GRO Wines
2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Polaris Vineyard"
Howell Mountain AVA
Auction 29 | Lot No. 143
Vintage: 2023
GRO Wines
Cabernet Sauvignon
Howell Mountain
5 cases produced
Highlights
- Single vineyard, composed of red volcanic loam soil, grown at 1,800 feet elevation
- 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
- Produced and bottled in Oakville, aging in the finest French oak
- Vineyard owned and grown by St. Helena's 40-year Boy Scout leader, Jon Dodge
Description
The 2023 vintage from Polaris Vineyard, in the renowned Howell Mountain appellation, is an intense wine from an intense site. Cabernet Sauvignon lovers will rejoice with this mouth filling, inky wine, from a vintage that developed after a small-berried drought year. Notes of dried lavender, pomegranate preserves, dried blueberries, cracked black pepper and classic mountain fruit please the palate aromatically.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Wine was dry farmed
Lars Bjorkman
Winemaker, GRO Wines
Lars Bjorkman grew up in Fresno, CA, surrounded by table grape and raisin vineyards. His family settled there from Sweden just before he was born, making him the first of his family to be born in the United States. Using his offensive line football skills to get into University of California, Davis, where he initially planned to pursue medicine like his father, he instead pivoted to graduate with a degree in viticulture and enology from the world-renowned program. Lars has worked at Gloria Ferrer, R.H. Phillips, BRL Hardy’s in Australia, Flora Springs, and Saddleback in Oakville, where he now makes the wine along with owner Nils Venge--the first Napa Valley winemaker to receive 100 points from Robert Parker. He also consults for various projects.
Country born: United States
Education: B.S. Viticulture and Enology, UC Davis, class of 2000
O.I.V. summer marketing certificate, 2000
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Grow or get your hands on the most consistent, best tasting wine grapes, and repeat. Let the fruit shine, and show it's AVA & vintage characteristics.
Lars Bjorkman
Winemaker, GRO Wines
Lars Bjorkman grew up in Fresno, CA, surrounded by table grape and raisin vineyards. His family settled there from Sweden just before he was born, making him the first of his family to be born in the United States. Using his offensive line football skills to get into University of California, Davis, where he initially planned to pursue medicine like his father, he instead pivoted to graduate with a degree in viticulture and enology from the world-renowned program. Lars has worked at Gloria Ferrer, R.H. Phillips, BRL Hardy’s in Australia, Flora Springs, and Saddleback in Oakville, where he now makes the wine along with owner Nils Venge--the first Napa Valley winemaker to receive 100 points from Robert Parker. He also consults for various projects.
Country born: United States
Education: B.S. Viticulture and Enology, UC Davis, class of 2000
O.I.V. summer marketing certificate, 2000
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Grow or get your hands on the most consistent, best tasting wine grapes, and repeat. Let the fruit shine, and show it's AVA & vintage characteristics.
Archie's Waeside
224 Fourth Avenue, NE
LeMars IA 51031
712-546-7011
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Archie's Waeside:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRO Wines | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | Polaris Vineyard | 29 (2025) |
| Brandlin | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | Blue Shale | 28 (2024) |
| Hossfeld Vineyards | 2021 | Red Table Wine | Napa Valley | CCF Blend - Coliseum/Contour/Flagpole | 27 (2023) |
| Anthem Winery And Vineyards | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | Estate | 24 (2020) |
| Y. Rousseau Wines | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Le Pic de Stagecoach | 21 (2017) |
| Farella Vineyard | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | Terrace Reserve | 20 (2016) |
| Materra, Cunat Family Vineyards | 2015 | Merlot | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | Block 2, Barrel Fermented | 20 (2016) |
| VinRoc Wine Caves | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | Coyote's Howl | 18 (2014) |
| Larkin Wines | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 17 (2013) | |
| VinRoc Wine Caves | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | Koko's Block | 16 (2012) |
| VinRoc Wine Caves | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | 15 (2011) | |
| William Cole Vineyards | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 12 (2008) |
Winery Distribution
GRO Wines is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
Domestic:
- New Jersey (Vias Wine)
- New York (Vias Wine)
- Texas (Redoux Wine)
International:
- Puerto Rico (Bespoke Selection)