November 10th 2017 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

November 10th 2017 Newsletter

Celebrate the Harvest! Arrives Thursday, 11/16/17!
2017 Bouchard Beaujolais Nouveau $8.99

Wine Spectator 91
LUCIENNE Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands Smith Vineyard

2014 Rich and full-bodied, with a dense core of earthy blackberry, wild berry, currant, spice, loamy earth and cedary oak flavors. Drink now through 2025. 1,428 cases made. –JL $50 Our Price $29.95

Wine Advocate 90
2014 Elderton • Shiraz Cabernet E Series

Deep garnet-purple, the 2014 Shiraz Cabernet E Series is a blend of 90% Shiraz and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that opens to a very spicy nose of cloves, vanilla and cinnamon stick with a baked blueberry core. The medium-bodied palate offers tons of spicy fruit that is deftly framed by velvety tannins before finishing long. $19 Our Price $12.99

2014 Hedges Red Mountain Estate Cabernet

Winemaker Notes: Deep purple color, yet not opaque. A sense of finesse in the color which suggests liveliness on the palate. The mouth feel is angular, with grace and precision. The 2014 vintage produced a savory character in the wines, like that of fennel, salt, tar and steel. Highly integrated tannins, dusty in a sense, alongside protective acidity guarding against premature oxidation. This wine, like other Red Mountain AVA wines before, will develop beautifully for up to 25 or more years with proper cellaring. While a fine wine now with food, should develop well for drinking on its own as it slowly evolves. $45 Our Price $38.49

Wine Advocate 94+
2014 K Vintners Morrison Lane Syrah

The 2014 Syrah Morrison Lane Vineyard from Walla Walla offers a perfumed bouquet of incense, white pepper, plum and hoisin sauce, as well as full-bodied richness, building tannin and a great finish. It needs short term cellaring to integrate those tannin, but is an impressive Syrah. $45 Our Price $37.95

Wine Spectator 92
SCHILD Shiraz Barossa Valley 2015

The toasted herb notes are distinctive, offering rosemary and bay leaf accents to the dried cherry and blackberry core, with accents of fresh orange zest and plenty of cigar box details. Expressive, especially on the finish. Drink now through 2030. 13,412 cases made. –MW $20 Our Price $17.99 (Arrives 11/14/17)

Wine Spectator 91
BLUE FARM Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Gap's Crown Vineyard 2014

Juicy plum, blueberry and blackberry flavors form the core in this elegant, stylish effort that succeeds with a zesty fruit presence and enough tannic grip to hold attention. Drink now through 2022. 133 cases made. –JL $60

2015 Vice Versa Le Petit Vice Napa Cabernet

Winemaker Notes: Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from acclaimed vineyards in the Napa Valley, the 2015 Le Petit Vice is a true testament to the 2015 vintage; full-bodied, layered and refined. Offering complex aromatics of plum, red cherry and cassis, with subtle hints of licorice, black tea and thyme. It's rich mouthfeel excites the palate while maintaining a beautiful balance of ripe fruit and acidity. With integrated fine tannins, the 2015 Le Petit Vice rolls like a wave into a seemingly never-ending finish. This is a wine to treasure and share for years to come. Winemaker: Phillipe Melka Vineyards: Beckstoffer Las Piedras, To Kalon, Dr. Crane and Stagecoach. $75 Delicious!

James Suckling 94 Points
2014 Faust Napa Cabernet, Magnum

This is very intense with blackberries, dark chocolate, fresh mushrooms and blackcurrants. Full-bodied, fine and fruity yet complex and intense. Structured and lightly austere. Beautiful. Drink in 2020. $135/magnum. Our Price $115.99/magnum

Wine Spectator 92
ORIN SWIFT Machete California 2015

Dark and brooding, and while lacking some of the polish of previous vintages, this packs in plenty of power and richness, plus notes of blackberry, spice box and smoky tobacco. Finishes with big but refined tannins. Petite Sirah, Syrah and Grenache. Drink now through 2027.—T.F $55

