We Should All Have Chardonnay This Good

Grgich Hills Estate began in 1977, founded by Miljenko Grgich and Austin Hills. Miljenko may be tough to pronounce, so you can call him Mike. He crafted the famous 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay that beat France in the 1976 Paris Tasting, so he knows a bit about what he's doing.

The 2022 Grgich Hills Estate Grown Napa Valley Chardonnay carries alcohol at 14.1% abv and retails for $53. 2022 is the first vintage of this wine to be Regenerative Organic Certified. That's an organic system that seeks not only to minimize damage to the earth, but to regenerate the soil from which much of our food comes.

This wine has a yellow-gold tint to it. The nose brings some of that buttery popcorn aroma, which is joined by Meyer lemon, tangerine, lime, vanilla, and apricot. The flavors are delicious. Citrus, vanilla, pear, and a wealth of minerality make for a delightful drinking experience. The palate also features a tangy, food-friendly acidity. This is an elegant wine. Don't waste it on a ham sandwich. Make something nice for yourself.

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