On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

2020 Sea Smoke Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: An elegant Chardonnay with aromas of Meyer lemon zest, fresh cut melon and honeycomb. The nose is complemented by mandarin and a slight nuttiness in the focused mid-palate and the refreshing cool climate acidity of our estate vineyard. CA Market Price $90-$150

Wine Advocate 98 Points * 2019 Daou Patrimony Adelaida District Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2019 Patrimony Cabernet Sauvignon was made with free-run juice and matured for 30 months in 100% new French oak. It has a deep ruby color and alluring tones of truffle, brown sugar and coffee to begin, opening with time to very pure cassis, boysenberry, tobacco, garrigue and aniseed. The palate is supple and fresh with surprisingly restrained, mineral-laced fruits and a fan of spicy accents across the long finish. This ultra sleek, elegant Cabernet evolves continually in the glass and has the harmonious structure it needs to go the distance in the cellar. $300

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Taste 2022 Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc, 2021 Three by Wade Chenin Blanc and 2021 Eisele Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Tuesday, May 23rd. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 93 * Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2022

Aromatic, with terrific precision to the herbal details of white pepper, grapefruit, lemongrass and fresh-grated ginger. Packs a core of mouthwatering Meyer lemon, ruby grapefruit and green apple flavors that show a thread of savory salinity, with an intense, fresh finish. Drink now. 100,000 cases made, 70,000 cases imported. $20

2021 Three by Wade Blanc Chenin Blanc

Winemaker Notes: Our Chenin Blanc has a beautiful pale golden hue. On the nose there are fresh citrus and slightly tropical notes like lemon and even pineapple. On the palate there is crisp green apple that’s complemented by mouthwatering acid up front with a rich body on the mid palate that rounds everything out. Our 2021 vintage is a thirst-quenching wine to drink now or could be cellared for the next 1-3 years. $20

2021 Eisele Vineyard Napa Sauvignon Blanc

Winemaker Notes: The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc emerges from the glass with scents of white musk, wild white peaches, guava and candied lemon. A swirl or two reveal fragrances of warm bread, vanilla, and cardamom, laced with mineral notes of wet pebbles and basil leaf. The mouthfeel is supple, round, and silky with a structure that extends the wine into a long creamy finish, lingering on verbena. Maturation in large oak vessels (French and Austrian foudres) has enhanced the journey of this wine, resulting in perhaps the most accomplished Sauvignon Blanc produced at Eisele Vineyard. $125

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Taste Chardonnay: 2021 Lumen Santa Maria Valley, 2020 Sandhi Sanford and Benedict Sta. Rita Hills and 2021 Pahlmeyer Napa at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Wednesday, May 24th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2021 LUMEN CHARDONNAY SANTA MARIA VALLEY

Tasting Notes: Nose: Bartlett pear, ripe peach, fresh red apple, succulent, spring rain and fennel. Palate: The thin line between the old world and new world. Fresh as the morning dew yet everything that California promises in Chardonnay and rarely delivers…this one does. -A.A. 680 cases produced. Drink now through 2030. $40

Vinous 95 Points
2020 Sandhi Sanford & Benedict Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

The 2020 Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict is a pretty powerful wine, especially from this section of the ranch planted on own rooted vines dating back to 1971. Deep and phenolic, with tremendous intensity, the 2020 is impressive right out of the gate. The purity of the fruit is just striking. Tangerine oil, honey, chamomile, mint and dried flowers lend resonance throughout, making for a totally unique Chardonnay. $52

James Suckling 98 Points
2021 Pahlmeyer Napa Chardonnay

Sliced cooked apples with biscuit and pie crust undertones, as well as hints of spices with some salted caramel. Hints of apricot. Full-bodied with a firmness and depth. Creamy-textured phenolics and great length. One of the best I have tasted. It is rich and flavorful, yet it shows great depth and length. Drinkable, but better in two or three years. $115

Additional Scores: Wine Spectator 94 and Wine Advocate 95

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Taste Pinot Noir: 2021 Flowers Sonoma Coast, 2021 EVENING LAND Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Seven Springs and 2021 Kistler Russian River at VRW for $15 per person.
Thursday, May 25th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 93 Points
FLOWERS Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2021

This has racy, mouthwatering acidity coursing underneath the core notes of mulberry, bitter cherry and blackberry. Shows the streamlined tang of a coulis, while offering a range of additional bramble, anise and savory tea details through the finish. Delicious. Drink now through 2029. —J.M. $55.

Wine Spectator 94 Points
EVENING LAND Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Seven Springs 2021

A lovely, delicate Pinot, with aromas of fresh violet opening to elegantly multilayered raspberry, guava and forest floor accents, which glide on the graceful finish. Drink now through 2031. 3,388 cases made. —Tim Fish. $45

2021 Kistler Russian River Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: Offers a complex bouquet of red currants, smoked earth, ground pepper, and exotic floral and rosehip notes. Rich, medium-bodied, and seamless on the palate. $80

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Wine Advocate 93 Points
2021 Tablas Creek Patelin Rouge

Medium ruby in color, the 2021 Patelin de Tablas is a blend of 43% Syrah, 28% Grenache, 23% Mourvèdre and 6% Counoise. It has inviting aromas of blood orange, raspberry and pomegranate with touches of tar and forest floor. The medium-bodied palate is chalky and fresh with a concentrated core of crunchy fruit and a long, floral finish. Best After 2023. $23 (Arrives GT 5/24/23)

