Wine Each Week – Grgich Hills Estate 2016 Merlot

Grgich Hills is iconic. It is one of Napa’s stalwarts. Since 1999 it has made Merlot and it has always been a consistently excellent wine. Their 2016 iteration veers a little bit, which is a good thing; after all, we should celebrate vintage variation.

It’s dominated by Merlot with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc blended in, and spent 21 months in oak with just 25% of those barrels being new. Therefore the oak is evident, but its judicious use allows more of the terrific Napa fruit to shine through. It offers black cherry, raspberry, blueberry and lingonberry notes along with a savory components of vanilla, rosewood, parsley, mint and charred cedar. This Merlot does not apologize for its distinctive herbal elements but celebrates a kind of wild garden vibe, earthy and piquant, its success is in being slightly different. Pulling fruit from their estate vineyards in both warmer and cooler regions has clearly paid off. If you’re looking for a Merlot with a unique personality, this is it. 3,740 cases

ORIGIN: Napa Valley

ALCOHOL: 14.6%

PRICE: $43/ 750ML

SCORE: 92 POINTS

Grgich Hills