July 14th 2017 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

July 14th 2017 Newsletter

Wine Spectator 90
LE P'TIT PAYSAN Rosé Pierre's Pirouette Central Coast 2016

A charmer, with pretty watermelon aromas and lively strawberry and spice accents. Mourvèdre, Grenache and Cinsault. Drink now. 1,050 cases made.—T.F. $19 Our Price $15.39


Wine Spectator 90
MARCHESI DE' FRESCOBALDI Vermentino Toscana Ammiraglia Massovivo 2016

This is round, evoking white peach, melon and straw flavors, with a hint of grapefruit. Beautifully balanced, fresh and easy to cozy up to. A light mineral accent graces the finish. Drink now. 900 cases imported.—B.S. $20 Our Price $16.39

James Suckling 93 Points
2015 Ritual Pinot Noir

A pinot noir with beautiful strawberry and plum aromas and flavors. Full body, fine tannins and a precise ripe fruit and fresh character. Complex with light chocolate, walnut and berry aftertaste. Show a little more ripeness than 2014. Drink now. Made from biodynamic grapes. $20 Our Price $11.99

2015 Joullian Monterey Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: Brilliant, pale green straw-gold color. Perfumy mango, white peach, pineapple and citrus rind aromas jump out of the glass. These same tropical characteristics are reflected in a rich, fruit driven flavor profile that finishes with refreshing acidity and hints of minerality and roasted grain. Cellar thru 2020 at 55° F. $25 Our Price $16.99

2016 Spottswoode Napa Sauvignon Blanc, 375ml

Winemaker Notes: Layers of flavor and beauty—juicy and inviting, with a mélange of white peach, guava, and nectarine. A wine of great complexity—there is a sense of creaminess (lemon meringue comes to mind) juxtaposed with a bright freshness that offers lift and vivacity. $19/375ml

Wine Spectator 94
LANCASTER Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2014

Big and rich, with firm, structured tannins that are powerful and edgy, framing the core of blackberry, black cherry, plum and espresso flavors. An impressive effort. Best from 2019 through 2029.—J.L $75 Our Price $59.99

Wine Spectator 93
SONOMA-LOEB Chardonnay Carneros El Novillero 2015

Ultrarich and concentrated, with layers of fruit complexity built around green apple, pear, melon, apricot and peach flavors. A real mouthful of full-bodied Chardonnay, showing a seam of elegance. Drink now through 2021.—J.L. 485 cases made. $42 Our Price $39.79

2013 Hook and Ladder Los Amigos Ranch Cabernet

Winemaker Notes: Our single vineyard Cabernet is aged for up to 17 months in a combination of European and American oak. The wine contains a small amount of Merlot, also from our Los Amigos ranch, to enhance the silky texture of this exquisite Cabernet. This dark maroon Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits bright aromas of blackberry, raspberry, cherry and hints of cinnamon spice. The multi-layered flavors of red and black berries, currants, juicy cherry and spices combine well with a long, lingering finish of mixed berry, cherry and light oak. The rich flavor and deep character of this balanced wine displays well-developed tannins which pair well with a multitude of dishes, especially beef, and allow this Cab to be cellared for many years. $29 Our Price $23.99

Wine Spectator 92
CHÂTEAU D’EPIRÉ Savennières Cuvée Spéciale 2014

Has a hint of maturity, with light almond and salted butter notes framing the core of creamed yellow apple, quince and pear flavors. A twinge of mirabelle plum on the finish lends lift and contrast. There’s plenty of life here for more cellaring. Drink now through 2027.—J.M. 383 cases imported $30 Our Price $24.99

Wine Spectator 96
LA SERENA Brunello di Montalcino 2012

Enticing from the first aromas of fresh cherry, violet and spice, this supple red is balanced and expressive. Matches an elegant frame with a firm backbone of tannins and lively acidity. Very persistent on the long, detailed aftertaste. Best from 2020 through 2036. 2,280 cases made. –BS $50

2015 Three Sticks One Sky Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: Sonoma Mountain, 2,300 feet tall at its peak, is the source of this beautiful Chardonnay. Our “One Sky” Chardonnay delights with a balance of oak spice, lush fruit and pert acidity. Your palate is greeted with rich, toasty aromas of baked pie crust elegantly framed by hints of ripe lime and nutmeg spice. Luscious apricots and candied nuts explode on entry. Undertones of butterscotch lead to a delicious lemon curd and crème brulée finish. Our “One Sky” Chardonnay shows off the richness and complexity of Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay and has become a favorite at Three Sticks. $50

Wine Spectator 95
BEAUX FRÈRES Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge The Beaux Frères Vineyard 2015

Offers impressive presence and polish, with a multilayered, complex core wrapped in rich and expressive blueberry and cherry flavors. Drink now through 2025.—T.F $95 Our Price $84.99 (Limited)

2013 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Our 2013 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is garnet in color with a ruby red rim, it has an alluring nose of blackberry bramble, baking spices and black olive. Aromas of vanilla, cassis and sage fill the glass, revealing the influence of American oak barrel aging. On the palate, notes of raspberry are complemented with lingering acidity and a finish of dusty, silky tannins. Given proper cellaring, this wine will provide drinking pleasure through 2036. $75 Our Price $69.99 (Arrives 8/1/17)

Wine Advocate 100
2013 Dominus Estate Proprietary Red Wine

The 2013 Dominus is, to my way of thinking, one of the most profound wines Christian Moueix has yet made in his rather brilliant winemaking history, both in France and in Napa Valley. This wine, with very low yields of only 3,500 cases and a final blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc, offers up notes of cedar wood, forest floor, loamy soil and oodles of blackberry and blackcurrant fruit. Very opaque purple in color, super-pure and intense, this wine has low acidity, but ripe, noticeable tannins. This is a 30- to 40-year wine and a profound effort from this famous vineyard in Yountville. Drink it over the next 40+ years. Market $250-$515 (One bottle available at $315/bottle)


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