Grgich Hills Napa Valley

Grgich Hills Cellar, located in Rutherford in the middle of beautiful Napa Valley, was founded in 1977 through the efforts of Miljenko "Mike" Grgich and Austin E. Hills of the Hills Brothers coffee family. Grgich had first drawn worldwide attention in 1976 as a result of the famous "Paris Tasting" in which an all French panel of judges chose his 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay over the best of the white Burgundies in a blind tasting. Grgich had the skill and expertise to make great wines and Hills, owner of established vineyards, had a background in business and finance. Over the last 30 years, the winery has continued the tradition of making world class wines which earn countless special awards and recognition. Always the innovators and industry leaders, the vineyards are certified organic and are farmed Biodynamically. This holistic farming practice uses the earth's natural cycles and organic preparations to grow balanced, healthy vines without artificial fertilizers, pesticides, or fungicides. In 2006, the winery was retrofitted to use only solar power.

Chardonnay 2005 This concentrated and balanced wine begins with a seductive bouquet of pineapple and jasmine, followed on the palate by white peaches, minerality and a hint of nuttiness. This wine doesn't go through malolactic fermentation, which gives it sufficient crispness and acidity to balance the wine's concentrated fruit character and to pair well with food. "Pale, bright yellow. Perfumed aromas of orange zest, spices and flowers. Very fresh and juicy, with a firm texture to the flavours of talc, ginger and citrus peel. Finishes dry and bracing, with a note of candied orange peel." 89 points, Int'l Wine Cellar May/June 2008

Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 In the glass the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon's deep color promises rich flavours-and it delivers with cassis, blackberries and just a hint of earthy truffles and cedar. In the mouth, the wine is well balanced between acid and tannin and the smooth, velvety finish offers a touch of pepper. Enjoyable upon release, this is a wine that will gain even more complexity with some bottle age. The wine's fine structure and rich flavours make it perfect with grilled and braised meat dishes and hearty cheeses. "Menthol aromas with nuances of cherry fruit and spicy peppermint. Creamy, ripe red fruit and anise with a secondary mineral flavour. Sweet finish with hints of tobacco and cedar." 90 points, The Wine News, Spring 2008

Zinfandel 2005 Zinfandel has always been special to Grgich Hills, as Mike Grgich was instrumental in the discovery of the variety's origin- his home country of Croatia. The 2005 vintage is the third estate grown Zinfandel; all of the grapes came from their own organically farmed Calistoga vineyard. It has an aromatic bouquet of licorice, boysenberry, and a hint of cola, which leads into concentrated flavours of ripe black cherry and blackberry. Acidity and chewy tannins lead into a persistent licorice and black fruit finish.

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All wines are available by the unmixed case to Licensees and Private Consumers, subject to availability.

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