Expert Reviews - Prior Vintages 2022, 2020
The Tasting Panel 93 Points | Creamy, with a focused woodsy character. Pear tart, chamomile, and honeyed banana lend depth and texture within a balanced, luxurious mouthfeel. Spiced pumpkin appears on the finish with a pinch of salinity. (VIntage 2022).
James Suckling 92 Points | This is aromatic with ripe peaches, pineapple, honeysuckle, praline and crushed stones. Full-bodied, dense and round-textured with a tangy, spiced nature. Shows tension and energy with mineral undertones at the end. Drink or hold. (Vintage 2022).
The Wine Spectator 91 Points | Bright and lemony, with plenty of aromatic interest from the lemon verbena, lemongrass and vetiver accents, all on a sleek frame. Details of lemon cream, Fuji apple, lime zest and salted shortbread come in on the finish. Drink now. 19,000 cases made. (Vintage 2022).
James Suckling 92 Points | This Chardonnay entices you with aromas of fresh peach, Asian pear, citrus, and honeycomb. The flavors are just as complex with delightful undertones of red pepper and Madagascar vanilla, followed by fresh lemon, green apple, wildflower honey, stone fruit, and a hint of lavender. The rich, dense texture is balanced by its juicy acidity, leading to great minerality and a long, satisfying finish. (Vintage 2022).
92 Points Wine & Spirits | This Chardonnay entices you with aromas of fresh peach, Asian pear, citrus, and honeycomb. The flavors are just as complex with delightful undertones of red pepper and Madagascar vanilla, followed by fresh lemon, green apple, wildflower honey, stone fruit, and a hint of lavender. The rich, dense texture is balanced by its juicy acidity, leading to great minerality and a long, satisfying finish. (Vintage 2022)
(Vintage 2020) Ronan Sayburn MS, Eugenio Egorov, Ben Gubbins write: Mike Grgich, who turned 100 in April 2023, emigrated from Croatia to California in 1958 and worked his way up as a winemaker until, in 1973, he produced the Chateau Montelena Chardonnay that triumphed in the 1976 Judgement of Paris tasting. His own winery, then Grgich Hills Cellar, was founded as a partnership in 1977. Grown near San Pablo Bay, the estate Chardonnay is fermented and aged in barrels and foudres, 40% of which are new French oak. Ronan Sayburn MS: Gunflint reductive nose with green cardamom, cucumber skin, oyster shell and seaweed. Smoky subtle oak. Lean, tight and mineral. Eugenio Egorov: Hints of citrus and caramel with a touch of vanilla on the nose. Creamy and vibrant with beautiful citrus and balanced acidity. Ben Gubbins: Struck match, toast and lime aromas. The palate is firm and citrussy, holding tight through a citrus and pineapple finish. Drinking 2023 - 2030 - Decanter 95
(Vintage 2020) James Suckling writes: Aromas of dried orange peel, lemon grass and hay. Medium-bodied with lovely complexity. Herbs and dried citrus meld together, with a hint of white tea adding intrigue. Well composed. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. - James Suckling 93
