The Grape Tray will be open on Monday during the month of December

Grape Tray
Monday, 12/4 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday, 12/5 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday, 12/6 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday, 12/7 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday, 12/8 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday, 12/9 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM

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Vintage Reserve Wine
Tuesday, 12/5 12:00 noon – 6:00 PM
Wednesday, 12/6 12:00 noon – 6:00 PM
Thursday, 12/7 12:00 noon – 6:00 PM
Friday, 12/8 12:00 noon – 6:00 PM
Saturday, 12/9 12:00 noon – 4:00 PM

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On Deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018

This is textbook Napa Cabernet—ripe, forthright and well-defined, with cassis, bitter plum and blackberry fruit driving through over a racy graphite hint and lively savory notes. Reveals an alder toast accent on the finish. Rock-solid. Drink now through 2034. 3,516 cases made. $68

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Taste 2021 CHÂTEAU DE ST.-COSME Côtes Du Rhône Les Deux Albion and 2019 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva at Vintage Reserve Wine for $15 per person.
Tuesday, November 28th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

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 98 Points
2019 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva

Moving to the Syrahs, the 2019 Syrah Reva reveals a much cooler climate-like style in its blackberry, graphite, pepper, and bouquet garni-like nuances, and it picks up an almost Cornas-like game and white pepper character with time in the glass. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a pure, layered, elegant mouthfeel, ripe yet polished tannins, and a great finish. It reminds me slightly of the 2018, although with slightly less concentration. It will evolve for 20-25 years. CA Market Price $120-$200+

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Taste 2021 Paul Lato Lancelot Pinot Noir and 2019 Domaine Faiveley Gevrey-Chambertin Les Cazetiers at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Wednesday, November 29th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points
2021 Paul Lato Lancelot Pinot Noir

I always find an incredible sense of minerality from this site, and the 2021 Pinot Noir Lancelot Pisoni Vineyard has bright red fruits, white flowers, crushed stone, and violet-like aromas and flavors. Rich, medium to full-bodied, tight, and structured, it's flawlessly balanced and has a great finish. Hide bottles for 2-3 years and enjoy through 2033. $105

Wine Spectator 95 Points
Domaine Faiveley Gevrey-Chambertin Les Cazetiers 2019

A gush of succulent black cherry fruit introduces this effusive red, along with black currant, blackberry, iron and oak spice notes. Dense yet racy, with an intense, lingering finish of fruit, mineral and spices. Best from 2025 through 2045. 840 cases made, 210 cases imported. $200

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Taste 2021 Cecchi Chianti Classico Storia di Famiglia , 2018 M. Marengo Barolo Bricco delle Viole and 2019 Paolo Scavino Barolo Bricco Ambrogio at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, November 30th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 91 Points
Cecchi Chianti Classico Storia di Famiglia 2021

Laced with black cherry, black currant and violet aromas and flavors, this red is immediately appealing for its lush fruit. Balanced, fresh and long, with iron, wild herb and tobacco details. Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2028. 50,000 cases made, 10,000 cases imported. $26

Wine Advocate 94 Points
M. Marengo Barolo Bricco delle Viole 2018

The 2018 Barolo Bricco delle Viole (with 6,000 bottles made) opens to a medium rich appearance followed by very distinct aromas of wild rose, grilled herb, mint and freshly milled white pepper. The wine's texture is lean but fine-tuned and elegant. These qualities shape a long and polished mouthfeel. Fruit comes from a one-hectare parcel at a breezy 420 meters in elevation. $64

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

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Wine Advocate 90 Points
AVANCIA Godello Valdeorras Cuvée de O 2019

A round, polished white. Offers a vibrant acidity that cuts through the quince, tangerine and ginger flavors, underscored with chive, spice and heather elements, followed by a long, mineral-laced finish. Drink now through 2024. 3,000 cases made, 1,750 cases imported.—G.S. $20 Liquidaton Price $12.95 (Limited to stock on hand at GT)

Wine Spectator 95 Points
Domaine Faiveley Gevrey-Chambertin Les Cazetiers 2019

A gush of succulent black cherry fruit introduces this effusive red, along with black currant, blackberry, iron and oak spice notes. Dense yet racy, with an intense, lingering finish of fruit, mineral and spices. Best from 2025 through 2045. 840 cases made, 210 cases imported. $200 Our Price $171.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
LUIGI PIRA Barolo Marenca 2018

This Barolo flashes its fruity side, with bright cherry and raspberry flavors accented by rose, tobacco and a hint of black pepper. Firms up yet remains vibrant, with a lingering, spicy aftertaste. Best from 2025 through 2042. —B.S. 200 cases imported $78 Our Price $44.99 (Arrives GT 11/29/23)

Vinous 95-97 Points
2021 Turley Hayne Petite Syrah

The 2021 Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard shows why this site is so magical. Seamless on the palate, with tremendous fruit purity, the Hayne dazzles from start to finish. Dark red/purplish fruit, mocha, licorice, new leather and spice all meld together. There are no hard or awkward edges in this young Petite, just tons of pure pedigree. What a wine! $90 (Arrives GT 12/6/23)

Vinous 94 Points
2021 Turley Dusi Zinfandel

The 2021 Zinfandel Dusi Vineyard, from vines planted in 1945, is a bold, potent Paso Robles Zinfandel. A blast of dark red cherry, plum, spice, menthol and licorice saturate the palate. This plush, explosive Zinfandel has a ton going on. There's real old-vine gravitas and texture here. What a gorgeous wine this is. $53 (Arrives GT 12/6/23)

2021 Fait Main Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: his unapologetically juicy, hedonistic wine celebrates all the corners of the Napa Valley. The nose shows rich strawberry, blackberry and chocolate notes that open up on the palate to a silky ripeness with excellent density. Velvety tannins support the full body and allow the long, fruit-filled finish to bloom. $120 (Available GT and VRW)

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Taste 2022 NEYERS Chardonnay Sonoma County 304, 2020 Thread Feathers Stags Leap Cabernet and 2019 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Napa at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, December 1st. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

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

2020 Thread Feathers Stags Leap Cabernet

Winemaker Notes: This 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning expression of the Stags Leap District growing region. Grown on an eastern facing hillside on the west side of Silverado Trail, this wine is bright and opulent with dark fruit notes of dark cherry and blueberry compote and hints of baking spice, cedar, violet and crushed stone. This wine is rich with beautiful structure, balance and polished tannins. 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. $40

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
2019 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Napa

From the southern, cooler end of the valley, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville offers a vibrant, lively bouquet of blue fruits, sappy herbs, truffle, tobacco, and hints of gravelly earth. It brings plenty of richness on the palate and is medium to full-bodied, has nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. It's a beautiful, cooler-climate, textured, balanced Cabernet that can be enjoyed today or cellared for upwards of two decades. MATURITY: 2022 – 2042. $120

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Taste 2021 Frei Brothers Alexander Valley Reserve Cabernet, 2019 Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve Napa and 2016 Eisele Vineyard Altagracia Cabernet at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, December 2nd. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

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

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

Wine Advocate 95 Points * 2016 Eisele Vineyard Altagracia Cabernet Sauvignon

The Altagracia is produced almost exclusively from estate fruit this year and was bottled at the end of June 2018. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Altagracia comes bursting forth with vivacious black cherries, blackberries, wild blueberries and cassis notes with touches of cinnamon stick, cloves, forest floor, violets and dusty earth with a waft of violets. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm and grainy with loads of iron and mineral accents, finishing long and perfumed. $135

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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