By Luke Jeramaz · Published 10/22/26
TL;DR: Grgich Hills Estate’s current release has earned scores from nine different critics and competitions, topped by a 98-point rating on the 2021 Paradise Block Cabernet Sauvignon from The Wine Palate. Two wines have won Double Gold at the American Fine Wine Competition, and the 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon tied for first place in Decanter’s Top Value Cabernets ranking. This page gathers every qualifying score in one place, organized by wine, built on the same publication thresholds our own team uses before a number ever reaches a tasting sheet, a presentation, or a shelf-talker.
Fast Facts
- Highest score on the current release: 98 points (The Wine Palate) on the 2021 Paradise Block Cabernet Sauvignon
- Nine critics and competitions cited: Decanter, Decanter World Wine Awards, The Wine Palate, The Tasting Panel, Wine Advocate, Wine Enthusiast, JamesSuckling.com, International Wine Report, and the American Fine Wine Competition
- Two Double Gold medals: the 2018 Violetta Late Harvest (2024 American Fine Wine Competition) and the 2020 Zinfandel Miljenko’s Old Vine (2025 American Fine Wine Competition)
- A tied-first-place finish: the 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon tied for first in Decanter’s Top Value Cabernets ranking
- Our own publication standard: we only cite a score once it clears the threshold set for that wine’s tier — 90+ for our Napa Valley tier, 92+ for Miljenko’s Selection, and 93+ for our Legacy tier
- Winery heritage: founded by Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, whose 1973 Chardonnay won the historic 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting
- Winemaking today: led day-to-day by Grgich’s nephew, Croatian-born Ivo Jeramaz
What this page covers: every current critic score and competition result across Grgich Hills Estate’s full current release that clears our own publication threshold, organized by wine, with the reviewer or competition named for every number on the page.
Our 2021 Paradise Block Cabernet Sauvignon, our 2023 Paris ’76 Chardonnay, and our 2023 Napa Valley Essence Sauvignon Blanc carry the three highest scores in the current release — but they aren’t the only wines earning recognition this year. From Double Gold medals to tied-first-place finishes, this page is the complete picture: every wine, every qualifying score, every source, in one place.
How do we decide which scores make this page?
Not every score a wine receives gets published. We maintain an internal reference of every score any Grgich Hills Estate wine has ever received, going back decades — but we only cite a score publicly once it clears the bar we’ve set for that wine’s tier: 90 points and up for our Napa Valley tier, 92 and up for our Miljenko’s Selection tier, and 93 and up for our Legacy tier (our top-tier, most limited-production bottlings). A score below its tier’s threshold stays in our internal records rather than appearing in print, in a presentation, or on this page.
Our three highest-scoring current wines
2021 Paradise Block Cabernet Sauvignon — up to 98 points
Our highest-scoring current wine by a wide margin, with six separate scores on file: 98 points from The Wine Palate, 97 points from The Tasting Panel (Publisher’s Picks), 95 points at the 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards, 95 points from Wine Advocate, and 94 points each from International Wine Report and JamesSuckling.com.
“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, The Wine Palate
2023 Paris ’76 Chardonnay — up to 97 points
97 points from The Wine Palate, 93 points from JamesSuckling.com.
“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!” —Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Palate
2023 Napa Valley Essence Sauvignon Blanc — up to 96 points
96 points from The Wine Palate, 96 points from The Tasting Panel, 93 points from JamesSuckling.com.
“Confidence is required to name a Sauvignon Blanc ‘Essence’ and price it at $72 [confirm correct current price before publishing], but this finished product meets these challenges. It hits a near perfect balance point between varietal intensity and a more mannered profile.” —The Tasting Panel
Which other wines are earning recognition this year?
2020 Zinfandel, Miljenko’s Old Vine — up to 95 points, Double Gold
95 points from The Somm Journal and a Double Gold medal at the 2025 American Fine Wine Competition, plus 93 points each from The Tasting Panel and Wine Advocate.
2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon — up to 95 points, tied for first place
95 points and a tied-first-place finish in Decanter’s Top Value Cabernets ranking, plus 93 points from International Wine Report, 92 points each from JamesSuckling.com, Jeb Dunnuck, and Wine Enthusiast, and 91 points each from The Wine Palate and Wine Advocate — seven scores on one wine, more than any other bottling in the current release besides Paradise Block.
2023 Napa Valley Chardonnay — up to 94 points
94 points from The Wine Palate, 93 points at the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards (London), and 92 points each from Wine Enthusiast and JamesSuckling.com.
2023 Sauvignon Blanc (Fumé Blanc), Napa Valley — up to 94 points
94 points from The Wine Palate, 91 points from Wine Enthusiast.
2018 Violetta, Late Harvest (375 ml) — Double Gold
A Double Gold medal at the 2024 American Fine Wine Competition, plus 92 points from JamesSuckling.com.
