On Deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

2021 Maybach Irmgard, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

Thomas Brown, Winemaker Notes: In planting this vineyard in 2007, we chose two different California Heritage clones, Swan and Calera, to produce a distinct wine that reflects the soil and climate. This Pinot Noir has leagues of depth and aromatic notes of forest floor, cassis, and cinnamon. On the palate, notes of plum, cranberry compote, rosemary, oolong tea and a zesty acidity draw out into a clean perfumed finish. $95

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
2021 Peter Michael Pinot Noir Ma Danseuse

A deep and semi-opaque ruby/purple color, the 2021 Pinot Noir Ma Danseuse is ripe with black cherry, violets, and wet stone. This full-bodied Pinot Noir is balanced and broad on the palate, with ripe tannins, and it’s flush with ripe black raspberry, sweet earth, and tea leaf, a velvety texture, and good purity. Drink 2025-2037. $170

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Castello Banfi Toscana Magna Cum Laude 2019

Saturated with black currant and blackberry flavors, this red also reveals bell pepper, eucalyptus, iron and tobacco notes. Dense tannins hold court on the finish, while the fruit, savory and mineral elements linger. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah. Best from 2024 through 2037. 7,500 cases made, 1,400 cases imported. $50

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Taste 2022 Rombauer Sauvignon Blanc, 2021 Phelps Napa Cabernet and 2019 Lancaster Winemaker’s Cuvee at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Tuesday, October 24th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 92 Points
Rombauer Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma-Napa Counties 2022

Fresh Fuji apple, pear and nectarine flavors are mouthwatering and juicy at the core of this white, but there are pretty accents for complexity and length, including a drizzle of wildflower honey, lemon curd, lemon verbena and fresh-grated ginger. Drink now. 48,002 cases made. $28

Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 Points
2021 Phelps Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Looking at the Cabernet releases, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is deep purple-hued and has a classic nose of ripe currants, tobacco, lead pencil, and chocolate. This rich, fleshy, full-bodied 2021 has solid mid-palate depth, the structure and density that's the hallmark of the vintage, and a great finish. It's a beauty. $105

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points
2019 Lancaster Winemaker’s 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

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Taste 2021 Domaine Drouhin Roserock Eola-Amity Hills Pinot and 2021 l’Arlot Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Clos des Forets St Georges at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20.
Wednesday, October 25th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 94 Points
DROUHIN OREGON ROSEROCK Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2021

Graceful and precise, with dynamic cherry and red plum flavors highlighted by fresh violet and brown spices, which glide on the long, sleek finish toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2032. 10,500 cases made. —Tim Fish $42

James Suckling 95 Points * 2021 Domaine de l'Arlot Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Clos des Forêts St Georges

Complex nose of red berries, savory and wet earth with just a hint of candied citrus peel. Quite a bold and seriously structured wine with excellent depth for the challenging vintage, but nothing even remotely approaching a hard edge. This will need some time to give its best, but the balance is there at the simultaneously crisp and velvety finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Best from 2025. $160

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Taste 2022 Alban Central Coast Viognier, 2019 Beringer Knights Valley Reserve Cabernet and 2021 Bevan Ontogeny Proprietary Red at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, October 26th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2022 Alban Central Coast Viognier

Winemaker Notes: Something I hope you’ll enjoy sharing with your customers is our 2022 Central Coast Viognier: Medium straw color, deep rich nose of apricot, peach, and mango with ginger and exotic spices. Round and dense entry with classic Viognier oiliness, mouth coating while maintaining freshness with lush fruit, spice, creaminess, long with a surprising, gentle and bright upturn of acidity at the very end. The ’22 CCV cries out for some crab or shellfish but it will pair nicely with a wide array of cheeses or chicken dishes. $30

James Suckling 95 Points
2019 Beringer Knights Valley Reserve Cabernet

Aromas of black tea, blackberry and tobacco leaf. Full-bodied with velvety, slightly tense tannins. Lovely black-fruited palate with dried-flower and herb character. Roses, violets and sage. Nicely balanced and long. Lovely density in the center-palate. Best after 2025. $50

2021 Bevan Ontogeny Proprietary Red

Winemaker Notes: The 2021 vintage is showing so massive on release that it’s giving us 2018 vibes. As usual, it is a blend of all of our best vineyards, although primarily Tench Vineyard. Prominently Cabernet Sauvignon, it shows massive power and is one of our darkest Ontogeny bottlings ever, yet it still retains its complexity with the Merlot and Cabernet Franc additions. Vibrant blueberry, boysenberry and créme de cassis with super concentrated fruit, and with the weight and tannin in the back palate that will allow this wine to age gracefully. Deep, dark and powerful. $100

