On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Wine Advocate 95 Points
2021 M by McPrice Myers Cabernet Sauvignon

I love this easy-to-drink 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from McPrice Myers that well overdelivers for its price. Deep ruby-purple, it has alluring aromas of cassis, pencil shavings, dried herbs, leather and lavender, plus classy touches of oak spice. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and powerful without going over the top. It has abundant, grainy tannins, flinty streaks and plenty of refreshing acidity to carry the long finish. It's not your average chocolate bomb California Cabernet, despite its modest price tag. It should be easy to find, with 12,000 cases produced. $35

2021 Schrader Double Diamond Proprietary Red

Winemaker Notes: The inaugural release of the 2021 Proprietary Red Wine upholds the level of excellence expected from winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. It expresses a fragrant perfume of ripe red cherry, blueberry, and pomegranate, mingled with bell pepper, iron, and vanilla bean. On the palate, generous red and blue fruits are complemented by blackberry compote, dark chocolate, and espresso. The wine has silky tannins, food-friendly acidity, and a lingering finish. It is ready to drink upon release but will cellar well for years to come. $90

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Taste Syrah: 2020 Unknown Brother Santa Barbara, 2020 Alban Patrina and 2022 Tensley Colson Canyon at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, October 5th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2020 Unknown Brother Santa Barbara Syrah

Winemaker Notes: The wine opens with a bouquet of lavender, wild blueberries, camphor oil, and bergamont. On the palate it is fresh and savory, with black cherry, Herbs de provence, melted licorice, and white pepper. Unique to this vintage are the spice notes of cardamon, cinnamon stick, graham cracker crust, and cloves that add depth and complexity. We held onto this vintage a little longerin bottle to allow all the components to mesh together. The wine gets better with air, so decanting is highly recommended. $60

2020 Alban Patrina Syrah

Notes from John Alban: This wine is among my favorites for this offering yet produced. It is dark, full of black and blue berries, coco powder, and immediately pleasing and pure. It is, in our opinion, a wonderful and delicious expression of our farm and farming. $60

Jeb Dunnuck 96-98 Points
2022 Tensley Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard

The 2022 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard ratchets up the intensity and has a saturated purple hue as well as a killer nose of ripe black and blue fruits, graphite, ground pepper, and crushed stone-like minerality. Rich, concentrated, and powerful, it shines for its purity, has building tannins, and a great finish. $50

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2021 J Vineyards Monterey-Sonoma-Santa Barbara Counties Pinot Noir

A firm and savory pinot with dried strawberry and dark cherry aromas and flavors with hints of chocolate and nutmeg. Medium-bodied. Pretty fruit. Nice tension here. $24 Our Price $19.99 (Arrives GT 10/6/23)

Wine Spectator 89 Points
St.-Cosme Côtes du Rhône 2021

Cassis, violet and blackberry flavors are round and supple on the palate in this dark red, with charred cedar, smoked meat and pepper adding depth and range. A densely structured version. Drink now through 2026. 27,000 cases imported. $21 Our Price $15.99 (Available GT 10/6/23)

Wine Spectator 92 Points
NEYERS Chardonnay Sonoma County 304 2022

Shows juicy yellow apple, Asian pear and lemon zest notes that are mouthwatering and fresh, gaining complexity from details of apple skin, fragrant white flowers and lingering fresh-grated ginger. Drink now. 7,225 cases made. From California.—MaryAnn Worobiec $35 Our Price $19.99 (Available GT and VRW)

2021 MacMurray Ranch Estate Russian River Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: The MacMurray Estate Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir opens with aromas of lavender and boysenberry, giving way to flavors of dark cherry, pomegranate and vanilla. This luscious wine has a silky mouthfeel, framed by subtle hints of oak from barrel aging. $30 Our Price $28.29 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 94 Points
2020 Grieve Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley Double Eagle

A distinctive white, oozing with lanolin, honeysuckle and buttery lemon pastry notes up front. The richness is matched by fresh acidity and a core of bright citrus and stone fruit flavors, and the texture is equally supple and juicy. Drink now. 555 cases made. $50 Our Price $42.99 (Available GT and VRW)

2021 Turnbull Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Notes of dusted blackberries, plum and cherry lead to a back-drift of toast and fleeting tobacco. Supple creamy tannins widen the dark fruit midpalate, lending to a lifted and layered finish. This wine widens and rises in amplitude and velocity with elegance and balance, showcasing the incredible beauty of the 2021 vintage. 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec. (Source: 71% Amoenus Vineyard, Calistoga, 11 % Fortuna Vineyard, Oakville, 11% Turnbull Home Vineyard, Oakville and 7% Leopoldina Vineyard, Oakville) $50 Our Price $44.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 91 Points
Hahn Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands SLH 2021

Leads with mulled cherry and plum notes, with hints of warm licorice and fruitcake, plus red tea filling in on the finish. Reveals fresh underlying acidity that extends the finish nicely. Drink now through 2026. 25,000 cases made. $30 Our Price $22.99 (Back in stock GT 10/6/23)

Wine Spectator 90 Points
Ancient Peaks Zinfandel Santa Margarita Ranch 2020

Fan-friendly and zesty, with blackberry, licorice and savory pepper flavors that build tension toward briary tannins. Drink now through 2029. 5,701 cases made. $22 Our Price $15.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points
2019 Tether Napa Chardonnay

Another great release for this wine, the 2019 Chardonnay offers a pure, elegant, yet still powerful, medium to full-bodied style...It has a tropical edge as well as wonderful purity, a clean, elegant texture, and a great finish. $42 Internet Price $31.99 (Last call for this vintage)

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Taste 2021 Pinot Noir: Flowers Sonoma Coast, Ken Wright Eola Amity Hills and Sea Smoke Southing Sta. Rita Hills at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, October 6th. 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. 27,000 cases made. $55

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Ken Wright Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2021

Grace meets structure and tension in this Pinot, which offers deep blueberry and raspberry flavors highlighted by crushed stone, forest floor and dusky spices. Ends with fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2032. 2,261 cases made. $38

2021 Sea Smoke Southing Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: Each year, our goal for Southing is to create the idealmarriage of complexity and elegance. Southing exhibits aromas offresh strawberry, rose water, Rainier cherry and subtle baking spices.The fine tannins and minerality are enhanced by our estate vineyard’scharacteristic cool climate acidity. $125

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Taste 2021 Black Stallion Napa Chardonnay, 2019 Black Stallion Napa Cabernet and 2018 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, October 7th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

James Suckling 92 Points
2021 Black Stallion Napa Chardonnay

Aromas of white peaches, quince, pear skin, beeswax and jasmine. Full-bodied and dry with chalky texture and vivid freshness to it. Hints of salted butter and crushed stones at the end. Drink now. $27

James Suckling 92 Points
2019 Black Stallion Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

A fragrant nose of mulberries, plums, cedar, cloves and vanilla. Medium-to full-bodied with fine, firm tannins and vivid acidity. Structured, with fruity character and a creamy texture. Chewy finish. Try from 2023. $36

2018 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet

Winemaker Notes: Ruby in color, the 2018 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 juice, fruit-forward core. Its silky mouthfeel will provide drinking pleasure through 2044 given proper cellaring conditions. Blend:94.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4.2% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc. $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
Tuesday-Friday 10:30 AM-5:30 PM
Saturday 10:30 AM-4:00 PM