{"product_id":"gramercy-cellars-the-third-man-grenache-2016-750ml","title":"Gramercy Cellars The Third Man Grenache 2016 (750ml)","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eA Manhattan-based Master Sommelier tastes some Washington State wines and is so inspired, he sells everything to move across the country to make his own. That’s the start of the story of Gramercy Cellars, where a close eye on the grapes (picked for almost-peak ripeness, mostly organic), matched with minimalist wine making techniques (no or little new oak, no additives) and a lot of time (extended aging) has created wine that’s considered some of the best that Washington offers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSommelier for leading restauranteurs and the near perfect growing conditions near Walla Walla to create some of the best-reviewed wines from the region. The results are intense, yet restrained; elegant, yet earthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis kind of balance starts with the vineyards. The Walla Walla and surrounding AVAs offer the perfect climate and soil conditions for the kind of wines Greg wanted to make. Gramercy farms its grapes from old vines, carefully tended. It owns three estate vineyards, and controls several others, to ensure the grapes are grown and picked for the specific profile Gramercy is trying to achieve. Many of its wines—particularly its Rhônes—are single-vineyard estate wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAt the winery, Greg and partner\/co-winemaker Brandon Moss carefully design fermentation per the effect they are trying to achieve; sometimes in concrete, sometimes in oak, always with patience and minimalism. The result is honest and complex wines that pair well with food and age well. And get reviewed well!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhen we first started making Third Man, it would take us the same amount of time to blend this wine as every other wine combined. To begin, we always start with the basics, established in France a long time ago – 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah. What does the wine need? Freshness and earth? Add Syrah. Meatiness and tannin? Add Mourvèdre. Mid palate and a little something extra? Carignan. We are not, however, wedded to this ratio. I can easily see a blend of 33% each Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. In 2012, we asked Olsen Vineyard to plant head trained (Gobelet) Grenache vines for us. This style of planting is the most prevalent in the world, dominates the great vineyards of the Southern Rhone and is proven to make remarkable Grenache. We are so excited for what this adds to The Third Man blend. This Grenache has shown exceptional quality level for a planting so young. In fact, we are already fermenting the block with 100% whole cluster. With the benefit of shading on the clusters to prevent sunburn and getting fruit closer to the ground, we achieve greater concentration of flavors and firmer structure in the grapes. The 2016 Third Man is 75% Grenache, 13% Syrah, 12% Mourvèdre from Olsen and Alder Ridge Vineyards. The Alder Ridge Vineyard contributes power and structure, while the Olsen Vineyard lends elegance and grace to the blend. In 2015, the finished wine was 85% whole cluster. In 2016, we upped the stem percentage a bit to 90% whole cluster. Tasting Notes: Cranberry, raspberry, blackberry, plum. Bright, fresh and alive in the glass. Some white pepper, smoke, meat, black pepper, and red flower. Dense and elegant on the palate with fresh acidity. Provence herb, rock\/mineral, black and blue fruit on the palate. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gramercy Cellars","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42976010502368,"sku":"110883","price":43.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0649\/9713\/0464\/products\/gramercy-cellars-the-third-man-grenache_1.jpg?v=1663887083","url":"https:\/\/www.mywineconnection.com\/products\/gramercy-cellars-the-third-man-grenache-2016-750ml","provider":"My Wine Connection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}