Wine – Masaharu Morimoto

Grgich Hills Estate, Napa Valley

MORIMOTO CABERNET SAUVIGNON & CHARDONNAY

2017 CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Estate Grown • Napa Valley

Vintage: We had high rain fall at the beginning of the season, a mild winter, and then we finally transitioned into a beautiful spring. There was an early bud break and flowering, followed by sunny days and high temperatures through June and August.

Vineyard: Our Yountville vineyard forms the heart of our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, with grapes from our Rutherford vineyard rounding out the blend. We farm all of our vineyards naturally, without artificial pesticides or herbicides, and they are certified organic. The result is a full-bodied, elegant Cabernet Sauvignon with pure flavors and a pronounced sense of place.

The Wine: On the nose, this exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon displays enticing aromas of raspberry and blackberry, fresh pine, peat, and moss with undertones of rose blossoms. On the palate, luscious dark fruit flavors are supported by orange and spicy undertones. Fresh tannins offer a supple mouth-feel on the mid-palate, leading into a long, satisfying savory finish.

Winemaker’s Notes
Alcohol………….14.7% by volume
Fermentation … indigenous yeast; 4 weeks of skin contact
Harvest date …. Sept. 26 – Nov. 13, 2017
Sugar ……………. 24.5 ̊ Brix (average)
Bottling date…. August 2019
Release date…..June 1, 2021
Total acid ……… 5.7 g/L
pH ………………..3.80
Time in oak…… 20 months in French oak
Type of oak …… 100% French oak
Blend ……………. 83% Cabernet, 17% Petit Verdot

2020 CHARDONNAY

Estate Grown • Napa Valley

Morimoto’s Dream: A wine named Dream — why? The year that I turned sixty I thought, “What dreams should I chase now?” This is the perfect wine to accompany such thoughts and its creation for me is a dream come true. Thank you to Miljenko “Mike” and to his daughter, Violet Grgich. –Masaharu Morimoto

Vintage: 2020 was a challenging but ultimately one of the most rewarding vintages for us. One of the hottest vintages on record with multiple heat waves well over 100 degrees, vintage 2020 was also accompanied by exceptionally low rainfall: 50-60% below average. Despite the heat and drought, our vines were well prepared for the stress. Due to low rainfall in 2020, the vines prepared themselves for drought by producing less leaves, which requires less water. The heat and drought produced exceptionally low yields but with excellent quality – great acid and freshness in white wines.

Vineyard: Our Chardonnay thrives in our American Canyon and Carneros vineyards in the southern tip of Napa Valley, near San Pablo Bay which spills into the San Francisco Bay. The cool maritime breezes and morning fog allow the grapes to slowly ripen to develop complex flavors while maintaining a bright, natural acidity. We farm all of our certified organic vineyards naturally, using the principles of regenerative agriculture.

The Wine: Miljenko “Mike” Grgich has been called The King of Chardonnay since the winery began in 1977, and you can taste why in this classically-styled wine. We did not allow the Chardonnay to undergo malolactic fermentation, preserving its natural acidity.

The Grgich Hills Estate 2020 Chardonnay, Morimoto Dream, has an elegant nose of lemon zest and peach with hints of cinnamon, vanilla, and orange blossom. Its succulent flavors boast bright citrus notes with tropical undertones of pineapple and passion fruit, revealing soft minerality and hints of white pepper on the long, intense finish.

Winemaker’s Notes
Alcohol………….. 13.5% by volume
Fermentation ….indigenous yeast; 2-3 weeks in barrel
Harvest date ….. Aug. 25- Sept. 9, 2020
Sugar …………….. 22.1 ̊ Brix (average)
Bottling date ….. March 1, 2022
Release date…… September 1, 2022
Total acid ……… 6.4 g/L
pH ………………… 3.30
Time in oak…….Fermented and aged 12 months in neutral barrels
Type of oak ……. 100% French oak
Blend …………….. 100% Chardonnay
Production ……..329 cases (12/750 ml.)