On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

James Suckling 98 Points
TENUTA DELL'ORNELLAIA 2020 ORNELLAIA

Alluring aromas of lead pencil and currants with crushed stone and iodine. Full-bodied with hemmed in tannins that are tight and focused. Very fresh and energetic with wonderful length and intensity for this vintage. Needs four or five years to come together. Better in 2028 and onwards. $300

James Suckling 93 Points
Taittinger Brut Champagne Prélude Grands Crus NV

This has attractive notes of hazelnuts, pastries, honey, figs and apple tart. Lots of flavor with a medium body and fine bubbles. Deliciously layered. I like the praline and honeycomb notes. 50% chardonnay and 50% pinot noir from Grand Cru vineyards, with at least 5 years on the lees. Drink now. $90

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Taste 2022 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas, Blanc, 2022 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Rouge and 2019 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Vineyard at Vintage Reserve Wine for $15 per person.
Tuesday, January 23rd. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points
2022 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Blanc

A delicate shade of yellow in the glass, this Grenache Blanc-led blend of seven white Rhône varieties is broad yet crisp on the nose, showing white flowers, Asian pear and jicama. The texture is both chalky and steely on the palate, where citrus spray and pome fruit flavors align. $22

James Suckling 91 Points
2022 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Rouge

Raspberries, fresh cherries, redcurrants and bay leaves on the nose follow through to a medium body with finely grained tannins. Suave and playful with bright acidity, crunchy fruit and a fresh, fruity finish. 54% syrah, 29% grenache, 13% mourvedre, 3% counoise and 1% terret noir. $22

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. $120

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Taste 2022 Terras Gauda Abadia de San Campio Albarino, 2020 Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva and 2020 Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri-Sassicaia at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $25 per person.
Wednesday, January 24th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Terras Gauda Abadia de San Campio Albarino 2022

Winemaker Notes: The 2022 Abadia de San Campio clearly displays the unique characteristics of the Galician terroir. Clean aromas of ripe pineapple and tropical fruit are accompanied by delicate hints of pear and golden apples. Perfectly balanced on the palate, well-integrated acidity and a soft creaminess provide by the sur lie aging make this a wine luscious and highly appetizing. Albariño’s characteristic tropical aromas are especially vibrant with this vintage and culminate nicely in a long, lingering finish. $18

Wine Spectator 90 Points
Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva 2020

Leads with aromas of earth, tomato leaf and asparagus, followed by flavors of cherry, plum and loam. Dense and lively, with a complex, lingering finish. Rustic and savory, yet distinctive. Drink now through 2033. 150,000 cases made, 24,000 cases imported. $27

Wine Spectator 97 Points
Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri-Sassicaia 2020

Complex aromas and flavors of black currant, blackberry, iron, sweet tobacco and Mediterranean herbs are the hallmarks of this elegant, tensile red, which is already revealing plenty, yet still feels reserved, as though there were many more facets to be discovered. Superb harmony and freshness prevail, ending with a long aftertaste. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2026 through 2045. 23,300 cases made, 5,300 cases imported. $275

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Taste Caymus Family wines at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, January 25th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2020 Emmolo Napa Merlot

Winemaker Notes: This well-balanced and darkly colored Emmolo Napa Valley Merlot evokes the scents of saddle leather, coffee and plum, with traces of smokiness amidst its rich fruit. A smooth entry on the palate leads into ripe flavors of plums, prunes and cocoa, balanced by acidity and a grippy tannin character. On the finish: a harmony of fresh earthiness, smoky notes and cocoa's lingering, inviting warmth. $55

2021 Quilt Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Dark plum in color with exuberant aromas of dark cherry strudel, ripe blackberry, and cocoa nibs. Bold and opulent flavors of boysenberry jam, dark chocolate, and Malabar plum with a hint of clove. This Cabernet Sauvignon is elegant on the palate, with strong acidity and a long, smooth finish accompanied by velvety tannins. $55

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

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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 Our Price $12.99 (Available GT and VRW)

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 Our Price $19.95 (Back in stock GT 1/24/24)

2019 William Harrison Simpatico Rutherford Proprietary Red

Winemaker Notes: Simpatico is the baby brother to our Reserve Cabernet, comprised of all estate grown fruit, and crafted with the same winemaking techniques as our primary wines. Aromatics burst with maraschino cherry, pencil shavings and caramel. The palate offers generous, youthful flavors of ripe boysenberry and tart plum, with notes of cedar and fresh brewed espresso. Its texture is medium-bodied but rich, with supple tannins and a finish. 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Merlot $50 (Back in stock GT 1/25/24) Delicious!

