July 28th 2017 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

July 28th 2017 Newsletter

Decanter Wine Journal 95pts
2015 Long Meadow Ranch Anderson Valley Chardonnay

Exotic and vibrant tropical fruit nose. Superbly zesty and vigorous attack with lots of drive, tension and minerality. Flavors of praline, vanilla pastry cream, pear and light citrus. Admirable energy and length. $40 Our Price $33.99

Château Jean-Pierre Gaussen Bandol Rosé 2016

Producer Notes: 1/3 Cinsault, 1/3 Grenache and 1/3 Mourvèdre Hand Picked in Mid September Cinsault and Grenache are direct pressing, Mourvèdre is obtained by saignée cold stabilization. $22 Our Price $19.99

Vinous 90 pts
Domaine François Villard 2014 Saint-Joseph Poivre et Sel Northern Rhône

Bright violet. Smoke-accented dark berries, licorice and black pepper on the pungent nose. Gently sweet blackberry and blueberry flavors show good depth and a floral quality that emerges with aeration. Displays firm bite and spicy lift on the gently tannic finish, which echoes the smoky note. $33 Our Price $29.99

2015 Walter Hansel Sauvignon Blanc

Winemaker Notes: Our Sauvignon Blanc fruit is grown on our Vineyard Manager's property located in Lake County. We hand select the vineyard section and specific vines based on cluster size, weight and ripeness. Notes of melon, fig and pears with a creamy undercurrent; the vibrant acidity will make it food friendly with a variety of dishes. $17

2013 Paradigm Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes- Heidi Peterson Barrett: Another great vintage with the 2013 for Napa Valley Cab! Dark ruby red color with aromas of sweet, toasty oak, cedar, ripe black cherry, currants and spice. Absolutely delicious across the palate. Flavors are big and mouth coating yet so well balanced and silky across the palate. Dense chewy refined tannins in the mid palate with great length and persistent flavors. This is a beauty that will be delicious at release but is also age worthy. Enjoy! 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. $84 Our Price $74.99 (Arrives 8/2/17)

Wine Spectator 92
LEWIS Chardonnay Napa Valley 2015

Builds intensity and nuance from a firm core, with the light spicy oak joining hands with rich fig, melon and peach notes. This is young and unevolved, so short-term cellaring will be a plus. Drink now through 2020. 1,800 cases made. –JL $55 Our Price $49.99 (Back in stock)

2014 Truchard Carneros Napa Valley Cabernet

Winemaker Notes: An intense nose of ripe cherry, plum, and cassis with a touch of cedar and vanilla. The mouth is layered with flavors of raspberry, red currants, and black cherry jam. Ripe tannins focus the palate and provide a lengthy finish of spice and red fruit. $40 Our Price $32.99 (Arrives 8/2/17)

2016 POMELO Sauvignon Blanc

Winemaker Notes: The high elevation of our Mason Vineyard in Lake County's Kelsey Bench and arc of rich, red volcanic soils, provides a unique growing region for ripe Sauvignon Blanc flavor and body year after year. Aromas of fragrant orange blossom, ruby grapefruit, and white peach flavors set on a light body with pops of lime zest and passion fruit. $11 Our Price $8.75

Vinous 90 pts
Domaine François Villard 2014 Crozes-Hermitage Comme une évidence Northern Rhône

Opaque ruby. Fresh dark berry, violet and cracked pepper scents show good clarity and mineral lift. Spicy, penetrating and lively on the palate, offering bitter cherry and black raspberry flavors that flesh out with aeration. Fine-grained tannins shape the spicy, clinging finish, which leaves a hint of bitter cherry behind. $30 Our Price $26.99

Wine Spectator 87
BROADBENT Madeira Fine Rich NV

Frankly sweet, with date, caramel and toasted sesame notes, backed by a hint of green tea through the open, rounded finish. Madeira 101. Drink now. 8,300 cases made. –JM $18 Our Price $15.59

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 94 pts
Walter Hansel Winery 2014 Pinot Noir Cahill Lane Russian River Valley

The 2014 Pinot Noir Cahill Lane Vineyard is deep, pliant and explosive. The 2014 is defined by its striking aromatics, lovely inner perfume and sheer concentration. Violets, lavender, mint, spice and plum meld into the juicy, inviting finish. Today, the 2014 Cahill Lane is dazzling. It's a simple as that. $39 (Arrives this afternoon)

2013 Faust Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Half Bottles

Winemaker Notes: Rich, juicy blackberry, blueberry and cassis with dark chocolate and cedar spice notes. The dark fruit and minerality shine and are inherent of Coombsville AVA, where our Faust Estate Vineyard is located. A beautiful entry and mid palate are followed by rich aromas and flavors and a sweet fruit finish. $30. Our Price $25.69/375ml


Wine Advocate 95
2014 Martinelli Zinfandel Lolita Ranch

The 2014 Zinfandels are richer and fuller. The 2014 Zinfandel Lolita Ranch (16.4%) displays fabulous fruit, loads of plum, Asian soy, black cherry, forest floor and smoked barbecued meats. The great fruit, extraordinary ripeness and full-bodied power should translate into at least a decade of drinking pleasure. $60 (Back in stock this afternoon)

Wine Spectator 95
MEYER Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2014

Strikingly complex and detailed, with supple, harmonious blackberry, currant, anise, licorice and crushed rock flavors. Gains depth while holding focus and persistence. Drink now through 2032. From California.—J.L. 1,200 cases made. $70 Our Price $64.99 (Back in stock)

Wine Advocate 95+
2013 Michel Rolland Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Michel Rolland's enormous experience and obvious knowledge of great viticulture and winemaking has turned out a 300-case cuvée (14.7% natural alcohol) of exceptional wine. Notes of graphite, créme de cassis, blackberry, and a touch of coffee and white chocolate are present in this wine, which offers elegance, full body, beautiful purity, and sweet, well-integrated tannins. As the wine sits in the glass, some blueberry liqueur notes also develop. This plush, full-bodied wine should hit its prime in 4-5 years and last for 20 or more. 225 cases produced. Vineyard Sources: To Kalon, Missouri Hopper, Dr. Crane and Stagecoach $150 Our Price $134.99

James Suckling 99 Points
Continuum Napa Valley Sage Mountain Vineyard 2014

Fabulous aromas of blueberries, blackcurrants, sage and mint. Lead pencil and graphite, too. Full body and ultra-fine tannins that are slowly transformed to ripe and beautiful fruit. Super polished and textured. Great finish. Drink in 2022, but it's hard not to drink now. This harkens back to the great Mondavi reserves of the 1970s in texture and construction. $225 (Limited)


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