It is perfect with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Our overarching goal is a wine of complexity and finesse.
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate:
“The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is a smashing success with an impressive array of red and black fruits on the nose with elements of spice and floral nuances that lift the experience to the next level. Wonderful expressions of dusty blackberry, cherry skin and baking spices compounded by aromas of pencil shavings, graphite and cigarbox sway with elements of red and purple flowers. Full-bodied, the wine explodes on the palate with succulent, dusty red and black fruit flavors before showing elements of dried herbs, elegant oak spice and youthful tannins across the mid-palate. The wine evolves over the long, lingering finish, showing complexity, precision and finesse. Give it a few years in the wine cellar before opening. Your patience will be rewarded. Bravo!” 96 PTS – Anthony Mueller
2017 John Lewis Syrah
During our blending sessions, John Lewis is always the first wine considered. In 2017 we kept to the traditional form and exclusively used Les Collines Vineyard. This vintage also afforded us the ability to pick earlier than usual. The Syrah was ripe at very low Brix levels. We saw an opportunity to make a wine that confidently tips its hat to Old World Syrah.
The John Lewis Syrah is a wine of freshness and balance – a wine to ponder and consider. It doesn’t hit you over the head with power. We fermented the wine 100% whole cluster in a Nomblot concrete tank for 25 days with native yeasts. We co-fermented the Syrah with a bit of Viognier, modeling a traditional technique of Côte Rôtie. The Syrah was aged in 10% new 500-liter French oak puncheons for 17 months. Never racked, it was bottled unfined & unfiltered
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate:
“An impressive success, the 2017 Syrah John Lewis begins as a subtle tsunami of flavors, starting with a delicate stemmy note, compounded by black pepper essence, spiced cherry and plum compote before wafting with aromas of dusty black raspberries with sprinkles of cinnamon and baking spices. Medium-bodied, the wine explodes in a kaleidoscope of red-fruited flavors with a spicy, mineral tension that somehow seems to compact itself before gaining in intensity and complexity across the mid-palate. Flavors of black pepper and raspberry crème brûlée finish in waves of elegance on the long, lingering finish. An amazing example of Les Collines Vineyard Syrah, battle-tested to be a juggernaut that continues to deliver pleasure to the palate for more than a minute. I am smitten with this amazing juice!” 96+ PTS – Anthony Mueller
2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
The Cabernet Sauvignon has always contained two vital parts, Phinny Hill and Sagemoor Vineyards. In 2016, we started a noteworthy introduction of our Estate vineyards in Walla Walla. We have moved the vineyards from sustainable to organic and are ecstatic with the results.
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is about 50% Phinny Hill and 40% Sagemoor – Bacchus & Dionysus blocks. Phinny provides red fruit, backbone, and elegance. Sagemoor, with its aging vines from 25 to almost 50 years old, is all about power and complexity. The other 10% includes our two estate vineyards. Our JB George vineyard provided Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Franc and Merlot came from the Octave Estate Vineyard, located adjacent to but high above Seven Hills Vineyard.
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate:
“Dark ruby with soft purple highlights, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon has an impactful and precise nose of juicy plum, dark cherry and blackberry essence that waft with elegant French oak tones of vanilla, cinnamon and cardamom. Medium to full-bodied, the wine has a succulent mouthfeel with oak flavors that bind effortlessly to juicy, plump and dark blackberry essence with subtle flavors of dried herbs and bitter dark chocolate. With a long, drawn-out finish, the wine displays all of its complexities as it lingers on the palate with persistence and a tannic grip. This wine is about layers and texture. Give it a try!” 93+ PTS – Anthony Mueller
2017 “Lagniappe” Red Willow Syrah
The second vineyard designate release of Red Willow Syrah finds us blending the older and younger blocks at the site. This brings a balance of deep red fruit and earth with mid-palate intensity and aromatic complexity. A world class Syrah.
All Red Willow Syrah is fermented predominately in our concrete fermenters. Concrete adds another dimension of minerality and aromatic complexity, which is readily apparent in the wine. The 2017 Red Willow was fermented 90% whole cluster with native yeasts. It was aged in a combination of neutral 500-liter puncheons and 10% new French 225-liter barrels for 18 months.
Jeb Dunnuck:
“The 2017 Syrah Lagniappe comes all from the Red Willow Vineyard and was 10% destemmed and brought up in 10% new French oak. Deeper ruby/purple, with blackberry fruits interwoven with lots of ground pepper, gravelly earth, and iron-laced aromatics, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, ripe yet certainly present tannins, and a great finish. The balance here is spot on and it’s a classic, age-worthy Syrah from this estate. Give bottles 3-5 years and it’s going to evolve for over a decade.”
95 PTS – JD
2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
Our Cabernet contains two vital parts – Phinny Hill & Bacchus Vineyard. Phinny is backbone & elegance. Bacchus, as the vines are 45+ years old, is all about power & complexity. The wine is predominantly Cab Sauv. 7% Walla Walla Merlot in the blend adds mid-palate ‘wow’, & 1% Petit Verdot finishes the wine like salt finishes a great steak. 2016 saw a noteworthy introduction of our Estate vineyards in Walla Walla to the blend. For the past few years, we have moved the vineyards from sustainable to organic and are ecstatic with the results.
Wine Enthusiast:
“Pleasing aromas of cocoa, thyme, dark coffee, graphite and cherry lead to elegant, lip-smacking flavors that still carry a sense of richness. Refined, subtle tannins back it up. Coffee notes linger on the finish. The balance is spot on, and it brings an unabashed sense of deliciousness.” 92 PTS – Sean Sullivan
2016 Walla Walla Syrah
A new wine at Gramercy that should look very familiar to those that have been drinking our Syrah for a while. The Walla Walla Syrah is a blend of Holy Roller Vineyard in the Rocks District with our estate vineyard Forgotten Hills, at the base of the Blue Mountains. There is elegance, power, and beauty in combining the Rocks with fruit that is fresher like Les Collines or Forgotten Hills. These sites are perfect compliments. Forgotten Hills brings elegance, freshness, acidity, & structure while Holy Roller brings power & classic Syrah aromatics.
We fermented the wine in both concrete and small stainless-steel tank with 65% whole cluster. Forgotten Hills was fermented with a much greater proportion of whole cluster than Holy Roller. It was aged in a combination of neutral French puncheons & 225L barrels.
Wine Enthusiast:
“The aromas draw you into the glass, with notes of fine chopped parsley, smoked meat, citrus zest, dried stem and wet gravel. A low-alcohol, über flavorful, savory, acid-driven palate is followed by an extended finish. It’s flat-out delicious and will shine at the dinner table. Pair it with roasted pork with root vegetables.” 93 PTS – Sean Sullivan
If you have a different gift idea, we are happy to customize boxes to your unique needs. Please reach out for pricing, availability, and any other inquiries to info@gramercycellars.com / 509.876.2427.
Virtual Tastings
As always, if you are interested in organizing a Virtual Tasting Event to serve as a team building exercise or holiday gathering, please reach out to Robbi at robbi@gramercycellars.com / 509.876.2427.
Over the years, Greg has hosted tasting events and classes for a wide variety of clients including Silicon Valley Bank, Alliance Bernstein, Cornell, Western Technology Investment, and many others. Whether the event focuses on Gramercy wines or the wines of the Rhône, Bordeaux, or Piedmont, etc. Greg’s unique ability to simplify the complex world of wine speaks to participants of all levels.
Let us help you stay connected this Winter.