James Suckling 94 Points
Domaine de la Solitude Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2021

A stunning Chateauneuf with stacks of ripe blackberry fruit, generous body and concentrated fine tannins. Together with the pronounced minerality, they give this a stunning velvety texture right through the remarkably long intense finish for the challenging 2021 vintage. From field blend vineyards growing on 50% galet cobblestone soil and 50% sandy soil. Grenache is dominant, followed by syrah, but mourvedre, counoise and vaccarese also play an important role. From organically grown grapes. $53 Our Price $49.95 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Advocate 95 Points
2019 Vietti Barolo Castiglione

This is the most accessible Barolo from Vietti and the wine that casts the biggest net in terms of fruit sourcing from across many MGA sites. The 2019 Barolo Castiglione is a layered and generous wine that reflects the main takeaways offered by this very successful vintage. In fact, because this wine is not from a single site, it speaks more to the quality of the vintage than it does to any one specific vineyard. The Castiglione reveals generous richness and concentrated cherry fruit with dark saturation and good structure that comes from the thicker skins developed on Nebbiolo grapes this year. It concludes with a salty mineral note that adds focus and elegance. $75 Our Price $61.99 (Available GT and VRW)

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 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

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Taste 2021 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Land's Edge Vineyards, 2021 Roth Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and 2019 Groth Vineyards & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, January 26th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points
2021 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Land's Edge Vineyards

A rich ruby/purple, the 2021 Pinot Noir Land's Edge Vineyards is ripe and rounded with a perfume of blackberry preserve, damp forest floor, and toasted baking spice. Full-bodied, but with clean lift and without weight, it has dark berries, candied flowers, sweet, ripe tannins, and a soft texture. This is an immediate wine, but it has good freshness and the structure to drink over the next 4-5 years. $55

2021 Roth Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine of great complexity and structure. Upon opening, dark fruit aromas of black cherry and blueberry are intertwined with notes of forest floor and vanilla spice. Deep, layered flavors of blackberry, dark chocolate, and black tea are present on the palate. Soft tannins and a hints of mocha linger on the finish. $27

Jeb Dunnuck 94+
2019 Groth Vineyards & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

The deeper purple-hued 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is a terrific Oakville effort loaded with pure cassis fruit as well as notes of spicy oak, scorched earth, and tobacco. Classic Napa Cabernet in every way, it’s medium to full-bodied, has ripe, polished tannins, a terrific spine of acidity, and the balance and purity to evolve for 20-25 years if well stored. $170

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Taste Lanson Le Black Brut, DOMAINE CHANDON Blanc De Blancs Los Carneros By The Bay Carneros Vineyard Reserve and VILMART Brut Champagne Grand Cellier at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, January 27th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

James Suckling 92 Points
Lanson Le Black Brut

A fresh, balanced palate with green apples, pie crust and pears. Medium body, fine bubbles and a crisp, dry finish. Nice center palate. Four years on the lees. Drink now. $45

Wine Spectator 92 points
DOMAINE CHANDON Blanc De Blancs Los Carneros By The Bay Carneros Vineyard Reserve NV (2023)

Unabashedly California is style, with bold and generous baked apple, Meyer lemon and yeast roll flavors that build richness on the long finish. Drink now. 15,000 cases made.—Tim Fish $32

Wine Spectator 94 Points
VILMART Brut Champagne Grand Cellier NV (2023)

A sculpted Champagne, rich but still elegant, with well-honed acidity and a panoply of flavors set on the raw silklike mousse. Delivers grilled macadamia nut and biscuit, white cherry and nectarine fruit, crystallized honey, lime blossom, star anise and smoke accents. Long, salty finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Disgorged January 2023. Drink now through 2033. 700 cases imported. —Alison Napjus. $89

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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