I have not been a fan of Groth cabs since Venge left, but I received a letter today from Groth saying that the 99 vintage will be the last vintage of their Reserve bottling. They ripped up the vines and replanted, but can not determine when the fruit will be ready for a reserve bottling. It is held off indefinitly they say.

Thought some of you might be interested.

I've never tried a Groth Reserve bottling, but I have often wondered if they are worth purchasing.

Since I became familiar with the winery (3 or so years ago), their bottlings have always been in the $130+ range. Presumably they fetched half that several years ago...

Have these ever been a buy at any historical price point?

1985 Groth Reserve was the first California wine that Parker ever rated as a 100. It is more than worth purchasing. The 84 was very fine as well. Recent vintages have been pretty good but seriously over priced (see for example my review of the 98 Reserve in the Wine Review).

I have two of the '94 Reserves in my cellar. I assume that they are still a "hold."

Dick

Its been quite some time since I tasted the 94 Reserve but I remember it being quite forward. I personally would pull the cork on one fairly soon - 9 years is usually a good time to open up many Cal Cabs. The 85 however still has plenty of time left ahead of it.

Nils Venge crafted the wines in the middle 80s. What year did Nils depart?

I have thought the past couple of reserves were OK but probably not on my list to purchase more. This helps with the decision

The 94 is drinking great right now. I dont know if I would hold off on the 85 too much longer - had 2 bottles this year and both were excellent and mature. Caveat on this - I'm a fruit ho.

I agree with sfrye. I had the '94 Reserve (mag) last year. Drinking very well. I rated it a 94-95. The same night I had:

1990 Silver Oak Bonnie (mag)
1982 Camus Special Select (mag)

...'94 the Groth Reserve Killed them both.

I have been buying Groth for years. And, visited them a few times. I have cases of this stuff (only a couple of the Reserve). It is a very, very good Wine...But for what price... I used to pay $28.00 a few years ago. Bought it by the case every year. As usual, they raised & raised prices every year. My last purchase was in '97, I paid $42.00. Now, they want about $50.00. No way, they are worth that. I would Not pay a dollar over $38.00 for it.

And, I agree with Jones that the Reserve is really OverPriced. The few that I have were Gifts.

two years ago i had the 92 groth reserve cab. it was tremendous.

94 Reserve was the last year I bought Groth - feel that they've slipped (but of course the price hasnt).

I was just in a wine shop this mornign and saw the 1998 Groth Reserve. The price was $144.95. Man that is high.

ojeffso,

This will likely make you nuts, but I just donated a 3.0L of the 92 reserve to a school charity auction (which is tonight, actually). I'll let you know how much it raises.

\bob

Skwid.....that price is ridiculous. I hope nobody is foolish enough to buy it and the retailer drinks it himself (perhaps I am being harsh).

Dick

did they replant due to phylloxera or virus?

if virus, they could replant the same year; if phylloxera it could be longer depending on how they decide to deal with the phylloxera

and if their Reserve comes from that particular plot, it may be 4years+ if it's just virus, more if phylloxera, or more if they want their vines to get a few harvests behind them

Finished off the last of the '91 and '92 Reserves. As ojeffso said, these were excellent. The '94 is my next and last year from this winery. The pricing outpaces the quality now.

FWIW, I believe the owner of Groth was the founder of Atari, but like that company the best days are long gone.

...we had a large format bottle of the Groth 85 reserve at a party here at the house. Nils was here with us. It is such a stunning wine. For the longest time Nils had a barrel of it that he would use for his Viking Port every year to give to friends but not for sale.