One of the great family wineries in Napa, Groth Vineyards was founded in 1982 by Judy and Dennis Groth. Before founding 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. It is a gorgeous spot to taste wine.
Today, second-generation family member Suzanne Groth leads the business. Winemaker Ted Henry has an impressive resume which includes former stints at jJarvis Estate and Clos du Val. He is making some really beautiful wines. I was so impressed with the 2020 wines and the wines made in 2022 are delicious. I loved the 2024 Groth ‘Estate’ Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 93) which has great texture and poise, as well as flavor range. I love the 2022 Groth ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which is a remarkable wine made in a tough vintage. Learn more about this great historic winery at https://www.grothwines.com Here are the fantastic new bottling by Groth.
2024 Groth ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc- Soft, round and delicious, the 2024 Groth ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc offers kiwi and white grapefruit flavors that parade with green melon and nutty accents on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, with good viscosity, enjoy now and over the next six to eight years. Drink 2025-2031- 92
2024 Groth ‘Estate’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2023 ‘Estate’ Sauvignon Blanc is an outstanding wine now in its second edition. It has a touch of Semillon blended in, as this was stored in neutral French oak before bottling. It has deep melon fruits that parade with shades of passion fruit, white peach, salted Macadamia nut and copious minerals on the palate. This is complex stuff, as the Semillon really adds to the equation here. Drink 2025-2033- 93
2023 Groth ‘Estate’ Chardonnay- This is now known as the Groth ‘Estate’ Chardonnay as for years it was called the ‘Hillview Vineyard’ — although it does come from this location in the Napa Valley. This 2023 edition opens with pie crust and custard notes alongside ripe pineapple and Japanese pear. The palate is lush and viscous with terrific viscosity and tension. A joy to drink right now, this will easily go for another eight years. Drink 2025-2033- 93
2022 Groth ‘Oakcross’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Oakcross’ is named after Groth’s Oakville Estate which was first planted back in 1973. This is a lush and rich wine to consume now. Dense black cherry and black raspberry notes combine with milk chocolate, sage and loamy soils on the palate. This is really nicely done considering the challenges at harvest. Drink 2025-2032- 92
2022 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon is another wine in this collection that defies the challenges of the vintage. It comes off well-structured, dense and delicious and is already beautifully evolved. Mocha, tar and anise combine with heady dark fruits on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2033- 92
2022 Groth ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Reserve’ is a remarkable new bottling by winemaker Ted Henry. Once on the nose this takes on heady black and blue fruits that combine with loamy soils and caused wet rock notes. The palate is fat, rich and deep with great poise and concentration. A remarkable achievement in this hot vintage, savor this beauty now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 95