Grgich Hills Napa Valley Merlot 2019
Grgich Hills Napa Valley Merlot 2019 is the winery's self-described "Cab lover's Merlot" — an estate blend of 89% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, drawn from cooler American Canyon and Carneros sites plus the warmer Yountville vineyard, and aged 20 months in French oak (37% new). Bottled at 14.5% ABV from certified-organic estate fruit, it's structured, velvety and built for the table. It's available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 14.5%
- Size: 750mL
- Vintage: 2019 — harvested October 8–23, 2019; bottled July 2021, released November 2022
- Blend: 89% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
- Appellation: Napa Valley Estate — American Canyon, Carneros, Yountville vineyards
- Farming: estate grown, certified organic, regenerative agriculture; indigenous-yeast fermentation
- Aging: 20 months in French oak barrels, 37% new
The Cab Lover's Merlot
Grgich Hills has never made Merlot as an afterthought — the 2019 threads three vineyards together so the warm-climate Yountville fruit brings richness and depth while the cooler Carneros and American Canyon sites supply perfume and bright fruit. Two weeks of skin contact in stainless steel, indigenous yeast, and 20 months in mostly neutral French oak build what James Suckling (89 pts) called medium-bodied with chewy tannins, earthy character and a note of black licorice. The estate's regenerative-organic farming — the family's calling card since 1977 — keeps the fruit pure. Browse Grgich Hills Estate, explore the store's Merlot selection, or see more red wines.
Tasting Notes
Opens with earthy notes of coffee bean, plum and black pepper, plus dark cherry, raspberry and sweet ripe tomato with floral undertones of lilies and violets and a hint of fallen leaves. Flavors of juicy black currant and black cherry explode on the palate; dense, elegant tannins softened by fresh red-fruit acidity and hints of basil, with well-integrated oak leaving a trace of baking spice. Lush, lingering finish.
How to Enjoy
Decant for 30–60 minutes to let the aromatics unfold. Pair with grilled flank steak, lamb burgers, veal chops, roast beef or roasted pork — the tannin structure loves protein. The silky tannins and acidity give it room to age for many years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grgich Hills Merlot 100% Merlot?
No — the 2019 is 89% Merlot with 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc.
Is Grgich Hills wine organic?
Yes — all five estate vineyards are farmed naturally without artificial fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides, and are certified organic.
What vintage is this Merlot?
2019, harvested October 8–23, 2019, aged 20 months in French oak and bottled in July 2021.
A Napa Merlot with genuine structure and staying power — the 2019 is ready to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.