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 2008 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. "Although a wine of mixed messages that range from candy to tropical fruit to toast, minerals and lees, this dense, firmly built effort presently wants for continuity and more precise focus. As is the norm for Grgich Hills' wines, it is fairly tight and quite firm in balance, but rather than being a liability, that tightness augers well for age. We would opt for a bit of patience here, and, given the winery's track record for long-aging wines, this one seems a safe bet for keeping." 91 points, Connoisseur's Guide to California Wines, Oct 2010 "Bright yellow with gold and green highlights. Musky white peach, hazelnut, ginger and floral honey on the nose and palate. Offers a sexy sweetness on entry, then shows moderate density but good lift in the middle. Intriguing soil tones contribute to an impression of subtle complexity. Gained in weight and harmony as it opened in the glass. There are nearly 30,000 cases of this Chardonnay." 90 points, International Wine Cellar, May/June 2011 "Classy and full of swagger, this makes a stylish entrance with aromas of smoky oak, vanilla and tropical fruit. It charms the palate with waves of sophisticated flavour, ripe Bosc Pear, sweet white peach and spice-infused citrus wreathed in nutty nuances. It's mid weight, creamy textured and dishes up a delicious, fruit-forward refreshing aftertaste." 4.5/5 stars, winecurrent.com, June 9, 2011

Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 In the glass the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon's deep colour 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. "Bright medium red-ruby. Aromas and flavours of currant, tobacco leaf, fresh herbs, menthol and oak. The palate offers good juicy energy, with redder fruits, especially raspberry, emerging with air. Pepper and herb notes contribute definition to this essentially supple wine. Finishes with a fine spine of dusty tannins that will require at least six or seven years of cellaring." 89(+?) points, Int'l Wine Cellar, May/June 2011 "Croatia-native Mike Grgich produces splendidly balanced wines from organic, biodynamically grown grapes. This full-bodied red shows a smooth, polished core, with a Bordeaux-like nuance of minerals and well-integrated tannins. Decant it if you can and pair it with roast beef or rare duck breast. It could also improve with up to 15 years in the cellar." 92 points, Globe & Mail, June 22, 2011 "This is still a long way from prime drinking, but already it gives a sense of wonderful balance and proportion, combining the generosity of Napa cabernet with discreet oak influence and deceptive underlying structure that should see it age comfortably for twenty years." 4.8/5 points, John Szabo MS, winealign.com, June 17, 2011

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

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