98 points, The Wine Palate: "Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Paradise Block is still very tightly wound, slowly emerging with very pure scents of crushed blackcurrants, fresh blackberries, and wild blueberries, followed by hints of iron ore, mint tea, fertile loam, and cardamom. The full-bodied palate is tautly stacked with black and blue fruit flavors, with firm, grainy tannins and fabulous tension, finishing long and ferrous." -Lisa Perrotti-Brown
In essence, Paradise Block represents both a single-vineyard and single-vine selection from our oldest and most exceptional Cabernet vines in Yountville.
Paradise Block is the epitome of elegance opening with aromas of ripe cassis, orange peel, hints of blueberry, raspberry, and red pepper followed by undertones of dried herbs, citrus rind and sandalwood. On the palate, the wine displays a dense but silky tannin structure leading to complex flavors of juicy red cassis, blackberries and fresh figs supported by hints of cocoa, sel de mer and bay leaves. The finish is exceedingly long and memorable.
Vintage
About The Vintage
The growing season was free from severe weather issues, and despite the drought, our yield increased five percent from 2020. We had no significant rainfall past February, so mild spring and summer conditions provided an ideal environment for grapes to flower, bloom, and set in early spring. Notably cooler temperatures in August and September allowed us to pick each block at its ideal point of ripeness, leading to outstanding quality and great concentration in the fruit.
Vineyard
About The Vineyard
The Paradise Block is a meticulous selection from our Yountville Blocks 6 and 7—historically, part of our old-vine Cabernet blend. Over the years, we’ve found that these blocks consistently produce low yields but deliver exceptional quality, with outstanding tannin structure and expressive fruit character.
To craft our Paradise Block blend, we carefully identify and mark the individual vines within these blocks that consistently yield the finest fruit. This selection is informed by over four decades of experience working with these vines since their planting in 1959, allowing us to pinpoint those that reliably produce the highest quality. Each year, these select vines are harvested separately, ensuring the utmost precision and excellence.
In essence, Paradise Block represents both a single-vineyard and single-vine selection from our oldest and most exceptional Cabernet vines in Yountville.
Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.5% by volume
Fermentation indigenous yeast; 4 weeks of skin contact
Upon founding Grgich Hills, it was of utmost importance that both Mike Grgich and Austin Hills were equally represented on the winery’s label. Mike chose to represent his Croatian heritage by including the Croatian Coat of Arms, a red and white checkered shield, which also appears on Croatia’s national flag. The winery’s Croatian roots are celebrated with an annual festival, Croatian wines and menu items, and ties to Grgich Hill’s sister winery, Grgic Vina, located on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast.
Hills Family Crest
Upon founding Grgich Hills, it was of utmost importance that both Mike Grgich and Austin Hills were equally represented on the winery’s label. Austin Hills chose to represent the Hills family with an element of the family crest, a rearing horse holding a baton. For generations, the Hills family were known in San Francisco for their thriving coffee business, Hills Brothers Coffee Co., and the Hills horse appearing on the winery’s label marked a new venture in the Hills legacy.
