Organic Wine Review » Napa Valley

Grgich Hills Napa Valley Zinfandel 2007

Brent Harrison — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 22:12:54 +0000

Grgich Hills Napa Valley Zinfandel 2007 is made from estate grown biodynamic-certified zinfandel grapes in the heart of Napa Valley, California. Zinfandel from Napa Valley is rarer today than it has been historically, which is a shame based on this wine. This zinfandel is complex on the nose, plenty of dark berries akin to a berry compote. There is a dusty aspect, an iron element and spiciness with pepper. In contrast to many zinfandels that are straightforward and highly quaffable, this zinfandel makes Winston Jones "think before he drinks". Part of the pleasure of a good wine is the expectation it sets on the nose, making the experience in the mouth all the more pleasurable and interesting. This wine delivers a purity of fruit: blackberry, raspberry. It is spicy but not overdone. And, perhaps most surprisingly, it has tannic structure which is rarely expected in many California zinfandels. As such this wine could age even another 2 years and you could expect some softening and additional richness added to it's profile. Winston pleads with Dry Creek fans to come back to Napa and try something different with this wine. "One damn good wine." 90 points.

Grgich Hills Napa Valley Fumé Blanc 2008

Brent Harrison — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 19:06:50 +0000

Grgich Hills Napa Valley Fumé Blanc 2008 is made from organic and Demeter certified biodynamic grapes from the much beloved Napa Valley, California. Grgich Hills' tradition and reputation of excellence shows through. They should be commended for adhering to sustainable and organic practices in the middle of Napa Valley, where there is much commercial pressure on producers to have consistently high quality and high yields year in and year out. Fumé blanc is a term coined by Robert Mondavi in 1968 to help promote Sauvignon Blanc in California. Fumé which is smoke in French, describes the influence of oak imparted to the wine. The wine has a very pleasing nose of lemon, lemongrass, melon reminiscent of sauvignon blanc with a riper more tropical profile than is typical. The wine delivers a bright and lively mouthfeel with a long finish. Could this wine be the missing link between chardonnay and sauvignon blanc? We're not sure but it will do well as a cocktail wine (even for hardcore chardonnay drinkers) and will serve as a splendid complement to lighter dishes such as fish, chicken and pasta. A versatile wonder. 90 points.

Grgich Hills Napa Valley Merlot 2006

Brent Harrison — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 17:32:07 +0000

Richard Grant Wrotham Pinot | Blanc de Noir Reserve 2001

Brent Harrison — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 16:28:56 +0000

Volker Eisele Terzetto 2006

Brent Harrison — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:12:39 +0000

Volker Eisele Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Brent Harrison — Mon, 24 May 2010 15:31:38 +0000

Volker Eisele Gemini 2007

Brent Harrison — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:21:23 +0000

Fairchild Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Brent Harrison — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:05:51 +0000

Adastra “Proximus” Pinot Noir 2006

Brent Harrison — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:16:23 +0000

Frog’s Leap Zinfandel 2006

Brent Harrison — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:51:34 +0000