May 7th 201 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

May 7th 201 Newsletter

Wine Spectator 91
HONIG Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2018

Succulent peach, nectarine and dried mango flavors are intense and vibrant, showcasing plenty of style, with a note of honeysuckle lingering effortlessly. Drink now. 49,820 cases made.—MaryAnn Worobiec. $19 Our Price $16.99 (Arrives this afternoon)

Vinous 94 pts
McPrice Myers 2016 Beautiful Earth

Opaque ruby. Intensely perfumed, spice-tinged red and blue fruit, cola, incense and potpourri qualities on the nose. Lush, velvety and expansive in the mouth; bright acidity energizes densely packed black raspberry, blueberry, floral pastille and spicecake flavors. Closes sappy, smooth and very long, displaying excellent focus, harmonious tannins and lingering florality. $45 (Arrives this afternoon)

2017 Lloyd Carneros Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: Picked at the peak of ripeness, this Chardonnay is barrel fermented and aged for 10 months in American oak. Left on the lees right until bottling. Flavors of tropical fruits, pear and apple are supported by rich notes of vanillin, leading into a powerful and succulent finish. $39 Our Price $35.99 (Back in stock 5/8/19)

2014 Darioush Caravan Napa Cabernet

A classically-styled round, supple and sleek red blend – 2014 Caravan is the first vintage to highlight higher proportions of Merlot. The resulting profile is ripe and decadent with palate-pleasing notes of juicy plum, raspberry and flourless chocolate cake. Cabernet Sauvignon, the lion’s share of the blend, adds layers of complexity and an ideal balance between sweet and savory elements. It’s supple yet firm and polished tannin is complemented by dark, spicy notes of black currant and cinnamon; Caravan has a youthful energy that would reward several years of aging. Blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot. $50 Our Price $46.99

Wine Advocate 95
2015 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Land’s Edge Vineyards

One of the brilliant efforts from Hartford Court is the 2015 Pinot Noir Land’s Edge Vineyards. From a site located only four miles from the Pacific Ocean, this wine has a saturated ruby/purple color and a beautiful concentration of blueberry, black raspberry and black cherry, some crushed rock and spring flowers. The terrific fruit on the attack and mid-palate, the full-bodied finish and intensity are all promising in this brilliant effort. Drink it over the next decade. $50 Our Price $42.99

Wine Advocate 93
2016 Joseph Phelps Napa
Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is made up of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc aged for 18 months in 48% new French and American oak and bottled in May/June of 2018. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sings of crushed blackcurrants, blackberry pie and blueberry compote with suggestions of cigar box, menthol, rose hip tea and baking spices. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with vibrant black fruit laced with plenty of spicy sparks, framed by grainy tannins and oodles of freshness and finishing long with a menthol kick. $80 Our Price $64.99

2016 Domaine Tempier Bandol Rouge

Winemaker Notes: At Domaine Tempier, grapes from our different vineyards are skillfully blended to create this wine, made up of between 70 and 75% Mourvedre (depending on the year) combined with Grenache, Cinsault and a hint of Carignan (2%). This fruity, well balanced wine can be enjoyed after 3 or 4 years, but develops extremely pleasant tertiary aromas (leather, animal and undergrowth) with further aging. The wine's balance gives it an aging potential of 15 years or more. A deep ruby color. Aromas of dark fruit. Intense smooth tannins. After 5 or 6 years of aging, the wine will develop notes of leather, forest-floor and small red fruit. 75% Mourvèdre, 14% Grenache, 9% Cinsault, 2% Carignan $53 Our Price $45.99

Wine Spectator 94
PATRICIA GREEN Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Volcanic 2017

Vibrant yet graceful, featuring expressive raspberry and tart cherry aromas and spirited orange peel, spice box and dark tea accents that take on complexity toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2027.—T.F 266 cases made. $42 Our Price $36.99

Wine Spectator 94
BODEGAS Y VIÑEDOS VALDERIZ Ribera del Duero 2014

Dense and muscular, yet graceful, this red balances ripe blackberry and cassis flavors with savory black olive, bitter chocolate and mineral notes. The firm tannins are well-integrated, and lively acidity keeps this fresh through the spicy and floral finish. Drink now through 2028. 420 cases made. –TM. $30 Our Price $26.99

2017 William Harrison Sangiacomo
Los Carneros Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: Our 2017 Chardonnay is comprised of two different vineyard blocks grown just west of the town of Sonoma. Three generations of the Sangiacomo family have farmed wine grapes since 1927, and helped establish Carneros as a world class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir region. Half of this vintage completed malolactic fermentation, which creates a creamy texture to the wine, held together by its naturally bright acidity. Tropical aromatics consist of lemon curd, orange zest, a hint of pineapple and crème brulee. With time in the glass, a faint vanilla bean character becomes more prominent. On the palate, Meyer lemon reigns, backed by stone fruits, toasted cashews and a trace of ghee. The firm acidity cleans up its medium-length finish. $40

2015 McGah Scarlett Rutherford Petit Verdot

Winemaker Notes: The McGah Family Vineyards Petit Verdot block produced a prodigious and compelling wine in 2015. Dark violet in color followed by an intense set of aromas consisting of dark, heady fruit, cedar, and sandalwood spice. The mid-palate consists of firm but perfectly integrated acidity along with a ripe, rich and highly concentrated Rutherford fruit. A beautiful streak of anise runs right through the middle leading to a long and highlighted finish. Consistent with the nature of this varietal, the tannins are forefront, but a have a measure of finesse and polish allowing this wine to be enjoyed in its youth. Drink now with a long decant or allow it to age for 6-10 years. $50

Wine Spectator 97
ALTESINO Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2013

Aromas of juniper, rosemary, thyme and Szechuan peppercorn segue to strawberry, cherry and rose hip flavors in this elegant red. Intense and balanced, with the structure to develop over the next two decades. Shows excellent depth and length. Best from 2022 through 2043. 833 cases made, 500 cases imported. –BS $130 Our Price $116.99 (Arrives 5/8/19)


Wine Advocate 100 Points
2016 Dominus Estate Proprietary Red Wine

A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and 8% Cabernet Franc aged in 40% new oak, the 2016 Proprietary Red Wine is deep purple-black in color and quite reticent at this youthful stage to begin, offering up subtle notions of potpourri, Indian spices, cigar box and iron ore over a core of crushed blackberries and black cherries with intermittent wafts of black and red currants, new leather and smoked meats. The palate is medium to full-bodied with a densely packed mid-palate and oodles of freshness framed by very ripe, finely grained tannins and laced with compelling earthy accents. It offers incredible vibrancy with tons of black and red fruit sparkle in the mid-palate leading to a provocative mineral element on the very long finish. If I could give more than 100 for this one, I would. To be released in May 2019. $335 Our Price $299.95 Limited


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