I was very impressed by these alluring, vibrant and delicious wines!

I recently had a chance to taste through a quartet of trade sample wines from Gratus (pronounced grah-tuhs) Vineyards.  Gratus Vineyards is a, new-to-me, Napa Valley winery located in Pope Valley.  My detailed tasting notes are below,  but I was very impressed by these alluring, vibrant and delicious wines!

My tasting notes follow:

2017 Gratus White Blend– USA, California, Napa Valley

Color – Pale yellow
Aromas – Pear, honeysuckle, lemon cream, pineapple and a hint of guava
Body – Medium-full bodied with vibrant acidity and a very appealing supple mouth feel
Taste – Pear, lemon curd, honey, pineapple, guava, and clove flavors nicely accented with an appealing saline minerality
Finish – Long

Blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, 15% Viognier, 15% Marsanne, 15% Roussanne, and 5% Picpoul Blanc, aged seven months in old oak | 200 cases| SRP – $29 (90 pts.)

2015 Gratus Red Blend – USA, California, Napa Valley
Color – Inky black red
Aromas – Black cherry, plum, red currant, licorice, mocha, vanilla and cedar wood
Body – Medium-bodied with a very pleasing supple texture, velvety sweet tannins and good acidity
Taste – Black cherry, plum, cassis, vanilla, red licorice,dark chocolate and subtle spice flavor
Finish – Medium

14.8% abv |Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petite Sirah | 190 cases| SRP – $75(90 pts.)

2015 Gratus Petite Sirah – USA, California, Napa Valley
Color – Inky purple
Aromas – Aromatic black and blue fruit, sandalwood, and baking spice
Body – Full bodied and rich with bright moderating acidity and a very appealing supple texture with velvety tannins
Taste – Ripe black cherry, blackberry, blueberries, vanilla,dark chocolate, sweet spice and a hint of graphite
Finish – Long

100% Petite Sirah| 14.8% abv | 25 cases| SRP – $45 (92 pts.)

2015 Gratus Malbec – USA, California, Napa Valley
Color – Opaque magenta
Aromas – Fresh blueberry, Kirsch, graham crackers, marzipan and a touch of mint
Body – Medium-bodied with ample fruit and moderating acidity with supple well-integrated tannins
Taste – Mixed black and blueberry cobbler, black cherry, red currant, vanilla and a hint of orange peel
Finish Medium-long

14.8% abv| 50 cases|SRP – $55 (91 pts.)

About Gratus Vineyards

Gratus Vineyards is a family owned and operated vineyard and botanical arboretum located in the the Pope Valley, sandwiched between the Howell Mountain and Chiles Valley sub-AVAs of the Napa Valley.  It was founded in 2005 by Dr. Wargovich and his wife, Victoria, who purchased their 27-acre property in 2001.

The property is planted to 10 acres of organic, sustainably farmed vineyards nestled in the lee of Howell Mountain.  It planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah and a mix of  white Rhone varietal grapes. The property  gently slopes up to an elevation of 1,000 feet and is bordered by Pope Creek.

Robbie Meyer is winemaker.  Gratus Vineyards produced its first vintage of 75 cases in 2012. “Gratus”, (pronounced ‘grah-tus’) is Latin for “grateful.” Thomas is certainly grateful for this opportunity provided him through the hard work and resolve of his ancestors and grateful to the many members of this community who helped him along the way.  The back labels of the wine are in Latin and pay homage to his family’s immigrant forefathers..  It translates to: “This is the fruit of the vines of the Wargovich Family vineyard, situated on the sunny slopes of the less of Howell Mountain in St. Helena.  The proprietors wish to thank their ancestors whose hard work made this dream possible“.  Today Gratus produces about 600 cases annually.

In addition to their vineyards, the estate boasts an established arboretum/pinetum with over 1,000 trees planted and cultivated.  It is one of the most extensive plantings on the West Coast.