One of the outstanding wine projects in Napa, Grassi was the vision of Mark Grassi who built custom homes, wineries and estates in the Napa Valley. In 1999 he and his wife, Jami, acquired 14 acres on a site in Napa that lies on a bench above the valley floor at the bottom of Soda Canyon Road below the Atlas Peak Appellation, as the vineyard has many small to medium sized cobblestones. Mark’s vision became reality with Grassi Wine Company, founded in 2001. Mark nurtured the vineyard to its first commercial release in 2005 and continues to oversee production. Mark and Jamie’s daughter, Cassandra, serves as marketing director while Pete Richmond is farming specialist. Miguel Luna who has worked in the Napa Valley for more than 20 years serves as viticulturist.
Miguel also makes these beautiful wines with the talented Maayan Koschitzky. I adored the range of wines by Grassi. I am enamored with the tense, concentrated and nervy 2018 Grassi ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 96) which is dense and chewy with a gorgeous sense of finesse. Learn more about this outstanding boutique winery at http://grassiwines.com and here are the sensational new wines by Grassi.
2019 Grassi ‘Valentina’s Block’ Sparkling Wine- Made from Ribolla Gialla grapes, the wine was aged for six months in barrels and given zero dosage. Right away this sparkling wine shows nutty and hay tones on the nose alongside shades of Macadamia nut that all meld in the glass. Refined and polished with a soft mousse and silky mouthfeel, this delivers plenty of lemon oil alongside salted almonds and shades of green cantaloupe on the palate. Only 120 cases made. Drink 2021-2031- 93
2019 Grassi ‘Valentina’s Block’ Ribolla Gialla- Sourced from cuttings that came from Friuli, this exudes class with its nutty and early undertones alongside beeswax and shades of honeydew melon on the nose. The palate is very fresh and lively with bright acidity. Silky on the mouth, this delivers a beautiful texture with layers of melon, lemon rind, and stony minerals on the palate. Refined and seriously good now, this will continue to pick up nutty and earthy tones as it ages. Drink 2021-2027- 93
2018 Grassi Sangiovese- This vintage was sourced from Antinori planted vines at the top of Atlas Peak, as this saw only 10% new French oak before bottling. Silky tannins combine with ripe red cherry and teaberry tones alongside garrigue undercurrents. The silky texture and wonderful length impresses as this beautiful wine is singing now at the three year mark. Cellar this beauty for another fifteen years. Drink 2021-2036- 94
2018 Grassi ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 Grassi ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from 25 year old vines from Soda Canyon. Aromatically intense, this shows off violets that collide with blueberry compote, tar, and coffee ground tones. The palate is very fresh and vibrant with salty undertones and a beautiful mouthfeel. Ripe dark currant flavors combine with smoky minerals, tobacco leaf, espresso bean and loamy soils on the palate. Dense and rich, with really nice restraint and finesse, this beautiful wine will continue to evolve well for another twenty years. Drink 2021-2041- 96