The Third Man (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre) (Archived) 2008

Winemaker’s Notes:

“No, we haven’t lost our minds. We’re making a prediction: within 20 years Grenache will be among the top 3 noted varietals in Washington. Grenache is good. Grenache works. Grenache particularly loves the Horse Heaven Hills. We wanted to make a wine in the tradition of the Southern Rhone Valley, reminiscent of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Giogondas or Vacqueyras. We blended the Grenache with 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre, a common ratio in the Rhone. Mourvedre is new in the blend this vintage. Alongside our Grenache at Alder Ridge, we found a wonderful block of Mourvedre and just been blown away by it. The intention was always to have Mourvede in this wine, but we didn’t expect a full 20%. This is a big wine, somewhat atypical for Gramercy, but Grenache stays balanced at higher alcohols, especially when blended with Minick Syrah for acidity. It’s a dead ringer for a Southern Rhone wine. This is a fantastic wine for those who may not yet have converted to the Temple of Lower Alcohol.

The name “The Third Man” follows Greg’s Mt. Rainier summit in the summer of 2009. While Greg thankfully did not experience this personally, when climbers get in trouble, many have reported feeling the presence of a “third man” in the climbing team who helps them find their way down the mountain to safety. Even the only person to get down the World Trade Center from above the 86th floor, reported experiencing this phenomenon. The wine exhibits stone, granite, mushroom and sweet red fruits.”