Full Review

Grgich Hills

Grgich Hills
2017 Estate Grown, Merlot, Napa Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.8%
Organically Grown Grapes
88 Points
Silver Medal
Highly Recommended
$43
Cellar Selection

Grgich Hills
2017 Estate Grown, Merlot, Napa Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.8%
Black garnet color. Aromas of mulberry, raspberry leaf, mixed peppercorns, black toast, and hints of lime marmalade with a tannic, lively, dry medium-to-full body and a peppery, medium-long black peppercorn and citrus spritz finish with grippy tannins and light oak flavor. A tightly wound Napa Merlot that needs cellar time to reveal its best self.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Rich & Full & Spicy & Complex
Aroma Aroma: mulberry, raspberry leaf, mixed peppercorns, black toast, and hints of lime marmalade
Taste Flavor: black peppercorn and citrus spritz
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry
Enjoy Enjoy: In 3-6 years on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Baked Ham, Meat Loaf, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A tightly wound Napa Merlot that needs cellar time to reveal its best self.

The Producer

Grgich Hills Estate

The Producer
P.O Box 450
Rutherford, CA 94573
USA
1 707-963-2784

Their Portfolio

87 Grgich Hills 2017 Chardonnay, Napa Valley 14.1% (USA) $43.00.
91 Grgich Hills 2018 Violetta, Napa Valley 14.1% (USA) $85.00.
91 Grgich Hills 2016 Estate Grown, Zinfandel, Napa Valley 14.2% (USA) $36.00.
94 Grgich Hills 2016 Miljenko’s Selection, Petite Sirah, Napa Valley 14.5% (USA) $65.00.
89 Grgich Hills 2017 Estate Grown, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 14.4% (USA) $72.00.
88 Grgich Hills 2017 Estate Grown, Merlot, Napa Valley 14.8% (USA) $43.00.
93 Grgich Hills 2018 Estate Grown, Chardonnay, Napa Valley 14.1% (USA) $43.00.
BR Grgich Hills 2018 Estate Grown Fumé Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 13.5% (USA) $31.00. - Bronze Medal
90 Grgich Hills 2020 Estate Grown Rosé, Napa Valley 13.1% (USA) $25.00.
94 Grgich Hills 2018 Estate Grown, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 14.2% (USA) $72.00.
90 Grgich Hills 2018 Estate Grown, Merlot, Napa Valley 14.4% (USA) $43.00.
88 Grgich Hills 2019 Estate Grown, Chardonnay, Napa Valley 14.1% (USA) $44.00.
BR Grgich Hills 2019 Estate Grown Fume Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 13.5% (USA) $31.00. - Bronze Medal
89 Grgich Hills 2020 Miljenko’s Selection, Gewurztraminer, Napa Valley 13.8% (USA) $28.00.
94 Grgich Hills 2017 Estate Grown, Zinfandel, Napa Valley 14.7% (USA) $37.00.
87 Grgich Hills 2021 Estate Grown Rose, Napa Valley 13.1% (USA) $28.00.
89 Grgich Hills 2020 Miljenko’s Selection, Riesling, Napa Valley 13.5% (USA) $30.00.
91 Grgich Hills 2021 Mijenko’s Selection, Riesling, Napa Valley 12.8% (USA) $30.00.
89 Grgich Hills 2022 Estate Grown Rosé, Napa Valley 13.3% (USA) $28.00.

Merlot

Wine Glass Cabernet.jpg
Serve in a Cabernet Wine Glass
Merlot is a red variety that is loved by consumers, yet often shunned by certain wine gurus and critics, as they perceive these wines as “little sisters” to the more powerful Cabernet Sauvignon. Yet on its own, the best examples of Merlot are multi-layered, complex wines that are among the finest in the world.

Merlot has many similar flavors to Cabernet Sauvignon, especially with its cherry and plum fruit, but is has fewer, less sharp tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon. Many producers whether in Bordeaux, America, Chile or elsewhere, often blend small percentages of Merlot into Cabernet Sauvignon to lessen the tannic bitterness of the latter.

A few districts in France’s Bordeaux region, namely Pomerol, are home to the greatest examples of Merlot. Chateau Petrus is the world’s most famous example of Merlot, a powerful wine that ages beautifully for 30 or 40 years in the best vintages. There are also celebrated examples from American, especially in Washington’s Walla Walla valley as well as in Napa Valley in California. Merlot is also very successful in Chile, New Zealand and even in certain part of Italy.

Merlot pairs best with foods such as lamb or veal, but it also sought out by consumers to accompany steaks and roast when they want a rounder, more elegant red wine.