Grgich Hills Fumé Blanc, Napa - 2023

Miljenko “Mike” Grgich first gained international fame at the “Paris Tasting” of ‘76. Then, in a now-historic blind tasting, a panel of French judges sampled an array of white Burgundy and a small sampling of Napa Chardonnay. When the scores were tallied the judges were shocked: they’d chosen the ‘73 Chateau Montelena, crafted by Mike. Previously, Mike worked for Robert Mondavi, making his first release of “Fume Blanc”, an elegant, dry style of oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc that Mondavi named “Fume Blanc”, playing on the French word for smoke. To this day, Grgich Hills continue to make this style of wine, paying homage to Mike’s former employer and friend. This wine opens with notes of green apple, lemon grass and snap peas. It exhibits a mouth­ watering freshness, great complexity on the mid-palate, and a long, satisfying finish.