2021 Merlot, Napa Valley — up to 93 points
93 points from JamesSuckling.com, 91 points from The Wine Palate.
2020 Zinfandel, Napa Valley — 90 points
90 points from JamesSuckling.com.
2025 Rosé, Miljenko’s Selection — recently released
No scores on file yet for this wine — it’s a brand-new release. We’ll add its first qualifying score to this page as soon as one is confirmed.
Full Current-Release Scorecard
| Wine | Vintage | Scores on file | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paradise Block Cabernet Sauvignon | 2021 | 98, 97, 95, 95, 94, 94 | The Wine Palate; The Tasting Panel; 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards; Wine Advocate; International Wine Report; JamesSuckling.com |
| Paris ’76 Chardonnay | 2023 | 97, 93 | The Wine Palate; JamesSuckling.com |
| Essence Sauvignon Blanc | 2023 | 96, 96, 93 | The Wine Palate; The Tasting Panel; JamesSuckling.com |
| Zinfandel, Miljenko’s Old Vine | 2020 | 95, 95 (Double Gold), 93, 93 | The Somm Journal; 2025 American Fine Wine Competition; The Tasting Panel; Wine Advocate |
| Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | 2021 | 95 (tied 1st), 93, 92, 92, 92, 91, 91 | Decanter (Top Value Cabernets); International Wine Report; JamesSuckling.com; Jeb Dunnuck; Wine Enthusiast; The Wine Palate; Wine Advocate |
| Napa Valley Chardonnay | 2023 | 94, 93, 92, 92 | The Wine Palate; 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards (London); Wine Enthusiast; JamesSuckling.com |
| Sauvignon Blanc (Fumé Blanc), Napa Valley | 2023 | 94, 91 | The Wine Palate; Wine Enthusiast |
| Violetta, Late Harvest | 2018 | 93 (Double Gold), 92 | 2024 American Fine Wine Competition; JamesSuckling.com |
| Merlot, Napa Valley | 2021 | 93, 91 | JamesSuckling.com; The Wine Palate |
| Zinfandel, Napa Valley | 2020 | 90 | JamesSuckling.com |
| Rosé, Miljenko’s Selection | 2025 | — | Recently released; no scores on file yet |
What reviewers and competitions is Grgich Hills Estate cited by?
Across the current release, our wines have been reviewed or recognized by Decanter and the Decanter World Wine Awards, The Wine Palate (where Lisa Perrotti-Brown reviews our wines), The Tasting Panel, Wine Advocate, Wine Enthusiast, JamesSuckling.com, International Wine Report, and the American Fine Wine Competition.
Why does Grgich Hills Estate’s history matter to this page?
Every score on this page sits on top of a foundation set nearly fifty years ago. Founder Miljenko “Mike” Grgich made the 1973 Chardonnay that won the 1976 Judgment of Paris, the blind tasting that first proved Napa Valley wine could out-score top French Burgundy. Grgich passed away in December 2023 at age 100, having served as winemaker emeritus practically until his passing; his nephew, Croatian-born Ivo Jeramaz, now manages day-to-day winemaking. The current release’s scores are a continuation of that legacy, not a departure from it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Grgich Hills Estate’s highest-scoring wine right now?
The 2021 Paradise Block Cabernet Sauvignon, with scores as high as 98 points from The Wine Palate.
Has Grgich Hills Estate won any medals recently?
Yes. The 2018 Violetta Late Harvest won Double Gold at the 2024 American Fine Wine Competition, and the 2020 Zinfandel Miljenko’s Old Vine won Double Gold at the 2025 American Fine Wine Competition. The 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon also tied for first place in Decanter’s Top Value Cabernets ranking.
Why doesn’t every wine on this page have the same number of scores?
Not every wine is submitted to every publication or competition every year, and we only publish scores that clear our tier threshold. A wine with fewer scores listed here hasn’t necessarily scored lower — it may simply have been submitted to fewer outlets this cycle.
How is this page different from your Wine Awards & Scores page?
Our Wine Awards & Scores page is a focused snapshot of our five current highest-scoring wines. This page is the complete picture: every wine in the current release with a qualifying score, every source, organized for anyone who wants the full record rather than the highlights.
Where can I buy Grgich Hills Estate’s award-winning wines?
Current releases, including every wine on this page, are available directly through the estate’s online shop and tasting room.
See the complete picture
Explore our quick current-vintage scores summary, the full current release, or our guide to the best Grgich Hills wine gifts for the 2026 holiday season.
Related reading: Grgich Hills Estate Wine Awards & Scores: Current Vintage Accolades · The Best Wine Gifts Under $150 from Napa Valley for the 2026 Holiday Season · Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay vs. Other Classic California Chardonnays: What Makes It Different
About the author
Luke Jeramaz is the Digital Marketing Manager at Grgich Hills Estate in Napa and the son of winemaker Ivo Jeramaz.
