July 21st 2020 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

July 21st 2020 Newsletter

In Stock!
2018 Buccella Mica Napa Cabernet $115

Sourced from Oakville, Yountville, St Helena, and Coombsville. 500 cases produced. 90% Cabernet with the balance of Merlot and Malbec.

Wine Spectator 92
GREEN & RED Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley Catacula Vineyard 2017

Striking, vibrant and expressive, offering a powerful mouthful of peach, mango and orange sherbet flavors that reveal a honeyed edge. Crisp, vibrant acidity and honeysuckle details show on the finish. Drink now. 325 cases made. — MW $24 Our Price $18.99 (Back in stock 7/22/20)

Wine Advocate 92
2017 Quinta Vale do Meao "Meandro" Douro

The 2017 Meandro do Vale Meão is a blend of 33% Touriga Franca, 45% Touriga Nacional, 15% Tinta Roriz, with Tinta Barroca and Alicante Bouschet for the rest, all aged for 14 months in used French oak. It comes in at 14% alcohol. This was bottled a few weeks before tasting. Another 2017 with big flavor and expressive fruit, this also has a fresh feel, reasonable concentration and a beautiful, long finish. It adds admirable mid-palate finesse too. It sometimes seems a bit lighter and fresher, but its utterly gorgeous fruit takes this to a different level. It looks like a super Meandro, one of the best, and a fine bargain. It should age well. $25 Our Price $19.95

Thread Feathers 2018 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

Notes from Winemaker Neil M Koch: This wine offers full-bodied intensity within a classic framework of red and black currant, cherry and cassis. Robustly built in tannin and well-integrated oak, it has earthy elements of cedar, sage and graphite, with a lasting note of mocha. Sourced from grapes from the Ashe Vineyard located just south of Oakville Crossroads. 275 cases produced. $75 Our Price $29.95 (Arrives 7/24/20)

Elena Walch Pinot Bianco 2018
Pinot Blanc from Alto Adige, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

Winemaker Notes: This Pinot Bianco presents itself in clear, bright straw yellow, with fruity aromas, fresh apple notes and a touch of herbs in the bouquet. In the mouth, the wine surprises with elegant, mineral depth, lively acidity and a fresh finish. An inviting aperitif wine and an ideal accompaniment for light dishes. $19 Our Price $15.99 (Arrives 7/22/20)

Wine Advocate 91
2017 Paul Hobbs Crossbarn
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

The 2017 Pinot Noir has a pale to medium ruby-purple color and inviting scents of pomegranate liqueur, crushed cranberries and Bing cherries with nuances of orange peel, potpourri and autumn leaves. Light to medium-bodied, it offers loads of bright, spicy fruits, with a gently grainy frame and seamless freshness, finishing long and bright. 12,632 cases produced. $37 Our Price $29.99 (Arrives 7/23/20)

Back in stock 7/22/20
2018 CAMPO VIEJO ROSÉ

Winemaker Notes: Pale in colour, but vibrant in taste, Campo Viejo Rose expresses the lovely aromas of cherry, citrus, strawberries and rose petals. It is perfect for capturing the moments of the Spanish summer with friends over BBQ with Spanish style salmon with chorizo, roasted vegetable salad with manchego and chicken pinxto. $13 Our Price $4.95 (Discounted 62%)

Wine Enthusiast 94 Points
2017 Venge Silencieux
Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

This hearty wine is blended with 4% Petit Verdot. Grippy, rich and viscous, it has intense fruit flavors of plum and cassis, with supple, integrated tannins. The whole is a testament to good grapes and great winemaking, blending together seven sites across the valley. $50 Our Price $38.99 (Back in stock) Last of Vintage-2018 will arrive soon.

Wine Spectator 91
CLIFF LEDE Sauvignon Blanc
Napa Valley 2018

Succulent peach, melon and citrus flavors reveal pretty details of spice and dried floral notes in this stylish white, with crisp acidity and a drizzle of honey on the finish. Drink now. 10,420 cases made. — MW $28 Internet Price $21.99 Grape Tray email subscriber price $18.95

Wine Advocate 93
2016 Paul Hobbs Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon reveals bombastic blackberry pie and blueberry compote notes with underlying cassis, dried herbs and unsmoked cigars scents plus a waft of pencil shavings. Full-bodied and jam-packed with black fruits and earthy layers, it has a solid, grainy frame and a long finish with a lively herbal lift. 6,576 cases produced. $125 Our Price $99.99 (Back in stock 7/23/20)

Wine Spectator 90
WindRacer Chardonnay Anderson Valley 2015

Lithe and spicy, with creamy accents to the apple pastry, pear tart and dried tropical fruit flavors. Long, rich finish. Drink now through 2020. 1,502 cases made. — KM $40 Internet Price $19.99 Grape Tray email subscriber price $15.95 (Back in stock 7/22/20)

Wine Advocate 94+
2016 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir
Katherine Lindsay Estate

Medium ruby-purple colored, the 2016 Pinot Noir Katherine Lindsay Estate is a little closed with notions of scorched earth, black soil, pepper and cumin over a core of redcurrants, black cherries and warm plums. Full-bodied, firm and with a grainy texture, this is a more structured Pinot, possessing many earth and spice layers and great length. 749 cases were made. $120

Wine Advocate 100
2016 Bond Vecina Proprietary Red

Vecina vineyard is located in the western foothills of Oakville, just to the south-east of the winery (up on Oakville Grade). Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Vecina slips sensuously out of the glass with gorgeous black cherries, kirsch, wild blueberries and blackcurrant pastilles notes plus suggestions of bouquet garni, pencil lead, tilled earth and underbrush. Full-bodied, taut and packed with ripe, expressive, exquisitely accented black and blue fruits, it has loads of earthy sparks and a compelling fine-grained nature to the firm texture, finishing long and layered. This bright, energetic, incredibly nuanced beauty is built like a brick house and, while approachable in youth, is easily a 50-year wine. I therefore urge readers to wait at least 5-7 years before opening to allow for the myriad of subtle nuances to emerge and offer that "WOW" experience that will reward patience. $775

Our door is open and a mask is required while in the store. Social distancing maintained.
If you prefer, orders can still be placed as follows:
Email stan@grapetray.com or call 559-226-6828
~Local orders: Email or call with your order and we will contact you when the order is ready for curbside pick-up
~Or, place your order using our website: grapetray.com


The Grape Tray 559-226-6828
www.grapetray.com


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