Grgich Hills Estate, located on the famous Rutherford Bench in Napa, was created in 1977 by already internationally celebrated winemaker Miljenko “Mike” Grgich. Already celebrated, because Mike had worked for Souverain, Christian Brothers, Beaulieu Vineyards and Robert Mondavi Winery before joining Chateau Montelena as winemaker and limited partner in 1972. If you’ve seen the movie “Bottle Shock,” you’d know that this is significant, because Chateau Montelena’s 1973 Chardonnay helped put Napa Valley on the world stage for quality wine overnight when it was awarded first place at the “Judgment of Paris” in 1976.

Today, Grgich Hills Estate is still a family-owned and operated winery (his daughter Violet and nephew Ivo Jeramaz run most of the operations). The estate is committed to sustainable and natural farming methods and as of 2006 all 366 acres are Biodynamically farmed (making it the country’s largest Biodynamic producer). Their production is at 70,000 cases and the entire estate has also recently become 100% solar powered.

Mike talked about his focus on the balance of every aspect of the wine so that no element overshadows the others. The wines are aged in oak and tasted on a regular basis until the oak is nicely integrated and compliments the wine – oak doesn’t dominate his wines. The alcohol in his wines is kept in check with other elements as well.

“You need two ‘W’s for a happy long life – good wine and women.”

Grgich Hills Estate Grown Napa Valley Chardonnay ’06

Youthful and intense nose of spiced pears and green apples with hints of vanila and a slight bready yeastiness. A subtle dusty earthiness. The palate brings big acid, intensity and medium+ body. Very good fruit concentration with granny smith apple characters, a stoney minerality and again some yeastiness. Great length with a fantastic creamy texture that is balanced perfectly with the ripping acidity. Very Good!
At $66.99 in our market, this wine costs some serious coin. I have to say that I prefer this style to so many other Napa Chards at similiar or higher price points dominated by telltale oak and malolactic characters of vanilla and puffed wheat (this wine doesn’t undergo any malolactic fermentation).

Grgich Hills Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ’04

Fruit dominated nose with black and purple fruit….prunes, plums and muted cassis notes, also crushed red table grapes. Some oak evident. Medium+ acidity, tannin and intensity. Palate follows the path of the nose, lots of fruitiness with flavours that evolve in your mouth. Black cherry soda! Purple fruit, blackberry and some raspberry with subtle oak. Good length on finish. The fruit is wonderfully expressive! Very Good. $95.99

Grgich Hills Yountville Selection Cabernet Sauvignon ’99

Developed fruit characters on the nose – black cherry and plum, soft and ripe fruit. Candied purple licorice and sweet spices. Aged Bordeaux-like. Medium+ acid with soft but obvious tannins. Ripe cassis fruit, but still very bright and juicy. Finish is very long with a gorgeous soft texture. Very Good +.
Made from 50 year old vines. This wine is currently unavailable in the BC market.

Grgich Hills Yountville Selection Cabernet Sauvignon ’01

Intense and layered nose. Candied purple licorice, ripe blackberry and cherry. Some “dusty road” component. The palate is dry! Med+ acid and tannins. Lots of concentration! Cassis, ripe red fruit, berry candies, much more structure than the ’99 yet very elegant and complex. The finish is quite long with a great concentration of bright fruit. Extraordinary!
This wine is currently unavailable in the BC market. This was the bottle I’d most happily open up and drink with friends…that is, if I did buy $200+ bottles of wine and share them with my friends.

Grgich Hills Yountville Selection Cabernet Sauvignon ’04

Ripe red fruit on the nose, some rubbery character – oak is evident, more restrained nose than others. Dry! Big tannins. Cassis, berry fruit, candied licorice, dusty characters and rich texture. Good long finish. Very Good.
Much more restrained than previous 3 – most likely because of age. Needs a little bit more time to evolve. $209.99

*I noticed I refer to “candied purple licorice” a fair amount and after thinking about it, I figure I specifically mean “Wild Berry Twizzelators.” If you haven’t before tried them, I’m sure they taste just how you’d guess they would.

The Yountville Selections Cabernet Sauvignon ’01 was the star of the show for me with the ’06 Chardonnay being second. In all honesty this was less about tasting these great wines than it was about meeting meet Mike Grgich. Fantastic experience!