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2017 Skyfall Columbia Valley Cabernet

Winemaker Notes: Black currant leads from the nose through the mid-palate. The fruit evolves into dark blackberry with hints of cocoa and vanilla. This is a big, structured wine with nice lingering flavors. $13 Our Price $4.95 (Limited to 8 cases in stock at GT)

December Holiday Hours

Grape Tray
Monday, 12/18 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday, 12/19 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday, 12/20 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday, 12/21 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday, 12/22 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday, 12/23 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM

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Vintage Reserve Wine
Tuesday, 12/19 12:00 noon – 6:00 PM
Wednesday, 12/20 12:00 noon – 6:00 PM
Thursday, 12/21 12:00 noon – 6:00 PM
Friday, 12/22 12:00 noon – 6:00 PM
Saturday, 12/23 12:00 noon – 4:00 PM

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On Deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
Krug Grande Cuvee 168th eme, Magnum

A beautiful Champagne, yet one that needs bottle age, the NV Grand Cuvee 168ème Edition comes mostly from the 2012 vintage (a good vintage) and has gorgeous apple blossom and stone fruits intermixed with classic Krug toasted brioche, toasted almond, white flowers, and honeysuckle aromatics. Just gorgeous on the palate as well, it's concentrated and has a rich, backward texture, bright acidity, and great finish. It takes lots of air to show at its best today, but do your best to hide bottles for 3-4 years. You'll be rewarded and it will evolve gracefully for another two decades or more. $720/magnum.

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Taste 2021 Pascal Jolivet Sancerre Rose, 2021 Domaine Drouhin Roserock Zephirine Pinot and 2021 J. Rochioli Pinot Noir Estate at Vintage Reserve Wine for $20 per person.
Tuesday, December 19th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Vinous Media 90 Points
2021 Pascal Jolivet Sancerre Rose

Limpid orange-pink. Mineral-accented strawberry, cherry and orange aromas are complemented by a subtle floral topnote. Shows good energy and spicy lift on the palate, which offers juicy red berry, orange pith and rose pastille flavors and a touch of botanical herbs. The floral note repeats a bright, supple finish that leaves a bitter cherry note behind. $27

James Suckling 97 Points
2021 Domaine Drouhin Roserock Zephirine Pinot Noir

Beautifully fragrant notes of cocoa-dusted raspberries and crushed blueberries with dried rose petals, sencha tea, cherry chocolate and crushed rocks. Ground spices, too. It shows both delicacy and power, with a compact and silky feeling to the tannin structure and impressive acidity which carries the freshness and tone through to the finish. Attractive tension of crunchy blue fruit and spices. $75

Jeb Dunnuck #1 Wine of the year 2023
Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points * 2021 J. Rochioli Pinot Noir Estate

A deep transparent ruby, the elegant 2021 Pinot Noir Estate displays a refined, classic appeal in its notes of wild raspberry, fresh roses, and forest herbs. Medium-bodied, it reveals fine tannins and remarkable purity throughout its fresh, well-balanced layers of orange peel, ripe red cherry, and floral, spicy notes that continue long on the palate. A beautiful Pinot with a lot of immediate appeal, it will continue to drink well over the next 6-8 years. This stunning wine far exceeds its entry-level status. It’s absolutely gorgeous. $90

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Taste 2022 Miraval Cotes de Provence Rose, 2021 Clos St.-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles and 2019 Tempier Bandol Rouge at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Wednesday, December 20th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Advocate 90 Points
2022 Miraval Cotes de Provence Rose

A blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Rolle and Syrah, sourced from vines planted on clay-limestone soils, the 2022 Cotes de Provence Rose reveals aromas of red berries, spices, peach, watermelon, spring flowers and pomegranate. Medium-bodied and elegantly oaky with a spicy touch, it’s fresh and fruity with a mouthwatering, elegant finish. This rosé benefits from the expertise of the Perrin family. $30

Wine Spectator 95 Points
Clos St.-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2021

This has good concentration and energy to the dense core of dark fruit and bitter cherry, with great poise and elegance despite its ripeness (an impressive feat for the vintage). Guided by finely crushed mineral accents and tannins, this reveals pretty high-toned floral notes and leafy tobacco. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Vaccarèse and Muscardin. Drink now through 2032. 900 cases made. $68

2019 Tempier Bandol Rouge

Winemaker Notes: There is something about the dark, inky Mourvèdre, plus the salty sea air caressing the vines every night, that typifies classic Bandol. This wine is complete, and ready to serve cooled down a touch. Blend: 75% Mourvèdre, 14% Grenache, 9% Cinsault, 2% Carignan. $70

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Taste 2021 Sobon Estate Zinfandel Amador County Rocky Top, 2021 SEGHESIO Zinfandel Sonoma County Old Vine and 2021 Brown Estate Chaos Theory Zinfandel Blend at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, December 21st. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 92 Points
Sobon Estate Zinfandel Amador County Rocky Top 2021