Wine Spectator 91 Points
GIRARD Chardonnay Carneros 2019

Elegant and supple, with a touch of salted butter adding richness to the flavors of mango puree, peach and lemon meringue at the generous core. Drink now. 3,000 cases made.—MaryAnn Worobiec. $19 Liquidation Price $15.95 (Limited to stock on hand at GT)

Wine Spectator 95 Points
Raen Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Royal St. Robert Cuvée 2021

Beautifully defined, with pinpoint damson plum, mulberry and blood orange notes stretched out over a frame of rooibos tea and savory accents. Mouthwatering through the lengthy, unadorned finish, which relies on tension and purity. Drink now through 2032. 2,075 cases made. $65 Our Price $62.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
2019 Merus Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

A killer bottle of Napa Valley magic, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from Merus is 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot. It’s a powerful, full-bodied, uber-ripe beauty that stays lively and balanced, with beautiful blue fruits, as well as smoked tobacco, chocolate, and scored earth-like aromas and flavors. A beast of a wine with a great mid-palate and velvety tannins, it should shed its considerable baby fat over the coming 4-6 years and have two decades of overall longevity. $180. Internet Price $154.99 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

Vinous 95 Points
2020 Sandhi Sanford & Benedict Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

The 2020 Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict is a pretty powerful wine, especially from this section of the ranch planted on own rooted vines dating back to 1971. Deep and phenolic, with tremendous intensity, the 2020 is impressive right out of the gate. The purity of the fruit is just striking. Tangerine oil, honey, chamomile, mint and dried flowers lend resonance throughout, making for a totally unique Chardonnay. $52 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 94
LUCIA Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands Estate Cuvée 2021

A stunning white, succulent and juicy, like biting into a perfectly ripe Bosc pear, with details of apple, mango, peach and dried apricot that add complexity, while grace notes of salted butter, honeysuckle, lanolin and spices linger on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2030. —M.W. $50 (Available GT)

Wine Spectator 94 Points
Evening Land Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Seven Springs 2021

A lovely, delicate Pinot, with aromas of fresh violet opening to elegantly multilayered raspberry, guava and forest floor accents, which glide on the graceful finish. Drink now through 2031. 3,388 cases made. $45 Our Price $39.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Advocate 94+
2019 Cade Howell Mt Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2019 Cade Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is blended of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. Deep garnet-purple in color, it charges out of the glass with vibrant black cherry preserves, wild blueberries and mulberries scents, giving way to a core of cassis and star anise plus a waft of chocolate box. Full-bodied, concentrated and packed with bright black fruits, it has a fine-grained texture and long, energetic finish. $129

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Taste 2021 The Calling Dutton Ranch Russian River Chardonnay, 2019 Lancaster Winemaker’s Cuvee Cabernet and 2019 Merus Napa Cabernet at (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, May 26th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 92 Points
The Calling Chardonnay Russian River Valley Dutton Ranch 2021

Generous and expressive, with heavy juicy tangerine, lemon curd and Honeycrisp apple flavors that sing out on a mouthwatering frame, while hints of lemon verbena, ginger, citrus zest and green tea emerge on the finish. Drink now. 9,300 cases made. $33

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points
2019 Lancaster Winemakers Cuvee Cabernet

The 2019 Winemaker's Cuvee is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 5% Malbec, and the rest Cabernet Franc and was aged for 15 months in 50% new French oak. It is rich with aromas of lavender, tobacco, and boysenberry compote and delivers ripe fruit through the mid-palate, with notes of blackcurrant, leather, and baking spice. This red has immediate appeal, but it will continue to evolve over the next 10 or more years. $105

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
2019 Merus Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

A killer bottle of Napa Valley magic, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from Merus is 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot. It’s a powerful, full-bodied, uber-ripe beauty that stays lively and balanced, with beautiful blue fruits, as well as smoked tobacco, chocolate, and scored earth-like aromas and flavors. A beast of a wine with a great mid-palate and velvety tannins, it should shed its considerable baby fat over the coming 4-6 years and have two decades of overall longevity. $180

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Taste 2021 Clos Sainte Magdeleine Cotes de Provence Rose, 2021 Raen Sonoma Coast Royal St. Robert Cuvee Pinot and 2019 Hourglass Blueline Napa Cabernet at (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, May 27th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

2021 Clos Sainte Magdeleine Cotes de Provence Rose

Producer Notes: Using a similar blend to the Cassis rosé, Sack has crafted what is perhaps the quintessential Provençal refresher—an uplifting nectar of bright citrus, fresh berry fruit, wild herbs, and salty sea air—that is a far cry from the countless technological, mass-marketed examples in production throughout the region. $32

Wine Spectator 95 Points
Raen Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Royal St. Robert Cuvée 2021

Beautifully defined, with pinpoint damson plum, mulberry and blood orange notes stretched out over a frame of rooibos tea and savory accents. Mouthwatering through the lengthy, unadorned finish, which relies on tension and purity. Drink now through 2032. 2,075 cases made. $65

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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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
Tuesday-Friday 10:30 AM-5:30 PM
Saturday 10:30 AM-4:00 PM