Pop Up Wine Tasting at VRW Friday, 11/3/23

Hollis Nelson, Staglin Family Vineyard will join us at VRW this Friday from 2:00-3:00 PM.
We will taste the 2021 Salus Napa Chardonnay, 2019 Salus Napa Cabernet, 2016 and 2018 Estate Cabernet. Tasting Cost: $35 per person.

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On Deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Wine Advocate 96 Points
2021 Anthill Farms Comptche Ridge Pinot Noir

The 2021 Pinot Noir Comptche Ridge is powerful and expressive, with pure scents of wild berries, lavender, Earl Grey tea leaves and complex undertones of aniseed and iodine. The medium-bodied palate is impressively concentrated, velvety and energetic, and it boasts a very long, highly perfumed finish. $57

2022 Pahlmeyer Jason Napa Sauvignon Blanc

Winemaker Notes: Jayson by Pahlmeyer Napa Sauvignon Blanc has fresh flavors and lively acidity counterpoised with a deep, textural richness. Vibrant aromas of orange blossom, Kefir lime leaf, and ripe guava leap from the glass. The palate opens with a focused surge of Key lime, guava, and a hint of river rock minerality. Bright, concentrated citrus and tropical fruit flavors glide through the supple, layered mid-palate, continuing laser sharp through the crisp finish, an echo of citrus meringue ringing on. $38

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Taste 2021 MacRostie Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, 2021 Maybach Irmgard Sonoma Coast Pinot and 2020 Whitehall Lane Napa Cabernet at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, November 2nd. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 92 Points
2021 MacRostie Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

Intensely juicy, with wonderful purity to the pear, pineapple and tangerine flavors, notes of lemon blossoms and dashes of honey and spices. Shows mouthwatering acidity on the long, expressive finish, where a touch of minerality lingers. $28

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

Wine Enthusiast 94 Points
2020 Whitehall Lane Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Deep, dark and elegant, this full-bodied wine sips easily despite significant tannins since they are silky and fine-grained. Black cherries, blackberries and blueberries blend with hints of charred oak and iron for a complex, edgy palate. $52

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2021 Caterwaul Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Dark, complex and structured, the 2021 vintage delivers an unforgettable Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon profile that comes from having access to some of the finest vineyards in the Valley. The wine displays a completely opaque dark purple hue in the glass. Densely layered aromatic notes suggest plum reduction, quince, oolong tea, and cedar bark. The palate experience has an interwoven dark fruit core with lively peripheral notes that lean more towards brambly red fruit. Notes of blackberry paste, leather and cocoa nib dominate the mid palate while the lengthy finish expresses brighter notes of raspberry, dark cherry and blueberries. The sleek mouthfeel is framed by finely integrated tannins and a balanced acidity, allowing for immediate enjoyment or a little nap in the cellar. $55 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Domaine Carneros Brut Carneros 2019

Alluring for its sleek polish and precision, this sparkler has tiers of Asian pear, strawberry, fresh almond and ginger flavors that unfurl slowly. Drink now. 25,000 cases made. $36 Our Price $32.69 (Available GT and VRW)

Decanter 95 Points
Bollinger Brut Champagne Special Cuvée NV

If it’s good enough for James Bond, it’s good enough for you. Bollinger Champagne has made a number of cameos in James Bond films over the year. This non-vintage Special Cuvée is an example of a classic Champagne done well. Notes of marzipan on the nose and the palate give toastiness and leesy notes, specifically sourdough. It’s classic for a reason and would only elevate any table it finds itself on.$95 Our Price $63.95 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Result of a Crush Syrah Walla Walla Valley The Unnamed Series 2019

Dynamic and sleekly styled, with expressive black olive, wild game and blueberry flavors that build richness toward refined, mineral-tinged tannins. Drink now through 2030. 330 cases made. $28 Our Price $25.49 (Available GT)

Wine Spectator 94 Points
Louis Roederer Brut Champagne 2015

A bright, chalky Champagne, finely balanced and appealing, with a range of nectarine and strawberry fruit flavors, plus notes of almond biscotti, pink grapefruit pith and elderflower. Packs a vivacious mousse that dances a foxtrot on the palate, carrying the flavors on the racy, lingering finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Drink now through 2030. 741 cases. $110 Our Price $89.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 96 Points
2019 Mayacamas Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon

Loaded with character and energy, this version reveals heavy notes of zesty sweet bay leaf and sassafras that infuse a core of steeped red currant and mulberry fruit, all carried by bright acidity and iron-laced tannins. The long finish pulls everything together, with the fruit, savory and mineral elements in harmony. Showing an old-school touch, this has a long life ahead. Best from 2025 through 2045.”—James Molesworth. $185 (Available GT and VRW)

Jeb Dunnuck 97-99 Points
2021 Saxum G2 Vineyard

Not yet bottled but already incredibly impressive, the 2021 G2 will be Grenache-dominated but includes smaller amounts of Syrah and Graciano. It’s loaded with red and black raspberry-like fruits as well as tons of floral, pepper, and spicy nuances, which carry to a full-bodied, pure, elegant red. It’s remarkably complex for such a young wine and has incredible tannins and a gorgeous finish. Don’t miss it. $165 (Available GT) Limited

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)

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Taste Napa Cabernet: 2021 Ballentine, 2018 William Harrison Rutherford and 2019 O’Shaughnessy at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, November 3rd. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2021 Ballentine Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: This is a fruit-forward wine, with dark fruit dominating the palate. Blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, and currants explode on the nose and palate. Black currant, raspberry, and cherry pair seamlessly with cigar box, leather, tobacco leaf, and subtle herbaceous. Hints of black olive, black tea, dark cocoa, and eucalyptus complement the soft tannins and keep this wine balanced. This medium-bodied wine finishes with fig preserves and baking spices. This is an elegant wine crafted to be enjoyed upon release but can easily hold up to age for another 7-10 years. $60

2018 William Harrison RUTHERFORD ESTATE Napa CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Winemaker Notes: Marked by intense aromas of blackberry compote, with subtler notes of cocoa nib, blueberry and fennel seed. The palate is full-bodied, with dense boysenberry flavors, a hint of roast coffee and smooth, fine-grained tannins. Complementary flavors of nutmeg and tobacco are attributed to our unique barrel program. The texture is dense and youthful, with vibrant tannin structure and a lingering finish. $75

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2019 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

The base 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is terrific, and while I don’t know the price, I suspect it’s a great value. Deep purple-hued, with terrific mulled currant and blackberry fruits, it has lots of ripe herbal, chocolaty spice notes, full-bodied richness, sweet tannins, and a great finish. This is pure Napa Valley goodness to drink over the coming 10-15 years. $85

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Taste 2018 Fanti Brunello di Montalcino, 2019 Castello Banfi Magna Cum Laude and 2019 Paolo Scavino Monvigliero Barolo at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, November 4th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Fanti Brunello di Montalcino 2018

Sleek and focused, with a supple feel to the cherry, raspberry, hibiscus and chalky mineral flavors. Well-balanced, finishing with a crisp feel now that should stretch out nicely in time. Best from 2025 through 2042. —B.S. $49

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

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

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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