Taste 2019 Spottswoode Estate Cabernet at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Tuesday, December 6th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Advocate 100 Points
2019 Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 89.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Cabernet Franc and 4.0% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs of lot of swirling to unlock the most gorgeous perfume of bright black and red cherries, fresh blueberries and blackcurrant pastilles with hints of roses, cinnamon stick and orange peel. Medium-bodied, elegant and tightly wound, the palate shimmers with SO MUCH energy, featuring layer upon layer of floral, savory and crunchy black fruit notes, finishing long and minerally. This is a remarkably poised, seemingly effortless beauty that cannot fail to make your jaw drop. Forget it in the cellar for a good 3-5 years, at least, to allow all those nuances to fully emerge and then savor it over the next 30 years+. $245

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Taste Roederer Anderson Valley Estate Brut, 2019 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs and 2012 Andre Robert d’Auteur Brut at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Wednesday, December 7th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

James Suckling 94 Points
Roederer Anderson Valley Estate Brut

Extremely fresh and floral with sliced apples, stones and some white peach. Bread dough, too. Fine bead. Medium to full body with crisp acidity and a steely finish. Hints of phenolics provide a fine texture. Vibrant acidity. About 15% reserve wine (mostly chardonnay) in this, from five vintages. 2.5 years on the lees. 60% chardonnay and 40% pinot noir. Drink or hold. $22

Connoisseurs’ Guide 93 Points
2019 SCHRAMSBERG Blanc de Blancs North Coast

Here is a wine that finds an extra bit of richness and hints of aged nuttiness for extra complexity in its aromas and follows them up on the palate with a full, foamy, insistent and creamy mousse and stony, crisp, lively flavors. On the one hand, it comes with layers belying its youth, while, on the other, it is bright, full of life and inviting on that score alone. It hits all of the right marks smartly and is highly recommended to those, who like us, like to keep a few bottles of very good Blanc de Blancs that is not extravagantly priced on hand in the cellar at all times. $42

Wine Advocate 94 Points
2012 Champagne André Robert
Brut Collection d'Auteur

Disgorged in September 2020 with three grams per liter dosage, the 2012 Brut Collection d'Auteur is deep and vinous, unwinding in the glass with notes of pear, white flowers and freshly braked bread mingled with subtle hints of citrus zest and bee pollen. Full-bodied, elegantly muscular and seamless, with a deep and concentrated core, bright acids and a pretty pinpoint mousse, it's a seamless, understated blanc de blanc derived from holdings in prime lieux-dits Les Vaucherots, Les Coullemets du Midi, Les Finciarts and Les Chétillons. $145

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Taste 2019 Dehlinger Goldridge Russian River Pinot and 2019 Law Estate Beguiling Grenache at (VRW) for $10 per person.
Thursday, December 8th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

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

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points
2019 Law Estate Wines Beguiling

More Grenache-dominated, the 2019 Beguiling is based on 88% Grenache and 12% Syrah. Aged 19 months in a mix of French oak and concrete, it has a terrific perfume of candied strawberries, blackberries, violets, cracked pepper, and new leather. This carries to a full-bodied Grenache with plenty of savory tannins, a seamless, elegant texture, flawless balance, and a great finish. $85

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The distributor received an additional 97 cases from another state. We will have the 2015 Nielson SMV Pinot back in stock on Wednesday.

2015 Nielson Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: The wine shows aromas of blackberries, rose petals, dried herbs, and earth. Flavors are driven by a dark fruit core, complemented by sandalwood, black pepper, and crushed stone. $20 Internet Price $13.99. GT and VRW Insider Price $8.95 (Back in stock GT 12/7/22)

Jeb Dunnuck 90-92 Points
2020 Chateau De Beaucastel Cotes Du Rhone Coudoulet De Beaucastel

A year-in, year-out winner, the 2020 Côtes Du Rhône Coudoulet De Beaucastel offers outstanding quality as well as classic notes of darker fruits, roasted herbs, truffly earth, and some meaty, peppery, gamey nuances. With wonderful purity of fruit, ripe tannins, and a balanced, elegant mouthfeel, it will have over a decade of longevity. $30 Our Price $26.99 (Back in stock GT 12/7/22)

Connoisseurs’ Guide 93 Points
2019 SCHRAMSBERG Blanc de Blancs North Coast

Here is a wine that finds an extra bit of richness and hints of aged nuttiness for extra complexity in its aromas and follows them up on the palate with a full, foamy, insistent and creamy mousse and stony, crisp, lively flavors. On the one hand, it comes with layers belying its youth, while, on the other, it is bright, full of life and inviting on that score alone. It hits all of the right marks smartly and is highly recommended to those, who like us, like to keep a few bottles of very good Blanc de Blancs that is not extravagantly priced on hand in the cellar at all times. $42.00 Our Price $34.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 95 Points
CLOS ST.-JEAN Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2020