94 Points Best of Monterey Toast of The Coast Wine Competition
2014 Cru Montage Monterey Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: Pale Golden color. Aromas of white peach, nectarine and lime. Fruity yet full body and an elegant crème Anglaise, melon and Meyer’s lemon finish. 100% Chardonnay $20 Our Price $15.75 (Back in stock)

2016 Black Pine Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: The wine shows appealing aromas of Bing cherry mixed with vanilla and baking spice. The deep ruby and purple wine reveals candied red plum that lingers in the glass. The 2016 Black Pine is sensuous and mouth filling and shows black cherry and strawberry flavors. Medium bodied flavors of perfumed Cherry, lush red fruit and clove give way to the bright natural acidity and fine tannins that draw out a long and impressive finish. $28 Our Price $19.99

Wine Spectator 92
FLORA SPRINGS Merlot Napa Valley 2014

Silky tannins support concentrated and vibrant flavors of plum tart, cherry and raspberry. Creamy midpalate, with a lusciously spiced finish that has hints of dried tarragon. Drink now through 2021.—K.M $30 Our Price $22.95

J Cuvee 20 Russian River Brut

Winemaker Notes: Our J Cuvée 20 Brut gracefully opens up with the crisp, clean allure of toasted almonds and Meyer lemon aromas. Upon entry, you notice a delicate tickle of fresh mousse on the nose and palate. Bright acidity adds to the liveliness, while flavors of lemon and lime zest lead to an Asian pear finish. This versatile sparkler is the perfect wine to drink anytime, from enjoying a relaxing evening at home to celebrating life’s memorable moments. I suggest serving it with classic Eggs Benedict or lemon-scented risotto with caramelized sunchokes. It’s also great with Point Reyes Blue Cheese and air-popped popcorn sprinkled with parmesan cheese. $38 Our Price $28.99

2016 Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay, 3 Liter

Winemaker Notes: Enticing aromas of vanilla, melon and mango are layered with apricot, creme brulee, butter and a slight minerality. Those scents are echoed as flavors on the creamy, rich palate, along with peach, pie crust and baking spices. The long, smooth finish is marked by mouthwatering acidity. $165/3L.

Wine Advocate 94
2014 Caymus Napa Cabernet, Magnum

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley has a dense opaque purple color, a kiss of blackberry and cassis fruit, a full-bodied mouthfeel with ripe tannin and a long finish. It is very Caymus in its immediate accessibility, but has plenty of staying power and depth. This is lush, full, intense and pure. Drink it over the next 15 or so years. $180/magnum Our Price $149.99/magnum Limited

2015 Vice Versa Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: A blend of extraordinary vineyards in Oakville, Saint Helena, Pritchard Hill and Napa, our 2015 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a medley of rich flavors that offer striking depth. A graceful structure concentrates the beautiful purity and exceptional balance that form the core of this wine before leading to a silky finale. 10 Barrels (250 cases) produced. $150

Wine Advocate 94
2013 Marciano Estate Proprietary Red Blend Massiglia

Another cuvée they make that is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon is the 2013 Proprietary Red Blend Massiglia, which is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. This is a gorgeous wine, with notes of crushed rock, white flowers, blueberry and blackberry liqueur as well as touches of forest floor and underbrush. It is deep, full-bodied, layered and ideal for drinking over the next 20 years. $125



2012 Silver Oak Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, 6 Liter

Winemaker Notes: Our 2012 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon artfully combines the classic elegance of the old world and the ripe fruit of California. It displays an opaque garnet color with a bouquet driven by fruity aromas of blackberry liqueur and hoisin sauce. It also offers the savory components of sage and molasses. These complex aromatics are complemented by sandalwood and nutmeg characteristics indicative of American oak aging. This is a well-structured wine with a compact and rich mid-palate buttressed by silky tannins and generous acidity. Given proper cellaring, this wine will provide drinking pleasure through 2037. $1250/6 Liter Our Price $1099 Limited


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