Taste 2019 Silenus Tyros Napa Cabernet and 2018 Spottswoode Estate Cabernet at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Tuesday, August 9th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 91 Points
SILENUS Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Tyros 2019

Juicy and ripe, but on a modest scale, allowing cassis and blackberry notes to hold sway without undue effort over a backdrop of loam, singed vanilla and tobacco. Drink now through 2030. 2,000 cases made.—J.M. $38 Internet Price $26.95

Wine Advocate 100
2018 Spottswoode Estate Cabernet

Composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from Spottswoode explodes from the glass with bombastic notes of crushed blackcurrants, fresh blackberries and wild blueberries with hints of cardamom, lilacs, incense and fragrant earth, leading into wafts of pencil shavings and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, elegant and yet so, so intense, it has layers of bright crunchy fruit and mineral sparks galore, framed by exquisitely ripe, finely pixelated tannins, finishing very long and energetic. Wowsers. $235

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Taste 2019 Spottswoode Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon and 2018 Mending Wall Tournahu Cabernet Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Wednesday, August 10th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Advocate 93 Points
2019 Spottswoode Lyndenhurst Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst is composed of 77.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.4% Cabernet Franc, 4.1% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot and 3.8% Malbec. Deep garnet-purple in color, it skips out of the glass with lively blueberries, redcurrants and kirsch scents, plus hints of cedar chest, fragrant earth and rose hip tea. Medium-bodied, elegant and lively in the mouth, the palate is chock-full of bright and crunchy red and black fruits, finishing long and earthy. $90

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
2018 Mending Wall Tournahu Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2018 Mending Wall Tournahu jumps out of the glass upon first swirl, with a substantial amount of pure fruit. This wine brings depth and complexity through the begging middle and end stages of the pallet. This 2018 shows as a full-bodied red with great Tobacco and herbal undertones, which complement the natural tannin and minerality in this wine. A wine that is ready to drink now, with the backbone to carry it through bottle aging. Single Vineyard Cabernet. $126

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Taste 2018 Byron Nielson Chardonnay, 2019 Mayacamas Mt Veeder Chardonnay and 2019 Pont Neuf Pont Royal Russian River Chardonnay at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, August 11th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Decanter 92 Points
2018 Byron Nielson Vineyard Chardonnay

Slightly restrained nose with nice stone fruit and floral character underneath. Light lemon sherbet notes with toasted pineapple on the palate, pleasingly dry and youthful finish. $30 Our Price $21.99

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 94 Points
2019 Mayacamas Mt Veeder Chardonnay

The 2019 Chardonnay is fabulous. Next to the 2018 in this tasting, it has more resonance and overall depth. Power, depth and energy all come together in this beautifully layered, expressive Chardonnay. Lemon oil, almond, chamomile and dried flowers fill out the layers effortlessly. The 2019 is such a gorgeous wine. $50

2019 Pont Neuf Pont Royal Russian River Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: The 2019 Pont Royal reveals a brilliant clarity both in appearance and focused flavors. Consistent vineyard characters show in the forward citrus, fresh peach, custard and honied beeswax, hallmark traits of this vineyard. The texture is crisp, with a satisfying texture and great persistence of flavors. Pont Royal is a chameleon; one moment floral and lilting, bold, rich and deep the next. French oak takes a back seat to the fruit, adding nuanced aromas of toasted brioche and fine structure to the wine. We employed 80% new oak from the Vosges forest, aged 4 years, contributing the delicate toast and vanilla aromas and playing perfectly with bright citrus fruit. Barrel-fermented, aged on the lees and bottled un-fined and unfiltered, this natural fermentation showcases the vineyard and the vintage. 90 cases produced. $65

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Wine Spectator 93 Points
RUINART Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne NV

Steeped apricot and candied ginger flavors are an aromatic entry for this graceful Champagne, backed by finely cut acidity and layered with accents of kumquat, toast point and salted Marcona almond. It's fresh and racy, yet there's an effortless quality to the integration that makes this hard to stop sipping. Long, minerally finish. Drink now through 2027. — AN Internet Price $70 (Available GT and VRW)

DAISHICHI MINOWAMON JUNMAI DAIGINJO SAKE

Producer Notes: Daishichi Minowamois a junmai daiginjo made with the kimoto method, using Yamada Nishiki sake rice polished with the superflat rice polishing technique. We have succeeded in eliminating all off-flavors that in the past remained even in rice for daiginjo, and realized an unprecedented gentle, mellow texture of remarkable delicacy, and a natural, elegant aroma. $70/720ml. Our Price $49.99 (Arrives GT 8/11/22)

Wine Spectator 90 Points
LUCY Rosé Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 2021

A lovely blush, crisp yet richly fruity version, with floral raspberry and peach flavors that linger. Drink now. 2,527 cases made. From California.—T.F. $22 Our Price $18.99 (Back in stock GT)

