Grgich Hills
2016 Merlot
, Napa Valley
Estate Grown

90 Points - Wine Enthusiast
DOUBLE GOLD - TheFiftyBest.com - Best California Merlot - 2020
EXCEPTIONAL - Restaurant Wine - Issues #187, #188, & #189

This robust Merlot will delight Cabernet Sauvignon lovers!  The nose offers layers of blueberry, raspberry and cherry.  The palate is elegantly structured with mouth-watering tannins and sprightly, well-balanced acidity.  The fruit-forward berries up front reemerge on the palate with savory undertones of basil and rosemary.

This harmonious wine displays a lasting and memorable finish. Pair it with grilled flank steak, lamb burgers or veal chops. Highly recommended!

Vintage: The string of near perfect vintages continued for the fifth year in 2016, with an early bud break and flowering followed by sunny days and relatively mild temperatures throughout the growing season. They were able to have almost all their grapes safely in the cellar before the valley's first significant fall rainstorm arrived on October fourteenth.

Vineyard: Their Merlot is grown both in cooler American Canyon and Carneros vineyards and in their warmer Yountville vineyard. They blended Merlot from all three vineyards to create a balanced, robust wine that combines the richness and depth from the warmer climates and perfume and bright fruitiness from the cooler climates. Committed to natural winegrowing and sustainability, farmed from five estate vineyards without artificial fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides and certified organic.

Alcohol: 14.6% by volume
Varietal:  92% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc
Appellation: Napa Valley Estate
Harvest date:  Sept. 22 - 27, 2016
Sugar:  24.7 Brix (average)
Fermentation:  Indigenous yeast
Skin Contact: 2 weeks in stainless steel
Total acid:  6.2 g/L
pH:  3.55
Aging:  21 months
Type of oak:  French oak barrels;  25% new, 75% neutral
Bottling date:  August 2018
Release date:  November 2019

Tasting Notes  PDF

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