Four-Star Gold Medal - 2011 Orange County Wine Competition
Monterrey County, south of San Francisco is home to a huge number of vineyards, with a correspondingly huge variation in the character and quality of the grapes produced. A lot of Chardonnay is planted there, and while it is typically of decent quality, the majority ends up in larger blends, typically labeled "Central Coast." However, in the smaller sub-appellations that are dotted throughout Monterrey, some of California’s finest Chardonnay is grown by small, family-run wineries and because these AVAs tend to be less well known, they often represent great values for the quality on offer. One such AVA is Arroyo Seco, a small valley just south of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Here Chardonnay is planted in the rocky soils of an ancient creek bed. For some reason this type of soil just seems perfect for Chardonnay in California, and the Griva vineyard is no exception. Combined with the deft winemaking of Mercy Vineyards, the result is truly special.
Vineyard Notes
Found in the heart of the Arroyo Seco growing region, the Griva Vineyard is located in the midst of a dried riverbed. It is a place where sandy, well-drained surface soil meets hard pan subsoil just below the surface. Add to those low yielding conditions, the large river rocks that litter the surface as well as howling wind and foggy mornings and you have an ideal location for the cultivation of distinct Chardonnay grapes. Meticulously farmed by owner Michael Griva the vineyard is home to many different varietals, including the Robert Young clone of Chardonnay.
Winemaking Notes
Hand-harvested on the morning of October 20, 2009. At the winery, the fruit was whole-cluster pressed, and inoculated following two days of cold stabilization. Racked to French oak barrels (55% new), the wine was fermented and aged for ten months on its lees. which were stirred weekly. The wine finished malolactic fermentation and was bottled on August 6, 2010.
Tasting Notes
The 2009 Mercy Griva Vineyard Chardonnay is straw in color with a slight green tint. The nose is loaded with tropical fruit, green apple, and lemon. The palate is soft and lush, with apple and lemon joined by baking spice, vanilla, and a chalk-like mineral component. With 55% new French Oak, lees stirring, and full malolactic fermentation this is full-steam-ahead California Chardonnay for those who like it rich and powerful, yet the unique soils of Arroyo Seco contribute a minerality that keeps things lively. Perfect for lobster, cream sauces, or roasted chicken.
Vineyards: Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco
Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Clones: Robert Young clone
Harvest: October 20, 2009
Aging: 100% Barrel Fermented, 100% Malolactic, French Oak, 55% New
Bottled: August 6, 2010
Acidity: 0.63
pH: 3.68
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 160 cases
All Wines
92 Points
Aromas of black cherry jam, boysenberry, raspberry, interlace with hints of baking spice, espresso bean, and toasted nut. On the palate ripe and juicy flavors of dark cherry, huckleberry and raspberry are perfectly integrated with notes of spice, dark chocolate, and a kiss of American oak.
95 Points
Opens with wild cherry cordial and fresh pomegranate layered with notes of baking spice and zest. Subtle touches of pink peppercorn lemon balm and sarsparilla carry through a savory palate. It's balanced, with silky layers and a juicy red core.
92 Points
A powerful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. On the nose, it's enticing and fragrant, bursting with fresh blueberries, blackberry tart, cedar, black olives, and hints of spicebox. Its palate provides big, round chewy tannins, sweet ripe black cherries, blackberry cordial, Bourbon-soaked maraschino cherries, maple roasted walnuts, and a touch of vanilla.
95 Points
Lofty aromas of ripe dark fruits, wild berries, roasted fig, English Toffee, savory spices, and roasted walnuts. On the palate, the deep flavors of dark cherry, ripe plum, black raspberry and pomegranate are layered with notes of wild sage, clove, nutmeg, and bittersweet chocolate. Robust and mouth-filling, with spicy nuances, smooth tannins, firm structure, and a long lingering finish.
94 Points
Dark fruit with blueberry fruit aromas and notes of mocha and cassis. The texture is silky, rich and mouth-filling with berry pie, black tea, exotic spice and notes of chocolate fudge on the palate. Fine grain tannins lengthen the finish with dark fruit flavors mingling with just a hint of mint.
98 Points, Best of Class
Super-Tuscan style blend offering aromas of ripe berries and black fruits, interwoven with hints of vanilla, caramel, raw tobacco, leather, clove, blood orange peel, and roasted walnuts. Rich and generous flavors of briary blackberry, dark cherry, ripe plum and cassis.
95 Points, Double Gold
Deep ruby in color this wine is bountiful, juicy and structured. Blueberry, black cherry and wild blackberry, framed by notes of sweet licorice, violets, sage and bay leaf. Impeccably balanced with fine dusty tannins hint at a long life ahead in the cellar.
90 Points
Inviting aromas of cherry, raspberry, and blackberry intermixed with hints of cranberry and blood orange. Graceful and soft on the front palate, the flavors of mixed red berries and the lively tannins add luscious texture. Its long finish reveals spicy undertones and a superb freshness.
93 Points
Lovely aromas of crushed blueberry, red and blue plum, dried violet flower. It's juicy and engaging, with smoked red raspberry, wild blackberry, hoisin, sweet backing spices coursing through, and offers balance and depth with perfect levels of acidity with silky tannins leading to a long engaging finish.
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