No Mercy from Gramercy Cellars!

No Mercy from Gramercy!

Behind an iron gated front label, within walls of glass and under cork is a wine like few others from Washington State, resting undisturbed in patience. “GARSON!!” That is until a savvy or rather lucky--and equally fortunate wine patron orders a bottle from our “Damn Good Wine List”, here at Bastille Café & Bar. The wine, Gramercy Cellars “Inigo Montoya” Tempranillo 2007, is without a doubt Walla Walla at its very best. It’s made by Greg Harrington, the youngest American to ever pass the Master Sommelier Exam, and he has a merciless approach to his winemaking. Greg’s work with this grape (Tempranillo), has quite simply dumbfounded the Washington wine community with its only recently realized potential.

Gramercy Cellars was founded in 2005 by Greg and his wife Pam, who handles the marketing and retail sales. Their philosophy to making wine is the following: in order to make truly great wines it takes minimal intervention, great vineyards, time and patience. They look to select only the very best grapes, harvest ripe (not overripe) and avoid smothering the wine in new oak, like so many in the business do. Regardless, the point is, IT’S FRICKIN’ WORKING!!!

The levels of complexity that this wine achieves are staggering, here are my tasting notes: Dried fruits of raisins and dates; fall leaves; earth; and a medley of fresh wild red, black and blue fruit--it’s a wine for thinking. I sensed moderate levels of alcohol and noted a lacing of firm acidity. A focus wine for me, is one that has no apparent end or beginning, and it slithers down the center of you palate. This wine does just that for me. Add to that a bite of braised beef or a morsel of wild mushroom…have another sip, and time becomes easily lost, also seemingly endless. I could go on…

For all things holy, take the time to taste this wine. It may not be on the Bastille wine list for long. Other wines listed from Greg Harrington include: Gramercy Cellars Syrah “Lagniappe” and Wines of Substance, Cabernet Sauvignon (his second label), by the glass for $10. Show no mercy!

Dave Bender is a sommelier and