A historic Napa property, Napa, Groth Vineyards was founded in 1982 by Judy and Dennis Groth. Prior to starting their winery they 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. 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. New winemaker Ted Henry has an impressive resume which includes former stints at jJarvis Estate and Clos du Val.
I was blown away with the new wines, which show excellent quality and value. A downright awesome value is the 2021 Groth Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 92) which is insanely good for the price with its soft mouthfeel and great range. The best wine that I tried was their 2018 Groth ‘Oakville Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which is powerful and intense with black fruits yet shows good 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.
2021 Groth Sauvignon Blanc- A blend of 88% Sauvignon Blanc with 12% Semillon, this spent four months in neutral oak barrels before bottling. Remarkably this is now the 40th vintage of this wine. Freshly cut grass with green apple and lychee notes all mark the nose. With its nutty edge, the Semillon is shining brightly on the palate, as it also adds to the soft and generous texture of the wine. Highly enjoyable to consume now, savor this beautiful new wine over the next five to seven years. Drink 2022-2028- 92
2020 Groth ‘Estate White’ White Wine- The 2020 ‘Estate White’ is manly Sauvignon Blanc with nearly 20% Semillon blended in. Coming from vines that were planted in 1994, the wine was stored in second fill acacia, neutral oak barrels, concrete eggs and stainless steel before bottling. The palate is very seamless and soft with good viscosity and tension. Marcona almond and vanilla cream flavors mingle with bright Japanese pear on the palate. Seriously good now, enjoy over the next seven years. Drink 2022-2029- 92
2020 Groth ‘Hillview Estate Vineyard’ Chardonnay- This wine comes from the Hillview Vineyard which was planted back in 1996. This was aged for eight months sur lie (17% new French oak) before bottling. Golden in the glass, this reveals toasty oak and nutty nuances with baking spices on the nose. The palate is fresh and shows copious minerals with ripe nectarine and pineapple flavors alongside good minerality. Enjoy over the next seven plus years. Drink 2022-2029- 92
2018 Groth ‘Oakville’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 Groth ‘Oakville’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a fantastic effort that blends in 9% Merlot. Stored in 40% new French oak for 18 months, this offers cassis, pencil lead and loamy soil flavors on the palate, with medium-bodied dark fruit flavors. Full of finesse, this really needs another 30 minutes to an hour to get going if enjoying now. Drink 2022-2037- 92
2018 Groth ‘Oakcross Proprietary Blend’ Red Wine- A newer wine to the Groth lineup, the 2018 Groth ‘Oakcross Proprietary Blend’ Red Wine was stored in 70% new French oak for 22 months before bottling. With 20% Merlot blended in, you can get the kirsch notes immediately with on the nose with graphite and red rose petals that meld seamlessly. The palate is soft and plush with light tannins that frame a rich core of red and dark fruits. Enjoy this delicious wine over the next ten years. Drink 2022-2032- 92
2018 Groth ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Really good even at the three year mark, the 2018 ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a glorious bottling that was stored in 100% new French oak for 22 months and also saw 14 months of bottle age before release. This is a magical wine that really needs an hour of air before consuming. Once aroused, this reveals ripe red currant and freshly tilled soils that combine with red rose petals and suggestions of Asian spices on the nose. The palate is plush and soft, with firm tannins holding everything together nicely. Seriously good even now at he three year mark, do your best to resist this beauty for another year or two — your patience will be rewarded. Drink 2024-2045- 95