Friday Sips
FRIDAY SIPS
Gramercy Cellars & Cameron
Today March 23 from 1:30 - 6:30
Gramercy Cellars & Cameron
Today March 23 from 1:30 - 6:30
Four wines from two of the Northwest’s most prolific producers, Cameron and Gramercy cellars. One red and one white from each. An excellent opportunity to try wines that aren’t regularly uncorked!
2013 GRAMERCY CELLARS SYRAH
COLUMBIA VALLEY
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
COLUMBIA VALLEY
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
There certainly is some merit to all of the chatter occurring over Walla Walla's Syrahs and Rhone-inspired blends, some deserved, some not-so-deserved. The variance of styles could easily be compared to a Spaghetti Western, one that I would name, ‘The Good, The Bad and The Robitussin’. Led by Greg Harrington, Gramercy Cellars is definitely in the good camp, in fact, we would probably say the really (insert favorite colorful metaphor here) good camp. Commencing with their initial vintage with the 2005, The Cellar Door have been ardent supporters of what this Walla Walla-based producer has done and continues to put forth. Alas with immense accolades has come demand and the Gramercy wines can be a bit of a challenge to obtain so it is a real thrill to be able to pour one for you today.
‘Readers looking for a killer Syrah to purchase to see what Washington is all about couldn't do any better than a bottle of the 2013 Columbia Valley Syrah from Gramercy. Possessing lots of gamy, olive, peppery, lavender and salted meats, with a core of ripe plum and darker fruits, this beauty is full-bodied, supple, polished and utterly seamless, with no hard edges and a clean, focused finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. Buy this beauty by the case and drink it over the coming decade. – 94 PTS – WINE ADVOCATE’
‘Readers looking for a killer Syrah to purchase to see what Washington is all about couldn't do any better than a bottle of the 2013 Columbia Valley Syrah from Gramercy. Possessing lots of gamy, olive, peppery, lavender and salted meats, with a core of ripe plum and darker fruits, this beauty is full-bodied, supple, polished and utterly seamless, with no hard edges and a clean, focused finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. Buy this beauty by the case and drink it over the coming decade. – 94 PTS – WINE ADVOCATE’
2017 GRAMERCY CELLARS PICPOUL
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
Affectionately known by us as the ministry of cool Washington red wines, it is a thrill to see the team at one of our favorite Walla Walla producers making a killer white wine. Of course, Gramercy would make it from Rhone/Southern French varietals from a temperate site in Walla Walla. Picpoul, when translated means lip stinger, is one of the 13 varietals permitted in Chateauneuf-du-Pape as well as thriving in and around the Pinet area of Languedoc.
A fantastic NW shellfish white wine, perhaps we should christen it as Grand Cru Washington Picpoul??? Why not. Then again, that defeats the purpose of this excellent drinking wine. Delicately pale in color, the nose offers a dazzling display of lime and pear with a soft kiss of white peach. The palate brings forth pear and bright lemon-lime with more than just a kiss of minerality and briskness that sweeps the entire palate. Deliciously whimsical and a delightful match with steamed mussels or clams jacked with anise or done in a slightly spicy Asian preparation.
A fantastic NW shellfish white wine, perhaps we should christen it as Grand Cru Washington Picpoul??? Why not. Then again, that defeats the purpose of this excellent drinking wine. Delicately pale in color, the nose offers a dazzling display of lime and pear with a soft kiss of white peach. The palate brings forth pear and bright lemon-lime with more than just a kiss of minerality and briskness that sweeps the entire palate. Deliciously whimsical and a delightful match with steamed mussels or clams jacked with anise or done in a slightly spicy Asian preparation.
2017 CAMERON GIOVANNI
'VIGNA PINOT BIANCO'
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
'VIGNA PINOT BIANCO'
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE
John Paul up and does it again! The new release of Giovanni and 11.7% alcohol from a full on October vintage.
As usual, the base here is Pinot Blanc with a small amount of numerous other grapes blended in for complexity. Pure, forward yet very brisk flavors of spiced pear, tangerine and bright stony perfume, this white possesses excellent depth along with impeccable lift and freshness that cleanses the palate and leaves you wanting more, more, more! Enjoy with roasted chicken and mushrooms, crab and other rich shellfish dishes.
2015 CAMERON PINOT NOIR
'ARLEY'S LEAP'
$44.99 BTL./$539.88 CASE
'ARLEY'S LEAP'
$44.99 BTL./$539.88 CASE
Cameron's Arley's Leap Pinot Noir is the secret weapon, super-deal on John Paul's formidable roster. Known as Arley's Leap because it is named after Abbey Ridge Vineyard owners Bill & Julia Wayne's dear, old departed dog, Arley, whose famous leap was from a second story balcony in Victoria when startled by a cat!
The Arley's Leap Cuvée is made from Abbey Ridge fruit, specifically a block of vines that are originally from clippings from the Clos Electrique vineyard that were planted on a hillside above the original vines in 1990. The wine is also "enhanced" by a touch of some older fruit that does not go into the big Abbey Ridge and Clos Electrique and ultimately shows the prowess of John's blending abilities and the results are beyond stunning.
Sexy perfume soars from the glass. Lavender, violet, underlying red licorice and fine cooking herbs prevail. Crunchy dark tones combine nicely with virtual warm-vintage Burgundian sensibilities of smoked meat and strawberry. Graceful, layered and sensuous in the mouth with engaging Asian spices - this penetrates deeply, but is true to its Pinot Noir roots, meaning that it is NOT A PINOT FOR CAB LOVERS! Lots of lift and suppleness arrive on the finish to provide fantastic balance. The quality of John's two best sites especially show on the back end as it sticks around for what seems like an eternity. Drinkable now but will also age and develop nicely through 2027. Kickass juice from one of Oregon's masters…Bravo!
The Arley's Leap Cuvée is made from Abbey Ridge fruit, specifically a block of vines that are originally from clippings from the Clos Electrique vineyard that were planted on a hillside above the original vines in 1990. The wine is also "enhanced" by a touch of some older fruit that does not go into the big Abbey Ridge and Clos Electrique and ultimately shows the prowess of John's blending abilities and the results are beyond stunning.
Sexy perfume soars from the glass. Lavender, violet, underlying red licorice and fine cooking herbs prevail. Crunchy dark tones combine nicely with virtual warm-vintage Burgundian sensibilities of smoked meat and strawberry. Graceful, layered and sensuous in the mouth with engaging Asian spices - this penetrates deeply, but is true to its Pinot Noir roots, meaning that it is NOT A PINOT FOR CAB LOVERS! Lots of lift and suppleness arrive on the finish to provide fantastic balance. The quality of John's two best sites especially show on the back end as it sticks around for what seems like an eternity. Drinkable now but will also age and develop nicely through 2027. Kickass juice from one of Oregon's masters…Bravo!
