2010 Gramercy Cellars, The Third Man, Columbia Valley, Washington State.
Master Sommelier and winemaker Greg Harrington’s Gramercy Cellars is making some of the Pacific Northwest’s most exciting wines, along with likes of Charles Smith and Christophe Baron, making great Syrah, Cabernet and Grenache from the Columbia Valley. The Third Man is a Grenache based red, with a touch of Mourvedre and Syrah, very influenced by Chateauneuf du Pape, with heady ripe fruit and liqueur flavors with a full body, hints of sweet herbs and spices. The alcohol is about 14.7%, so nothing crazy just big, and only 10% new oak, so there is mostly the purity of terroir and fruit showing through, there is a soft mineral essence and a good dose of coco powder, with a trace of meat and lavender as well, adding to the complexity in this hedonistic wine. The main force is boysenberry, creme de cassis, baked cherry and black plum on the round palate with fennel/anise, kirsch, pepper and dusty chalk notes. This a a long dark tunnel of wine, stylish, lush and intriguing throughout, most definitely recommended.
($50 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive
