December Holiday Hours

Grape Tray
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

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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On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Vinous Media 100 Points
DuMOL MacIntyre Vineyard Russian River Valley Estate Pinot Noir 2021

The 2021 Pinot Noir MacIntyre Estate Vineyard is magnificent. Dark, plush and exceptionally vivid, the 2021 is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty. The mix of Calera and Swan clones yields an unctuous, rich Pinot that does not taste like a wine from sandy soils. The 2021 is sensational. I don't think I have ever tasted a wine like this before here. A rush of dark blue/purplish fruit, gravel, spice and menthol builds into the huge, structured finish. Unforgettable. $105

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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

Wine Advocate 95 Points
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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WOW 55% Off!
Wine Advocate 90 Points * 2022 Miraval Cotes de Provence Rose, Half Bottle

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. $15/375ml Our Price $6.75/375ml (Back in stock GT and VRW)

Wine Advocate 92 Points
2021 Catena Zapata Appellation La Consulta Malbec

The range of appellation wines from 2021 is very fresh and balanced, clean and precise, as can be seen in the juicy but serious 2021 Appellation La Consulta Malbec, which was produced with grapes from vines planted in 1996 on alluvial soils. This is still young and a little marked by the élevage in barrel, with spices and some creaminess, and it has the mineral sensation and fine tannins that this wine always has. It has black fruit and an earthy twist. 84,000 bottles produced. $22 Our Price $19.99 (Arrives GT this afternoon)

Wine Spectator 91 Points
Bodegas Izadi Rioja Reserva 2018

A polished red, layering supple tannins with an aromatic overtone of star anise, mocha and graphite. Fresh and medium-bodied, revealing black cherry coulis and fig cake notes, with a spiced finish. Drink now through 2027. 30,000 cases made, 7,000 cases imported. $22 Our Price $19.49 (Arrives GT 12/29/23)

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
2021 Walter Hansel Winery Pinot Noir Cuvee Alyce

Dark and enveloping, the 2021 Pinot Noir Cuvee Alyce is the richest offering in this lineup. Pouring a deep red/purple, it’s saturated with aromas of boysenberry liqueur, lavender, cedar, and licorice. Ample and full-bodied, it remains light on its feet, with mouthwatering lift, well-integrated, ripe tannins, and smoky incense on the back palate. Give it another year or two to shed its considerable baby fat and drink 2025-2035. $50 (Arrives GT 12/29/23)

Jeb Dunnuck 93-95 Points
2019 Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

Beautiful, sweet cassis and blue fruits as well as lots of violet and floral notions emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, a full-bodied, rich, concentrated barrel sample with wonderful purity of fruit, a good sense of freshness, and serious length on the finish. This promising, elegant yet powerful wine is going to shine with short-term bottle age and keep for two decades. $75 (Back in stock GT 12/29/23)

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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!

Saturday, December 30th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

#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.

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