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Gift Certificates available at GT and VRW

On Deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Wine Spectator 91 POINTS
CHÂTEAU DE ST.-COSME Côtes Du Rhône Les Deux Albion 2021

This seductive red offers a lot to like, with ripe red fruit and toasted aniseed notes showing an invigorating layer of white and black pepper through the harmonious, medium- to full-bodied frame. Hints of black tea and iron shavings add energy. Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Clairette. Drink now through 2028. 1,700 cases imported. —Kristen Bieler. $29

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points
2019 Vineyard 29 Cru Napa Cabernet

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Cru Napa Valley is outstanding, and at the less than the $100 price point, it’s about as good as it gets! Ripe cassis, flowers, spicy oak, and tobacco notes all emerge from the glass, and it’s a ripe, round, wonderfully textured Cabernet that will shine for a decade or more. Best After 2022. $75

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Taste 2021 MCBRIDE SISTERS COLLECTION Chardonnay Central Coast, 2020 MACROSTIE Chardonnay Russian River and 2021 Kongsgaard Napa Chardonnay at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, November 16th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

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

Wine Spectator 93 Points
2020 MACROSTIE Chardonnay Russian River

Distinctive and aromatic, with jasmine, orange blossom and fresh lime zest flavors that are fragrant and precise, plus terrific intensity and juiciness on a sleek, mouthwatering frame. Features succulent notes of lemon curd and peach at the core. Drink now through 2032. 350 cases made. — MW $38

2021 Kongsgaard Napa Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: Our historic blend of the Hudson and Hyde vineyards shows the classic tangerine oil and crème brûlée richness of aroma over intense marzipan and nectarine flavors. The palate is broad, but still well mannered. The finish is long and positively saline–dare we say “minerality?” Back when Robert Parker was visiting, he called this the Bâtard-Montrachet of Napa. $140

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2021 Frei Brothers Alexander Valley Reserve Cabernet

Winemaker Notes: For their Cabernet Sauvignon, they turned to the Sonoma County region that’s most renowned for the grape, Alexander Valley. In the warm, sun-drenched days and cool, crisp nights, our Cabernet Sauvignon ripens slowly, developing its signature rich, complex character and classic fruit notes of blackberry, blueberry and plum. $24 Our Price $21.99 (Arrives GT 11/17/23)

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 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 94 Points
M. MARENGO Barolo Bricco delle Viole 2019

A rich red, with cherry and blackberry flavors framed by toasty oak. This has hints of eucalyptus and tar that are buried for now, yet should become more expressive as time goes on. Shows lovely texture and harmony. Best from 2026 through 2043. —B.S. $200 cases imported $68 Our Price $55.99 (Arrives GT 11/21/23)

2022 Biale North Coast Party Line Zinfandel

Winemaker Notes: The 2022 Party Line Zinfandel is layered with aromatics of dusty strawberries, red licorice, black cherries, white peach, root beer, and raspberry taffy. The entry is weighty with rustic mid-palate tannins that make for a long and juicy finish. $25 (Available GT)

Wine Spectator 94 Points
JOURNEYMAN Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2021

Stunning, with fleshy peach, apricot and Fuji apple flavors that are juicy, generous and precise, with hints of fennel seed, lemon oil, lemongrass and candied ginger that linger on the long, expressive finish. Drink now. 440 cases made. —MaryAnn Worobiec. $54 (Arrives GT 11/17/23)

Decanter 95 points
2017 Ramos Pinto Unfiltered LBV Port, Douro

A regular medal winner at DWWA, this is a traditional LBV from an excellent year. Foot-trodden aged for years in wood before bottling without filtration. This wine has power and depth, with fresh, tight-knit fruit and gentle peppery-spicy grip. It already shows considerable floral finesse but will age and soften in bottle if laid down for another five years. Drinking Window 2022-2032. $28 Our Price $24.99 (Available GT and VRW)

James Suckling 99 Points
Krug Grande Cuvée 171ème Édition Brut Champagne

The tightness and tension of this is impressive considering the youngest wine from this is 2015 (hot and dry year), with some wines going back to 2000. Ginger and orange zest. Some creme brulee. It's medium-bodied with apple, pie crust and floral character. It's salty and zesty yet, at the same time, complex and gorgeous. Chamomile and other floral teas highlight everything. Turns rich and flavorful at the finish. Terrific release. Really takes off at the end. Drink or hold. $300 Our Price $249 (Available GT and VRW)

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Taste 2019 Girard Napa Cabernet, 2020 Pahlmeyer Jayson Napa Red and 2021 Stewart Napa Cabernet at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, November 17th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

James Suckling 94 Points
2019 Girard Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

An intense nose with lots of ripe black and blue fruit, vanilla, licorice and a touch of leafiness. Full-bodied and dry with firm tannins and delicious fruit. Creamy and succulent with a touch of minerality. Long chocolatey finish. Light austerity at the end that makes it balanced and fresh. Better in a year or two. $36

James Suckling 93 Points
2020 Pahlmeyer Jayson Red

Aromas of blackcurrant, sliced plum, coriander and cardamom. Full-bodied with silky tannins. Nicely concentrated, without being overblown. Sweet spice and black fruit wash over the palate, with some black-tea notes coming through as well. I like the subtlety here. Drink or hold. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec. $65

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

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Taste Domaine Carneros NV Cuveé de la Pompadour Brut Rosé, Iron Horse Wedding Cuvée Green Valley of Russian River Valley 2019 and Louis Roederer Brut Champagne 2015 at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, November 18th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points
Domaine Carneros NV Cuveé de la Pompadour Brut Rosé Sparkling

Yeasty and brimming in brioche and custard, this is a rich, generous and textured sparkling wine, made from blending 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay and given a minimum of two years of aging. Dried cherry and a hint of dried herb provide complementary contrast. $45

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Iron Horse Wedding Cuvée Green Valley of Russian River Valley 2019

Succulent and seductive, with festive raspberry and lemon crème brûlée flavors accented by fresh gingerbread and spice tones, which glide on the creamy finish. Drink now. 6,000 cases made. $58

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

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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