Jammy and plump, this Zin shows dark cherry, licorice and cracked pepper flavors, ending with a rich, generous finish. Drink now through 2030. 1,897 cases made. $20

Wine Spectator 94 Points
SEGHESIO Zinfandel Sonoma County Old Vine 2021

That rare Zinfandel with finesse and briary fruit, offering wild berry, mocha and black licorice flavors that gather richness and zest toward lively tannins. Drink now through 2031. —T.F. $40

2021 Brown Estate Chaos Theory Zinfandel Blend

Winemaker Notes: The 2021 Chaos Theory has a dark garnet core with a ruby rim and an intense bouquet of ripe red fruits, dark cherry, plum, and licorice. Secondary notes of leather, toasted marshmallow, wild herbs, and florals, followed by hints of caramel apple, Asian spices, heavy cream, tobacco, and cocoa nibs. On the palate, it is ripe, savory, and concentrated with silky mouthfeel, zesty acidity, and sweet tannins. 50% Zinfandel, 40% Primitivo, 5% Petite Sirah, 5% Tempranillo. $42

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Vin de France Petit Royal Les Caves de Seyssel Brut

Importer Notes: The sparkling wines of Seyssel indulge in the same méthode traditionnelle production techniques used for Champagne, and Lambert de Seyssel takes it one step further by aging the Royal Seyssel for at least three years before disgorging it, giving the wine more complex, distinguished aromas and a fine perlage than the competition, which ages only the legal minimum of nine months. The house style is also quite dry (low dosage) in order to preserve the character of the grape varieties. $24 Our Price $19.99 (Arrives GT 12/21/23)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Dr. H. Thanisch Müller-Burggraef Riesling Kabinett Mosel Bernkasteler Badstube 2020

Brilliant aromas of jasmine, peach, lime and slate mark this exuberant Riesling. Charming, harmonious and vibrant, with a long aftertaste echoing the fruit, floral and mineral notes. Drink now through 2028. 1,000 cases made, 750 cases imported. $24 Our Price $21.99 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

2020 Chateau de Marsannay Burgundy

Producer Notes: Aromas of blackcurrant and cherry, accompanied by a beautiful spicy note. Crisp and fresh on the palate with a very beautiful expression of red fruit accompanied by fine and elegant tannins. The finish is as gourmet as you could wish. $70 Our Price $48.99 (Arrives GT this afternoon)

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 (Back in stock GT 12/20/23)

Wine Spectator 90 Points
Bodegas Beronia Rioja Reserva 2018

A classy red, fresh and fragrant, with notes of bay leaf, pepper and tar-tinged mineral accenting crushed cherry and blackberry fruit flavors. Shows good focus, with lightly chalky tannins in a medium-bodied frame. Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Graciano. Drink now through 2026. 50,000 cases made, 3,500 cases imported. $25 Our Price $17.49 (Arrives GT this afternoon)

2019 Marques de Tomares Rioja Crianza

Producer Notes: Marqués de Tomares Crianza screams Rioja with its saddle nose and dark cherry and licorice aromas. This wine over delivers with Classic charm and old world depth while hugging ripe fruit and purple flowers. Enough funk and rustic charm to satisfy traditionalists with enough ripeness and body to balance the velvety texture. Always tobacco. $21 Our Price $18.49 (Available GT)

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Taste 2022 J Vineyards California Pinot Noir, 2018 Merryvale Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and 2020 Ghost Block Oakville Estate Cabernet at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, December 22nd. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2022 J Vineyards California Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: Smooth, balanced and approachable, J Multi-Appellation Pinot Noir offers a polished, fruit-driven take on this classic variety. Flavorful notes of dark plum, black cherry, boysenberry and baked strawberry are nicely layered on the plush palate with hints of cocoa dust, clove and toasted almond. $24

Wine Spectator 93 Points
2018 Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

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

2020 Ghost Block Oakville Estate Cabernet

Winemaker Notes: This wine offers a harmonious of rich dark fruit, blackberries and plums with hints of violet, chocolate, vanilla and spices with aromatics on the palate. Fine grained tannins frame the velvety mid-palate with a crisp lingering finish. The wine is well structured and complex and will pair perfectly with grilled lamb chops. $75

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Taste 2020 FEL Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, 2020 Thread Feathers Stags Leap Cabernet and 2019 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Napa at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, December 23rd. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

Wine Enthusiast 94 Points
2020 FEL Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

Show stopping fruit and complexity animate this full-bodied but creamily smooth, elegant wine. It's soft around the edges but deep in the middle, oozing raspberries, black cherries, basil and black tea. Although blended from different parts of the valley, this bottle competes well with FEL's vineyard designates. $43

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 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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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