Seattle - November 13, 2007

Que Syrah, Syrah

Gramercy Cellars Syrah

At your last dinner party, Emma brought rosé (um, it’s winter), Jessie brought a California red (obvious), and Ben dared offer Charles Shaw (seriously?).

Aww. Sounds like somebody needs cheese with that whine.

So lead by example with Gramercy Cellars’s 2005 syrahs, the debut vintages from fledgling vintner and scary-talented sommelier Greg Harrington.

Harrington, the youngest American ever to pass the Master Sommelier exam, used to run wine programs for Emeril Lagasse and Wolfgang Puck. But so floored was he by vino from little old Walla Walla that he ditched it all to make wine in the Pacific Northwest.

Gramercy’s Walla Walla Valley syrah has flavors of smoked meat, black olive, and licorice with a kiss of vanilla spice; the Columbia Valley Lagniappe syrah is more intense with a hint of orange rind.

That the wines have lovely labels is just another perk.

One appreciated best by picky hosts.

Available at McCarthy & Schiering, 2401b Queen Anne Avenue North (206-282-8500 or mccarthyandschiering.com). For more information, go to gramercycellars.com.