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James Suckling 93 Points
San Valero Garnacha Cariñena Plano Alto 2019

This is rather inky with dark berries and graphite to the black-cherry aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and long, textural finish that goes on for minutes. Delicious now. $13 Liquidation Price $8.45 (Arrives GT 10/25/23)

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
2020 Law Aspire Syrah

The 2020 Aspire is more Syrah-dominated and has ripe plum and blackberry-like fruit as well as classic notes of peppered meat, leather, and dried herbs, with a kiss of subtle chocolaty oak. It too is full-bodied, has a round, layered mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. The blend is 83% Syrah and 17% Grenache aged 22 months in 75% new French oak. $87 (Arrives GT 10/27/23)

Wine Spectator 93 Points

Château Fuissé Pouilly-Fuissé Les Combettes 2020

Buttery and rich, this white delivers apple pie, citronella and baking spice flavors. Harmonious, finding a nice groove as this persists on the finish. Stays spicy through the lingering aftertaste. Drink now through 2029. 333 cases made, 100 cases imported. $115 Our Price $89.99 (Available GT)

2021 Maybach Eterium, Chardonnay Russian River Valley

Thomas Brown, Winemaker Notes: FIFTEENTH RELEASE of Maybach Eterium, from a hillside vineyard a few miles from the Pacific Ocean. Warm days, brisk nights and deep loamy soil provide this coastal site with ideal conditions for growing cool climate varietals naturally high in acidity. The result is a wine of terrific structure. $105 (Arrives GT 10/27/23) Limited

Wine Spectator 97 Points
Paolo Scavino Barolo Monvigliero 2019

Saturated with cherry, raspberry and violet aromas and flavors, this pure and silky red is both elegant and beautifully structured. Very expressive today, already showing harmony and excellent length on the finish, with mineral and underbrush accents adding depth. Best from 2025 through 2042. 600 cases made, 180 cases imported. $107 Our Price TBD (Arrives GT 10/26/23)

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
2021 Peter Michael Pinot Noir Ma Danseuse

A deep and semi-opaque ruby/purple color, the 2021 Pinot Noir Ma Danseuse is ripe with black cherry, violets, and wet stone. This full-bodied Pinot Noir is balanced and broad on the palate, with ripe tannins, and it’s flush with ripe black raspberry, sweet earth, and tea leaf, a velvety texture, and good purity. Drink 2025-2037. $170 Our Price $159.99 (Arrives GT 10/25/23)

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Taste 2020 Emmolo Napa Merlot, 2019 Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve Napa and 2019 Beaulieu Vineyard Rutherford Reserve at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, October 27th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2020 Emmolo Napa Merlot

Winemaker Notes: This well-balanced and darkly colored Emmolo Napa Valley Merlot evokes the scents of saddle leather, coffee and plum, with traces of smokiness amidst its rich fruit. A smooth entry on the palate leads into ripe flavors of plums, prunes and cocoa, balanced by acidity and a grippy tannin character. On the finish: a harmony of fresh earthiness, smoky notes and cocoa's lingering, inviting warmth. $55

Wine Spectator 92 Points
Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve Napa Valley 2019

A nice, plush style, with cassis and cherry compote notes rolling through, laced with singed vanilla and licorice. Reveals good underlying freshness, with an echo of violet through the finish as the fruit plays out. Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2032. 20,877 cases made. $65

James Suckling 95 Points
2019 Beaulieu Vineyard Rutherford Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

A very attractive red now, with complexity and yummy drinkability. It’s medium-bodied with medium, round tannins that are fresh and more-ish. It’s dusty and lightly earthy with dark currants as well as tobacco. So much going on, in a subtle and refreshing way. 85% cabernet sauvignon, 10% petit verdot, and 5% malbec. Drink or hold. $80

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Taste 2021 MacMurray Ranch Estate Russian River Pinot, 2018 Beringer Distinctions Napa Cabernet and 2019 O’Shaughnessy Howell Mountain Cabernet at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, October 28th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

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

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points
2018 Beringer Distinctions Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Distinctions is another well-made wine with lots to love. Plenty of black and subtle blue fruits, notes of tobacco leaf, smoked earth, and graphite, medium to full body, and a seamless texture all make for an undeniably delicious red that’s ideal for drinking any time over the coming 10-15 years. $60

Jeb Dunnuck 98+ Points
2019 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is an incredible wine, and it flirts with perfection. Full-bodied and concentrated, it has flawless balance and elegance as well as just textbook Howell Mountain notes of blue fruits, cassis, violets, graphite, and background oak. I love its tannins, it has remarkable purity of fruit, and a great, great finish. It has some appeal today yet deserves 4-5 years of bottle age and should have over two decades of longevity. $110

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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