December Holiday Hours

Grape Tray
Tuesday, 12/26 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday, 12/27 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday, 12/28 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday, 12/29 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday, 12/30 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM

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Vintage Reserve Wine
Tuesday, 12/26 12:00 noon – 6:00 PM
Wednesday, 12/27 12:00 noon – 6:00 PM
Thursday, 12/28 12:00 noon – 6:00 PM
Friday, 12/29 12:00 noon – 6:00 PM
Saturday, 12/30 12:00 noon – 4:00 PM

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Taste 2021 Roar Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, 2020 Chateau de Marsannay Burgundy and 2020 Whitehall Lane Napa Cabernet Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine for $15 per person.
Tuesday, December 26th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2021 Roar Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: Fruit-driven and wrapped in leather and sagebrush, this blend melds elements from all of our vineyards. This approachable Pinot integrates the best of north and south within the Santa Lucia Highlands. $55

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

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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Taste Chardonnay: 2018 Byron Nielson, 2021 Sonoma Cutrer Les Pierres and 2021 Pahlmeyer Napa Valley at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Wednesday, December 27th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Decanter 92 Points
2018 Byron Nielson Vineyard Chardonnay

Slightly restrained nose with nice stone fruit and floral character underneath. Light lemon sherbet notes with toasted pineapple on the palate, pleasingly dry and youthful finish. $30

2021 Sonoma-Cutrer Les Pierres Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: Les Pierres’ beautiful, pale straw color catches the light as you pour it into your glass. As we would expect, this vintage offers classic aromas of lemon zest, wet stone, key lime pie, citrus blossom and bright, lemon curd. A beautifully balanced mouthfeel combines with Sonoma-Cutrer’s signature citrus-laced acidity that gives the wine its sleek, focused palate structure with a nice oak integration from the 12 months spent in French oak barrels. Flavor notes of lime, mineral, roasted nuts, and sweet spices dissolve into the light, creamy palate. $46

James Suckling 98 Points
2021 Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Chardonnay

Sliced cooked apples with biscuit and pie crust undertones, as well as hints of spices with some salted caramel. Hints of apricot. Full-bodied with a firmness and depth. Creamy-textured phenolics and great length. One of the best I have tasted. It is rich and flavorful, yet it shows great depth and length. Drinkable, but better in two or three years. $115

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Taste new releases from Aperture Cellars at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Thursday, December 28th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2022 Aperture Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc

The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is blended with 16% Sémillon and was matured mostly in French oak (33% new) plus a smaller portion of cement tank. It's the first vintage where so much Sémillon has been included—since acquiring Farrow Ranch in 2021, winemaker Jesse Katz has been able to add some of that site's fruit into his Aperture wines. It has alluring tones of white peach, kumquat, meringue and crème brûlée on the nose, plus wafts of floral perfume. The medium-bodied palate offers expansive flavors that segue from candied citrus to guava and vanilla pots de crème. It has a luxuriously satiny texture balanced by focused acidity and a very long, flavorful finish. $45

Wine Advocate 95+
2021 Aperture Cellars Bordeaux Red Blend

The 2021 Bordeaux Red Blend is the first iteration to include a significant amount of fruit from Farrow Ranch, Aperture's latest vineyard acquisition. It's a blend of 44% Merlot, 27% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and 9% Cabernet Franc and was matured for 18 months in 50% new French oak. It has slowly unfurling scents of red and black currants, chocolate-covered cherries, integrated new oak spices, tobacco and tapenade. The palate is particularly elegant, balancing concentrated, nuanced flavors with a frame of velvety tannins and vibrant acidity that calls you back to the glass. 5,270 cases produced. $65

Wine Advocate 96 Points
2021 Aperture Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Aperture's estate vineyard in Healdsburg and their newest vineyard acquisition, Farrow Ranch in Alexander Valley, plus some of the original single vineyards in the Aperture program like Oliver Ranch. It is blended with 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc and was matured for 16 months in 55% new French oak. It has vibrant, layered aromas of blueberry compote, lavender, aniseed, milk chocolate and nutmeg with undertones of cast iron and tobacco leaves. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled, pairing deep flavors with a weightless feel due to its bright acidity and velvety tannins. It has a long, latent finish and deserves 3-5 years in bottle. 4,480 cases produced. $80

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James Suckling 94 Points
Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva 2020

Clean and focused with blackberry and dark-bark aromas and flavors. Medium to full body and firm, creamy tannins with length and focus. Lavender and berries with chocolate undertones. Very polished and flavorful. Drink or hold. $20 Our Price $17.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuveé Carneros 2015

An opulent, decadent style, with raspberry, poached pear, roasted nut and yeast roll flavors that build richness on the spicy finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Drink now. $60 Our Price $39.99 (Available GT and VRW)

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 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)

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 Our Price $34.99 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Pierre Péters Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Cuvée de Réserve NV (2023)

Firm and minerally up front, with well-honed acidity and notes of smoke, chalk and oyster shell transitioning as they're integrated with a creamy range of crunchy pear, ripe green apple, pink grapefruit pith and almond skin flavors, which expand through the midpalate and lightly spiced finish. Elegant, but with good complexity and focus throughout. Disgorged May 2023. Drink now through 2028. 2,165 cases imported. $75 Our Price $66.99 (Available GT and VRW)

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Taste Cabernet Sauvignon: 2021 Austin Hope Paso Robles, 2021 Caymus Napa and 2019 Silver Oak Alexander Valley at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Friday, December 29th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2021 Austin Hope Paso Robles Cabernet

Winemaker Notes: The Austin Hope Cabernet displays a beautiful ruby hue. Enticing aromas of fresh black cherry, burnt sugar and a slight smokiness fill your glass. On the palate, flavors evolve with vanilla foam, ripe dark fruit, roasted coffee & nuances of spice. This full-bodied wine is rounded out with smooth supple tannins that are brightened with a touch of acidity to balance this crowd pleasing Cabernet Sauvignon. $70

2021 Caymus Napa Cabernet

Producer Notes: Caymus has a signature style that is dark in color, with rich fruit and ripe tannins – as approachable in youth as in maturity. Since its founding in 1972, Caymus has become renowned as a consistent leader in the production of Napa Valley Cabernet. Grapes for this wine are farmed in a range of Napa’s sub-appellations – from Coombsville to Calistoga – with fruit from the valley floor creating lushness and the hillsides providing backbone. Diversification enables us to make the best possible wine in a given year, featuring layered, lush aromas and flavors, including cocoa, cassis and ripe berries. $90

2019 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet

Winemaker Notes: The 2019 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has notes of red cherry, raspberry, blackberry, iris, vanilla and clove. Ruby in color, this elegant wine has great acidity and lift on the mid-palate. Black currant and warm baking spices linger with a deep and fruity finish. It will provide drinking pleasure through 2047 given proper cellaring. Blend: 95.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, 1.9% Merlot, 0.4% Petit Verdot. $95

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Two Tastings Today-Champagne!

#1. Taste Vin de France Petit Royal Les Caves de Seyssel Brut, Bollinger Brut Special Cuvée NV and Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, December 30th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

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

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

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne NV

Sleek and finely knit, with a lovely, satiny mousse gliding across the palate, carrying flavors of white raspberry, peach skin, blanched almond and oyster shell. Long and mouthwatering, with hints of ground ginger and pink grapefruit pith on the elegant finish. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Disgorged spring 2022. Drink now through 2028 $99

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#2. Taste Krug Grande Cuvee 168th eme at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Limited: We will open one magnum for the day.
Saturday, December 30th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

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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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