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2016 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Distinctions

First released in 2014 and made with the idea to highlight richness and opulence, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Distinctions includes slightly more valley floor fruit compared to the Knights Valley Reserve and offers a forward, sexy, incredibly satisfying style as well as lots of blackcurrant fruit, ripe tannins, and impeccable balance. Despite the richer, more forward style, it’s going to evolve just fine on its balance and concentration. $49 Internet Price $41.95 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Enthusiast 96 Points
2019 Dehlinger Goldridge Russian River Pinot Noir

Juicy layers of berry and cherry are met by spicy acidity in this deliciously well-made, structured and highly enjoyable wine, grown in the plentiful, generous soils for which it is named. Dusty texture provides a grip that takes on a stone-like minerality and pleasing complexity. $60 (Arrives GT 8/10/22)

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 93 Points
2017 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Altamont

The 2017 Pinot Noir Altamont is a wine of real breadth. Dark cherry, plum, lavender, spice and hard candy all flesh out in the glass. Rich, plush and enveloping, the Altamont captures all of the natural intensity of the year. A touch of stems adds character, but is not especially evident. $54 (Back in stock GT and VRW 8/10/22)

Wine Spectator 90 Points
ROMBAUER Sauvignon Blanc Napa-Sonoma Counties 2021

Crisp, clean and bursting with intensity to the Bartlett pear, lime sorbet and fresh ginger flavors, with lingering details of lemon blossom and orange zest. Drink now. 30,632 cases made.—M.W. $26. Our Price $22.99 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

New Vintage! 2021 Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: Ripe peach, citrus fruits, spice, and pie crust aromas all mingle and lift from the glass. The citrus, supported by notes of apricot, continues on the palate which is concentrated with a rich, creamy middle palate, and strong supporting acidity. The finish is long and marked with hints of vanilla. This wine will continue to build richness as it ages in the bottle. $40 Internet Price $36.99 (Available GT and VRW)

James Suckling 93 Points
2017 Mauro Molino Barolo

Lots of white truffle, ripe strawberry and some watermelon on the nose, following through to a full body with round, chewy tannins and a beautiful, creamy-textured finish from the ripe tannins. Drink in 2023 and onwards. $45 Our Price $37.99 (Back in stock GT)

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Taste 2021 Ghost Block MorgaenLee Sauvignon Blanc, 2019 Marietta Arme Cabernet and 2019 Detert Oakville Cabernet at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, August 12th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2021 Ghost Block MorgaenLee Yountville Sauvignon Blanc

Winemaker Notes: Beautiful aromatics of grapefruit and white peach jump from the glass followed by subtle tropical fruit notes of guava and papaya. Upon entry, the wine is smooth and rich and fills out mid-palate with the weight of the Semillon and sur lies aging, then evolves into bright acidity with undertones of white grapefruit and lemon zest creating a clean and silky finish. $25

Wine Advocate 94 Points
2019 Marietta Armé Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2019 Armé Cabernet Sauvignon has a medium ruby-purple color and layered aromas of red and black currants, violet, iron, underbrush and mushrooms. The medium-bodied palate is pleasantly rustic and a touch chewy, with bright acidity, pretty floral perfume and an earth-laced finish. $35 Our Price $26.95

Wine Spectator 94 Points
DETERT Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 2019

Purely rendered, with a gorgeous beam of cassis and plum fruit driving from start to finish. Features flashes of violet, anise and black tea as well as an underpinning of warm earth, all allied to nicely coiled energy. The beautiful fruit takes a two-song encore as a final statement. Best from 2023 through 2036. —J.M. $100

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Taste 2017 Dehlinger Altamont Pinot Noir, 2016 Beringer Distinctions Napa Cabernet and 2018 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet at (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, August 13th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 93 Points
2017 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Altamont

The 2017 Pinot Noir Altamont is a wine of real breadth. Dark cherry, plum, lavender, spice and hard candy all flesh out in the glass. Rich, plush and enveloping, the Altamont captures all of the natural intensity of the year. A touch of stems adds character, but is not especially evident. $54 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2016 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Distinctions

First released in 2014 and made with the idea to highlight richness and opulence, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Distinctions includes slightly more valley floor fruit compared to the Knights Valley Reserve and offers a forward, sexy, incredibly satisfying style as well as lots of blackcurrant fruit, ripe tannins, and impeccable balance. Despite the richer, more forward style, it’s going to evolve just fine on its balance and concentration. $49

2018 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Ruby in color, the Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has notes of cassis, caramel, juniper and pomegranate. Lifted and vibrant on the nose, this wine is fresh on the palate with a juicy, fruit-forward core. Its silky mouthfeel will provide drinking pleasure through 2044 given proper cellaring conditions. 94.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4.2% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Internet Price $90

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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 12:00 Noon-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