TBO Wine Pick of the Week #2

 

Now it’s time for my new wine pick of the week!  I didn’t choose a wine from last week since it was Euphoria, and I was busy with the festivities of the weekend.  I have tried many wines over the last couple of weeks that are new to me, but probably the one I have been most surprised by is the Groth Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 vintage.  It has been years since I have tried this wine, since I used to sell it seven years ago when I first started in the business.  I am so glad I pulled a bottle to show in the market because it is drinking beautifully.  Comprised of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot aged for 22 months in 65% new French oak, the Groth 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon drinks like the Napa Cabs of days gone by.  The story of Groth winery is not unlike other wineries established over the years in Napa Valley.  They made some money in another business venture and had become regular wine drinkers along the way, and thought what better way to celebrate their love of wine than to have their own winery.  Once they had the money they were able to realize this dream, and the means that gave them this was Dennis’ involvement with Atari.  Dennis and Judy Groth received the call about a 121-acre Oakville estate in 1981 from grape grower Ren Harris.  Lucky for them they hadn’t made the offer on the Sonoma property they were looking at first, since this was really where they wanted to be--Cabernet Sauvignon country.  The land located in the heart of Oakville was originally planted in the early 1970’s by Napa valley pioneers Justin Meyer and Ray Duncan of Silver Oak fame.  In recent memory I haven’t had a Cabernet Sauvignon of this caliber that wasn’t some over extracted grape juice with throat burning alcohol.  It’s soft and restrained, but very classic in style with black cherry, blackberry, vanilla, and cedar. To me this wine is what Cabernet Sauvignon should taste like.  Groth Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is available for purchase at Northampton Wines and Bouharoun’s Fine Wine and Spirits as well as a few restaurants in downtown Greenville.