Prosper Maufoux Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2019

Winemaker Notes: Ruby in color with purple tints. Surprisingly opulent with explosive aromas of fresh fruits like raspberry, black currant and red berry. Perfect balance between freshness and fruitiness. $20 Our Price $17.49 (Available GT)

Arriving this afternoon:
2019 Venge Silencieux
2019 Teeter Totter Napa Cab
2019 Biale Party Line Zinfandel

Campo Viejo Cava Brut Rose

Winemaker Notes: A bright sparkling pink color. Pleasant and powerful on the nose with a strong presence of ripe red berries. Round and full on the palate. $10 Our Price $7.95 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Advocate 95 Points
2018 Walter Hansel Pinot Noir South Slope

Medium ruby-purple, the 2018 Pinot Noir South Slope has gorgeous aromas of blood orange, cracked pepper, cranberries and red and black cherries loaded with earthy, amaro-like nuances. The medium-bodied palate is silky, fresh and uplifted, its concentrated fruits refreshed by loads of spicy accents, and it finishes long and detailed. 1,083 cases produced. $45 (Available GT and VRW)

2019 Duckhorn Napa Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: This alluring wine displays aromas of yellow peach, lemon cream, pear and mango, along with French oak-inspired notes of brioche, sweet baking spices and crème brûlée. The luxurious peach and pear notes are echoed on the silky palate, where they mingle with layers of lush nectarine apricot, clove, and lemongrass, with graceful underlying acidity carrying the wine to a long resonant finish. $30 Our Price $25.65 (Available GT)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
FRÉDÉRIC ESMONIN Gevrey-Chambertin Lavaux St.-Jacques 2018

Well-defined aromas and flavors of strawberry, cherry, rose and stone are the hallmarks of this expressive red. It firms up nicely, yet remains poised and sophisticated, with fruit, tobacco and iron accents lingering on the finish. Best from 2024 through 2042. 100 cases imported. — BS $85 Our Price $73.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
RIDGE Zinfandel Paso Robles 2019

Sleek and multilayered, with dynamic yet elegant raspberry, grilled fennel and cracked pepper flavors that build structure and richness on the long finish. 4,300 cases made. Drink now through 2030. —T.F. $35 Internet Price $31.99 (Available GT)

2018 Duckhorn Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: The exceptional 2018 growing season produced a stunning expression of Napa Valley Cabernet, with alluring aromas of black Mission fig, black raspberry, and chocolate, as well as notes of sage, cardamom, crème brûlée, and anise. On the palate, flavors of elderberry, plum, blueberry, red licorice, and violet glide across silky tannins, with bright, balanced acidity contributing to a long, focused finish. $70 Our Price $62.99 (Available GT)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
2019 Ridge Geyserville Alexander Valley

Deeply structured, yet nimble on its feet. Blackberry, fresh fennel and brown baking spices build richness and layers toward medium-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Carignane, Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouschet. Drink now through 2030. 11,000 cases made. — TF $45 Our Price $37.99 (Available GT and VRW)

2018 Duckhorn Napa Merlot

Winemaker Notes: From its tempting aromas of ripe cherry and black raspberry to its sweet, dusty tannins and supple texture, this a lush and expansive expression of Napa Valley Merlot. Luxurious flavors of black plum, rhubarb crumble and chocolate-covered raspberry mingle with hints of graphite and clove on the long, vibrant finish. $52 Our Price $44.99 (Available GT)

2017 Dry Creek Winery
Cabernet Sauvignon, Half Bottle

Winemaker Notes: This impeccable Cabernet Sauvignon initially displays lively aromatics of black cherry, blackcurrant, and dried cranberry. Additional airing reveals nuances of dried flowers, nutmeg, white pepper, and cedar. The palate is full-bodied and rich with elegant flavors of ripe raspberry, blackcurrant, and fresh boysenberry with notes of cocoa powder, bay leaf, sage, and sweet pipe tobacco. The wine is complex and youthful, with bright fruit characters and vibrant spice. It offers intensity and richness and reflects the terroir of Dry Creek Valley beautifully. Blend: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15%Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot. $16/375ml. Our Price $12.99/375ml (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Advocate 92 Points
2019 Turley Juvenile Zinfandel