Leads with warm ganache and fig bread notes, followed quickly by raspberry reduction accents that take some time to unwind. Showcases plum pâte de fruit, sanguine and black licorice notes, with a flicker of Turkish coffee underscoring the finish and giving this a decidedly dark profile in the end. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Vaccarèse and Muscardin. Best from 2024 through 2038. —J.M. $65 Our Price $48.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 97 Points
Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder 2018

This distinctive version leads with pine forest, sweet bay leaf and savory notes, with a core of steeped currant and bitter plum fruit, plus ample tobacco and warm stone notes in the background. The finish is chiseled in feel, with racy acidity taking just as prominent of a role as tannic grip. With range, character and energy to spare, this should cruise in the cellar. Best from 2025 through 2045. 2,650 cases made. $150 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

Jeb Dunnuck 97+ Points
2017 Mount Eden Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

A brilliant, youthful, unevolved wine that will give Ridge's Monte Bello a run for its money, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon reveals a deep ruby/purple hue to go with a wonderful perfume of blackcurrants, blueberries, lead pencil, vanilla bean, exotic flowers, tobacco, and bouquet garni. Needing plenty of air to show at its best, it's medium to full-bodied on the palate and has a concentrated, powerful style, ripe tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot and Malbec, aged in used French and American oak, it's going to benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age and, I suspect, have 30-40 years of overall longevity. $110 (Arrives GT 12/7/22)

Wine Spectator 92 Points
Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Riesling Spätlese Mosel Wehlener Sonnenuhr 2019

A touch of petrol leads off, backed by peach, apricot and orange cream flavors. Rich and sumptuous, with a beam of vibrant acidity cutting through and defining the finish. Best from 2024 through 2040. 200 cases made, 112 cases imported. $28 Our Price $24.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 Points
2020 Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape

The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape was scheduled to be bottled the week after this tasting, and it's the usual blend of 35% Mourvedre, 25% Grenache, and the rest Syrah, Counoise, and other permitted varieties. While the estate compares this to their 2016, it reminds me slightly of their 1990 and has a wonderful perfume of red, blue, and black fruits, as well as sappy garrigue, saddle leather, and ground pepper. It's beautifully textured, medium to full-bodied, has a good sense of freshness, and fine tannins, as well as a tight, focused style on the palate that bodes well for longevity. It deserves 7-8 years of bottle age and should be long-lived. $105 Our Price $89.99 (Arrives GT 12/7/22) Limited

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Taste 2019 Alma de Cattleya Sonoma County Red, 2020 Faust Napa Cabernet and 2019 Hourglass Blueline Napa Cabernet at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, December 9th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points
2019 Alma de Cattleya Sonoma County Red Blend

Lots of ripe blackberries, peppery herbs, and assorted meaty notes emerge from the deep purple 2019 Red Wine, which offers medium to full body, a kiss of iron and minerality on the palate, ripe tannins, and a great finish. This is one heck of a delicious, textured red to enjoy over the coming 4-6 years or so. $27

James Sucking 93 Points
2020 Faust Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Aromas of tobacco, currants and iodine. Crushed oyster. Medium- to full-bodied with chewy tannins with spice, bark, and wet earth character. Fresh. Drink or hold. $60

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
2019 Hourglass Blueline Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2019 Blueline Cabernet Sauvignon is another stunning wine in the lineup. Revealing a deep purple hue as well as beautiful cassis and blue-tinged fruits, it has lots of violet and lead pencil notes, medium to full body, perfect balance, and incredible tannins. A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Merlot, it's going to deliver the goods for upwards of two decades. $150

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Taste 2021 Fess Parker Sta. Rita Hills Pinot, 2021 Hartford Court Russian River Pinot and 2016 Eisele Altagracia Cabernet at (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, December 10th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

2021 Fess Parker Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir Winemaker Notes: This hand crafted wine represents the best of what Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir has to offer. Bursting with flavors of spice, cranberry, light blueberry and strawberry, it displays great balance and a lingering finish. 47% Rio Vista Vineyard, 25% Ashley’s, 14% Parker West Vineyard, 14% Sanford & Benedict Vineyard. $35

2021 Hartford Court Russian River Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: Aromas of black cherry, blueberry, black currant, allspice and loam are followed by flavors of wild raspberries, dark berries and a crushed rock minerality. The dense entry is followed by a sweet and juicy mouth feel, supported by acidity, silky tannins and a subtle earthy finish. $40

Wine Advocate 95 Points
2016 Eisele Vineyard Altagracia Cabernet Sauvignon

The Altagracia is produced almost exclusively from estate fruit this year and was bottled at the end of June 2018. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Altagracia comes bursting forth with vivacious black cherries, blackberries, wild blueberries and cassis notes with touches of cinnamon stick, cloves, forest floor, violets and dusty earth with a waft of violets. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm and grainy with loads of iron and mineral accents, finishing long and perfumed. $135

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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