Sterling Vineyards Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon · California
$25.99
Grgich Hills Estate Merlot
Grgich Hills Estate · California · United States
93 pts · JamesSuckling.comorganic
$38.99
1
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Why it’s a great value
It carries a verified 93-point score from JamesSuckling.com.
Taste profile
SweetnessDry → Sweet
BodyLight → Full
Acidity*Soft → Bright
Tannin*Silky → Grippy
Oak*None → Bold
Fruit*Subtle → Intense
* WineDiscounts editorial estimate based on verified tasting notes.
What it tastes like
Blackberry, black cherry and cassis wrapped in soft Napa Merlot texture, with violet lift, sandalwood, forest floor and a lightly vanilla-toned finish.
You’ll like this if…
Choose this if you like Merlot with more structure than plush sweetness, or Napa Cabernet blends that feel polished rather than heavy.
Why buy it
It delivers classic Napa Valley depth from a historic estate, with organic estate-grown farming and enough tannin to stand up to a serious dinner.
Best for
Roasts, steak, mushroom dishes and gifting to someone who enjoys recognizable Napa producers.
Style
Dry, medium-full to full-bodied Napa Merlot with dark fruit, savory tannins, moderate French oak and a long finish.
Drinks like
Right-bank Bordeaux-inspired Napa blends, Duckhorn-style Napa Merlot, and softer Napa Cabernet Sauvignon blends.
Experience level
Easy for a casual red-wine drinker to enjoy, but with enough vineyard and winemaking detail for an enthusiast.
Flavor notes
Pairs well with
Best occasions
Serving & enjoying
- Serving temperature:
- 60-65°F
- Decanting:
- 20-30 minutes, especially when newly opened
- Glassware:
- Bordeaux or large red-wine glass
- Drink or cellar:
- Enjoy now or cellar short-to-medium term; exact window depends on the vintage in hand
- After opening:
- Best within 2-3 days if recorked and kept cool
Guidance partly estimated by WineDiscounts from the wine’s style.
About this wine
A polished Napa Valley Merlot from Grgich Hills Estate, showing blackberry, boysenberry, cranberry and black cherry with violet, sandalwood and forest-floor notes. The palate is soft and dense, with lush savory tannins, subtle acidity and a long flavorful finish.
Wine details
- Type
- red
- Varietal
- Merlot-based blend
- Grapes
- 81% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
- Producer
- Grgich Hills Estate
- Country
- United States
- Region
- California
- Appellation
- Napa Valley
- Bottle size
- 750 Ml
- ABV
- 14.3%
Details last verified September 24, 2026
Explore
Winemaking details ›
- Vineyard source:
- Estate Merlot from cooler American Canyon and Carneros vineyards plus warmer Yountville vineyard sources.
- Vessel:
- Indigenous yeast fermentation; 2 weeks skin contact in stainless steel.
About the winery · Grgich Hills Estate ›
Grgich Hills Estate is a Rutherford-based Napa Valley winery founded after Mike Grgich's 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay won the white-wine portion of the 1976 Paris Tasting. Mike Grgich and Austin Hills broke ground for their winery on July 4, 1977. The estate later assembled five Napa Valley vineyard properties and changed its name to Grgich Hills Estate in recognition of 100% estate-grown production. The winery farms organically and emphasizes regenerative organic farming across its estate vineyards.
Sustainability
Certified organic estate vineyards · California Certified Organic by CCOF ↗Napa Green · Local sustainable certification ↗Regenerative Organic Certified, Silver Level · Regenerative Organic Alliance certification for the estate; winery states wines from 2023 vintage forward carry this certification ↗
Critic reviews
93/100JamesSuckling.com
“This offers notes of ripe plums and blackberries with dark chocolate, sweet...”
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Grgich Hills Estate Merlot dry or sweet?
- Grgich Hills Estate Merlot is bone dry — its sweetness rating is 1 on our 1 (bone dry) to 5 (sweet) scale. It is medium-to-full bodied.
- What does Grgich Hills Estate Merlot taste like?
- Blackberry, black cherry and cassis wrapped in soft Napa Merlot texture, with violet lift, sandalwood, forest floor and a lightly vanilla-toned finish.
- What food pairs with Grgich Hills Estate Merlot?
- It pairs well with Herb-roasted prime rib or grilled ribeye, Pork tenderloin with cherry or cranberry glaze, Roast duck with plum sauce, Wild mushroom risotto and Aged Gouda or clothbound cheddar.
- How should I serve Grgich Hills Estate Merlot?
- Serve at 60-65°F. 20-30 minutes, especially when newly opened. Glass: Bordeaux or large red-wine glass.
- Is Grgich Hills Estate Merlot a good value?
- At $38.99 it carries a verified 93-point score from JamesSuckling.com; the review is shown on this page.
- What is the bottle size and alcohol content of Grgich Hills Estate Merlot?
- 750 ml bottle, 14.3% alcohol by volume.