One of the great family owned wineries in Napa, Groth Vineyards was founded in 1982. Founders Judy and Dennis Groth found financial success while working for Ernst and Young in the South Bay. Dennis became chief financial officer at Atari and in 1981 they both purchased a large 121 acre parcel of land in Oakville back in 1982. What a buy that was!. These vineyards are on the floor of Napa, right in the prime area for growing beautiful Chardonnay, and Bordeaux varietals. Today, second-generation family member Suzanne Groth leads the business. Winemaker Cameron Parry took over as head winemaker in 2014, after previously serving as winemaker at Chateau Montelena for 10 years.
I was blown away with the new wines, which show excellent quality and value. A downright awesome value is the 2018 Groth Sauvignon Blanc (WWB, 92) which has tremendous freshness and verve but also downright awesome texture. The best wine that I tried was their 2016 Groth ‘Oakville Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 95) which is massive and dense, yet shows amazing elegance and restraint. This ifs one for any serious collector of Napa Cabernet. Learn more about this great historic winery at https://www.grothwines.com Here are the fantastic new bottling by Groth.
2018 Groth Sauvignon Blanc- Consistently one of the great Sauvignon Blanc wines in Napa for the price, the 2018 Groth Sauvignon Blanc is another stellar effort in this warm vintage. Gooseberry and suggestions of Jalepeno pepper with green olive accents fill the nose. The palate has gobs of mouth-watering acidity and wonderfully juicy melon, Granny Smith apple and citrus rind flavors. The wonderful sense of minerality and long finish accentuate this fantastic new wine. Drink 2020-2025- 92
2018 Groth ‘Hillview Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The ‘Hillview Vineyard’ Chardonnay is another impressive effort from this storied Napa estate. Once on the nose you are greeted shades of Pink Lady apple woven together with vanilla cream and lemon zest tones that all mingle in the glass. The palate shows off a seamless texture and voluptuous mouthfeel. Bright acidity lines the core of orchard fruits with lighter melon and starfruit tones. This finishes long with vanilla cream. Fantastic to savor right now, the 2018 ‘Hillview Vineyard’ Chardonnay will cellar well over the next decade, picking up lovely tertiary tones as it ages. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2016 Groth ‘Oakville’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 Groth ‘Oakville’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a seriously good new effort from this estate. On the nose this takes on deep layers of dark fruits that collide with black tea, exotic spices and damp loam tones that all meld in the glass. The soft mouthfeel entices, as the wine takes on a highly elegant edge. Creme de cassis, mocha, anise and Asian spices come together marvelously on the palate. With light tannins and really good length, this beautiful wine has some serious aging potential. Drink 2020-2035- 92
2016 Groth ‘Oakville Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Groth Vineyards & Winery has crafted Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon since 1982. Family owned since their inception, they sustainably farm 121 acres of vineyards. Head winemaker Cameron Parry has been at the Groth helm since 2014. Inky in the glass, the 2016 Groth ‘Oakville Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a simply awesome new wine by Perry. Needing a one hour decant to fully evolve, the wine slowly unveils layers of cassis, Turkish coffee, exotic spices and shades of tar that all take shape in the glass. The palate is plush, showing a seamless quality that runs through the core of the wine. While obviously intense with its massive core of dark fruits, black licorice and tar, the elegance of the wine is astounding. If enjoying in its youth be sure to give this at least a two hour decant. This is a masterpiece by Groth. Drink 2022-2040- 95