July 6th 2018 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

July 6th 2018 Newsletter

2015 Chimney Rock Napa Sauvignon Blanc 

Winemaker Notes: Aromas of stone fruit, pear and lemon curd highlight the nose on this wine. Crisp and medium-bodied, this wine has great acidity and a nice roundness in the mid-palate. Fermented in a blend of stainless steel tanks and stainless steel barrels. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. $25 Our Price $20.99

Wine Advocate 95
2016 Paul Lato Pinot Noir Solomon Hills Vineyard Suerte

The 2016 Pinot Noir Solomon Hills Vineyard Suerte offers up a dramatic bouquet of plum preserve, crushed currants, rose petal, raspberries and vine smoke, framed—like all Lato's reds—by a lavish application of high-quality new oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, velvety and succulent, with a layered mid-palate, polished tannins and a long, tangy finish. $84

2015 McGah Scarlett Rutherford
Sauvignon Blanc

Winemaker Notes: 2015 ushered in the earliest harvest date for most vineyards in the Napa Valley. Abundant hang time was prevalent, bringing maximum phenolic ripeness from our old lightly irrigated To Kalon clone Sauvignon Blanc vines. Light straw to blonde with a sparkling green tinge, aromas of tangerine, lemon grass, melon and lime blossoms explode from the glass when swirled. A crisp but delicate finish brings this wine together, making this an easy summer crowd pleaser. Known for its light and pleasing viscosity, it pairs perfectly with a cheese platter or light summer fare. Drinking nicely now and for the next 2-3 years. $24 (Back in stock)

Wine Advocate 97+
2014 Crane Assembly Cabernet Sauvignon G.B. Crane Vineyard

Composed of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 5% Petite Sirah, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon G.B. Crane Vineyard is deep garnet-purple in color and scented of cassis, black cherries and warm plums with touches of pencil shavings, wood smoke, fertile soil and yeast extract with a waft of menthol. Medium to full-bodied, it has a firm frame of grainy tannins and wonderful freshness with intense flavors, finishing long. 299 cases produced. $225

Wine Spectator 93
HENRIOT Brut Rosé Champagne NV

A beautiful range of aromatic spices accents the white raspberry, pastry and pink grapefruit notes in this harmonious rosé . There's tension to the knit of vibrant acidity and chalky texture, driving this to a lasting, minerally finish. Drink now through 2020. 1,000 cases imported. –AN $70 Our Price $59.95

Wine Advocate 95
2015 Crane Assembly G.B. Crane Vineyard el Coco

A blend of 56% Zinfandel, 27% Petite Sirah and 17% Merlot, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2015 G.B. Crane Vineyard el Coco gives up a very seductive nose of fruitcake, chocolate box, fragrant earth and incense with hints of raspberry pie and blueberry compote plus a waft of Indian spices. Concentrated, full-bodied and completely packed with dried berries and exotic spice layers, it has a firm, chewy texture and plenty of freshness to boost the very long finish. 750 cases produced. $75

2016 McGah Scarlett Rutherford Zinfandel

Winemaker Notes: Dark and opulent ruby hues greet the eye as a classic Zin nose flush with red fruit, licorice root, bramble berry take center stage. Glass coating glycerin, a natural acidity lift, and a medium plus weight frame this garnet beauty throughout. The mid palate is loaded with mixed dark fruits, spice cake and root beer. An undeniable streak of anise right down the middle glides into to a 20 second plus finish. Full bodied and structured, a 1 hour decant works magic with this wine or lay it down for a few years to uncover hidden layers and complexities. Drink early or age for 4-6 years. 100% Zinfandel. $42

Wine Advocate 95
2016 Ridge Geyserville Proprietary Red

The 2016 Geyserville Proprietary Red Wine is a real success this year, bursting from the glass with an exuberant bouquet of sweet cherries, blackberries and plums, with subtle hints of the licorice and spice to come with age, and a subtle framing of sweet new oak. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and layered, with a lovely core of ripe, succulent fruit and beautifully fine-grained structuring tannins. The finish is long and pure. There are 23 different grape varieties co-planted in the Geyserville vineyard, but in 2016, Zinfandel dominates at 73%, followed by 17% Carignane, 7% Petite Sirah and 3% Alicante Bouschet. $45 Our Price $38.99

2017 Bedrock Ode To Lulu Rose

Our 2017 iteration of this wine is one of my favorites to date. Made from old vine Mataro/Mourvedre (75%) and Grenache, this wine extracts the limpid essence of beautiful old fruit and lets it show through nervy and delicious rosé. All lots for the wine were picked at low potential alcohol and whole-cluster pressed, leaving behind the signature faint salmon color. Despite the light color, this feels perhaps the most “Bandol-esque” iteration of this wine we have made – capturing the mix of savory Mataro and spicy and racy Grenache we love so much. This is dangerously drinkable stuff! $22 (Back in stock)

Wine Spectator 93
ANTHEM Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard 2012

A classically styled Cabernet that's firm in structure and taut in focus and flavor, with a direct core of gravel and cedary oak—scented dark berry, licorice and savory herb flavors. Ends with drying, gripping tannins but also dense fruit and oak flavors. Drink now through 2028. 400 cases made. –JL $95 (Back in stock)

Wine Advocate 93+
2015 Familiar Air Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 4% Syrah and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon displays a deep garnet-purple color and fragrant notes of red roses, red and black currants, menthol and violets with touches of cinnamon stick and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, muscular and with a firm backbone of ripe, grainy tannins, the finish is not just persistent, it is thought-provoking and refreshing such that it keeps you coming back for more. Although it is drinking well now, it should have more to give with 2-3 years in the cellar and continue to give pleasure over the following 15 years. $85

2016 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Winemaker Notes: A dark, scarlet red color, with powerful aromas of sweet ripe cabernet grapes. Initial impressions are fantastically appealing, brooding to expansive textural sensations of finely grained cacao tannins. The whole of the wine is balanced, rich, expressive and impressively complex. The backbone of fine tannin and sweet ripeness is a carry over from perfectly mature fruit. $90 Our Price $79.95 (Limited quantity arrives this afternoon. Additional wine arrives next week)


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