On Deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 92
2021 Chateau de Beaucastel Coudoulet Rouge

A terrific vintage for this wine, which was bottled just a couple of weeks prior to my late June visit, the 2021 Cotes du Rhone Coudoulet de Beaucastel is a blend of 30% each Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah, plus 10% Cinsault. From a vineyard just outside the boundaries of the appellation of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, it's a remarkably consistent wine and always a solid value. Scents of sunbaked stones, black cherries and licorice appear on the nose, joined by hints of purple raspberries and dark chocolate, while the medium to full-bodied palate is lush and velvety, finishing long and complex. $40

Wine Advocate 95 Points *
2016 Feytit Clinet - Pomerol (1.5L)

The 2016 Feytit Clinet is a blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc aged for 16 months in 70% new and 30% one-year-old French oak barrels. It has a deep garnet-purple color with lifted blueberries and black cherries with hints of lilacs, black tea, potpourri, wood smoke and black soil. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated, rich and bold with firm, rounded tannins, seamless freshness and a very long finish with chocolate hints. About 1,583 cases produced.- Lisa Perrotti-Brown (11/2018) $225/magnum

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Taste 2022 Pahlmeyer Jayson Napa Sauvignon Blanc, 2021 Turnbull Napa Cabernet and 2020 Dalla Valle Collina Napa Cabernet at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, November 9th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

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

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

California Wine Advisors 97 Points *
2020 Dalla Valle Collina Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

This highly-anticipated boutique Cabernet blend impresses with a silky smooth texture, plush tannins, and seriously delicious, dark fruit that remind us of best-selling trophy wines. We have judged the last ten Collina vintages and this is a strong candidate for the best-ever upon release. Flavors of dark chocolate and espresso lead to seductive layers of tightly-wound fruit complimented by seamlessly integrated French oak. This impressive new offering truly defies its humble price tag and may be enjoyed tonight (decant 1⁄2 hour). Our team rates this a solid 96+ rating now and predict it will evolve into 97 points over the next decade in our judgement. $115

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Wine Spectator 90 Points
MCBRIDE SISTERS COLLECTION
Chardonnay Central Coast 2021

Creamy and lush, with flavors of lemon meringue, lemon curd and crème anglaise that show accents of marmalade and apricot pastry, plus fresh grace notes of tangerine, candied ginger and toasted, buttery brioche. A fresh thread of acidity keeps all the flavors in focus. —M.W. $17 Our Price $14.45 (Available GT 11/10/23)

Wine Spectator 92 Points
Goldeneye Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 2021

Juicy and inviting, with tasty raspberry and mulberry notes infused with pine forest, red tea and wet earth accents. Keeps the fleshy, juicy feel through the lightly toasted finish. Drink now through 2028. $62 Our Price $46.99/750ml and $24.99/375ml (Available GT)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Paolo Scavino Barolo Bricco Ambrogio 2019

This Barolo is round and rich, offering spicy cherry, rose hip, menthol and tar flavors. Firm yet mouthwatering, this should be approachable earlier than many 2019s. Shows fine balance and length. Best from 2025 through 2042. 500 cases made, 150 cases imported. $84 Our Price $64.49 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Advocate 97

2016 Staglin Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate bursts out of the glass with beautiful black cherry compote, warm cassis and freshly crushed blackberries scents plus touches of chargrill, violets, dark chocolate and pencil shavings and a waft of English lavender. Full-bodied, the palate features great intensity combined with fantastic freshness, textured by soft, finely grained tannins and lifted by the most gorgeous floral perfume, finishing long and layered. Beautiful wine. $300 Our Price $284.95 (Back in stock GT)

2021 Stewart Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: This full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon begins with notes of coriander and cardamom on the nose. Lush flavors of blueberry, blackcurrant, and blackberry are beautifully layered on the palate and lead into a unique, subtle hint of vanillin. The finish is accented with flavors of mocha and is refined by the velvety French oak. $80 (Available GT and VRW)

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
2012 Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion Pessac-Leognan

The 2012 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion is terrific, with a beautiful, classy, incredibly impressive style that's drinking beautifully today. Offering up pure dark fruits (some blue fruits as well) to go with notes of smoked tobacco, scorched earth, graphite, and violets, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless profile, impressively polished tannins, and a great finish. It's beautifully done, and while certainly showing what it has today, it's going to evolve for another 20-25 years. CA Market Price $145-$169. Our Price $154.99 (Available GT and VRW)

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Taste 2020 Grieve Double Eagle Napa Sauvignon Blanc, 2018 Buehler Estate Napa Cabernet and 2019 Stag’s Leap Winery Napa Cabernet at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, November 10th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

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

Wine Advocate 92 Points
2018 Buehler Estate Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and expressive notes of crushed blackberries, wild blueberries and cassis plus suggestions of bay leaves, clove oil and unsmoked cigars with a hint of cardamom. Medium-bodied and elegantly styled, the palate is chock-full of bright, crunchy black fruit with subtle, invigorating dried herbs accents and approachable, grainy tannins, finishing with a lively lift. Impressively priced for the quality here, it is drinking beautifully right now, and should cellar for a good 12 years+. Stock up! $45

James Suckling 93 Points
2019 Stag’s Leap Winery Napa Cabernet

Lovely aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, ground spice and anise. Full-bodied with fine, silky tannins. Juicy and vibrant on the palate with lovely balance and intensity. $65

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Taste Cabernet Sauvignon: 2021 J. Lohr Hilltop, 2019 Black Stallion Napa and 2020 Peter Michael L’Esprit Des Pavot at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, November 11th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

Double Gold * 2023 SUNSET INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION 96 Points
2021 J. Lohr Hilltop Cabernet

Winemaker Notes: Exhilarating blackberry and blueberry aromas are enhanced by crushed violet, herbes de Provence, and spiced tea. On the palate, dense and soft, with finely textured tannins. Juicy layers of black and red currants lead to a bright finish, accented by pastry notes from extended barrel aging. $30

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

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2020 Peter Michael L'Esprit Des Pavots

Inky red with a purple tinge, the 2020 L'Esprit Des Pavots is brooding with spice, black cherry preserve, forest earth, and black licorice. It’s full-bodied, rounded, and gushing with boysenberry, with a balance of sweet fruit and savory Sonoma character in its notes of tea leaf, wildflowers, and lightly toasted spices. Long on the palate, with ripe tannins and a good finish, it’s attractive now and will drink well over the next 10 years. $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