"The 2023 Paris '76 prances out of the glass with showy notes of fresh white peaches, crunchy pears, and marzipan, followed by hints of struck flint, orange blossoms, and crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate is so elegant and beautifully poised, yet with intense zesty and savory layers, framed by a crisp backbone and satiny texture, finishing very long and energetic. Absolutely stunning! This comes from Grgich Hills' Carneros vineyard, planted to budwood from Larry Hyde (Wente Clone Selection)." -Lisa Perrotti-Brown
A layered medley of peach, Golden Delicious apple, vanilla, and cardamom draws you in as the wine opens in the glass. The clean, vivid front palate gives way to fresh lemon, ginger, white peach, and a hint of anise. Bright acidity and a subtle saline note support a dense, spice-lined mid-palate with a touch of nutmeg.
The finish is long and fresh, lingering with clarity and precision—an elegant nod to the wine’s historic legacy, the famed Paris Tasting of 1976.
Vintage
About The Vintage
Relief of heavy rains came after three consecutive drought years that brought precipitation up to 50% above Napa Valley averages. An unusually cool spring delayed budbreak, followed by a moderately warm summer with no dramatic heat spikes. Harvest began in earnest by mid-September and carried on through the first of November, making this one of the longest growing seasons in the Grgich Hills Estate record.
Vineyard
About The Vineyard
Crafted each year as an homage to the wine that won the 1976 Judgment of Paris, we select only the best grapes, which are primarily from our oldest block of Chardonnay, the Old Wente clone planted in 1989. Through a combination of clone, age and cool climate, this single block in our estate vineyard in the chilly Carneros region of Napa Valley creates wonderfully rich flavors, balanced with crisp acidity.
Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13% by volume
Fermentation indigenous yeast
Harvest date Sept. 30 - Oct. 17, 2023
Sugar 21.3 ̊ Brix
Bottling date December 2024
Release date May 24, 2026
Total acid 6.3 g/L
PH 3.27
Time in oak 12 months
Type of oak French oak; 40% new oak, 53% barrel, 47% foudres
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.