The 2019 Zinfandel Juvenile has a medium ruby color and aromas of earth-laced red and black berries. The palate is soft and alluring with a wealth of ripe fruit and juicy acidity, and it finishes long and uplifted. It's a very approachable style this vintage. 15,670 cases produced. $26 (Back in stock VRW this afternoon)

James Suckling 99 Points
2018 Phelps Insignia Proprietary Red

Blackberry and black chocolate with mint, conifer and clove. Sweet tobacco, violets and flowers, too. Some graphite. Cool and complex. Full-bodied with ultra fine, dusty tannins and a wonderful, extremely long finish. Savory and refined. A classic-styled 2018. This needs time, but is so approachable and gorgeous. One of the best Insignias ever. Alive and changing all the time. 40% Stags Leap AVA. 87% cabernet sauvignon, 8% petit verdot, 3% malbec and 2% cabernet franc. Leave this for five or six years, but so wonderful now. $315 Internet Price $274.95 Pre-Arrival offer (Arrives 9/1/21)

Additional Scores: WA 97 points and JD 97 points

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Friday Wine Tasting at VRW $15 per person (Indoor seating for 30 people) Must be 21 or older to attend.

(Time change for tasting: 3:30 PM-6:00 PM)

Friday Tasting, 8/6/21 (3:30 PM-6:00 PM): 2016 Galerie Pleinair Cabernet, 2017 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet and 2018 Bevan Ontogeny

Saturday Wine Tasting at VRW $15 per person (Indoor seating for 30 people) Must be 21 or older to attend.

Saturday Tasting, 8/7/21 (1:00 PM-3:30 PM): Henriot Brut Rose, 2016 The Paring Red, 2018 Stewart Napa Cabernet and 2018 Shafer One Point Five Stag’s Leap Cabernet.

Wine Spectator 91 Points
Henriot Brut Rose, Magnum

Apple blossom and graphite notes are an aromatic entry for this mouthwatering rosé Champagne, which features a creamy mousse and a well-knit range of white peach, licorice, sun-dried cherry and chalk flavors. Drink now through 2021. $165/magnum

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points
2016 The Paring Red

The 2016 Red Wine checks in as a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot, and 10% Petit Verdot. Brilliant notes of cassis, tobacco leaf, damp earth, cedary herbs, and graphite all emerge from this concentrated, remarkably pure, elegant Bordeaux blend hat has building tannins and a great, great finish. It tastes like it costs three times the price. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20%, Merlot, 20%, Cabernet Franc & 10%, Petit Verdot. Internet Price $25

Wine Spectator 92 Points
STEWART Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2018

This red has a nicely polished and ripe feel, with cassis and plum preserve flavors gilded lightly with vanilla and backed by subtle tobacco, dark licorice and warm earth accents. Gains a darker, deeper feel through the finish, giving it some sneaky length. Drink now through 2029. 1,500 cases made. — JM $60

Wine Spectator 94 Points
SHAFER Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District One Point Five 2018

Quite lush in feel, with creamy waves of plum sauce, melted black licorice, açaí berry reduction and sweet toast rolling through, laced with subtle alder and bay leaf notes and ending with a sanguine hint amid the fruit. The buried structure will carry this in the cellar as well. Drink now through 2032. —J.M. $98

Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW)
1552 E. Champlain Drive, Ste 109 Fresno, CA 93720 Via Montana Center (NE Corner Shepherd and Champlain-Two doors south of Big 5) www.vintagereserve.biz 559-878-3953
Tuesday-Friday 1:00-6:00 PM
Saturday 12 Noon-4:00 PM

The Grape Tray (GT)
6023 N. Palm Avenue Fresno, CA 93704
Opus One Center (NW Corner Bullard and Palm)
www.grapetray.com 559-226-6828
Monday-Friday 10:30 AM-5:30 PM
Saturday 10:30 AM-4:00 PM