On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

2019 Caymus Special Selection Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Each year, we set aside the best barrels of our Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley to produce Special Selection. Distinguished by extremely fine, velvety tannins and enjoyable upon release or with aging. A wine of structure with intense concentration of supple flavors and dark fruits. Special Selection is the only wine in the world honored twice as Wine Spectator magazine’s “Wine of the Year. $225

Vinous 97 Points
2019 Robert Craig Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain) is another stellar wine from Robert Craig. Bright and incisive, with tons of energy, the Howell Mountain Cabernet delivers the goods, big time. A rush of inky red/purplish fruit, rose petal, lavender, menthol, spice and crushed rocks build into a crescendo of aromas and flavors that dazzles. This deep, vivid Cabernet hits all the right notes. Superb. $125

Wine Spectator 94 Points
Ridge Zinfandel Paso Robles Benito Dusi Dusi Ranch 2021

Deeply structured and simmering with intensity, this Zin remains focused and refined, with blackberry, briar patch and grilled anise flavors that gather tension toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2033. —T.F. $40

Wine Spectator 94 Points
Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2021

Toasty, meaty and inviting, this fresh red shows an understated, savory side, with notes of singed spices, mesquite, wet earth and fresh tobacco leaf flanking a silky range of plum and warm cherry compote flavors. This channels its terroir, with a round feel held in check by refined tannins, while the finish is lined with cool minerality and heavy iron. Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise, Vaccarèse, Terret Blanc, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul de Pinet, Bourboulenc, Picardan and Roussanne. Drink now through 2030. 3,470 cases made. $102

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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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2023 Long Meadow Ranch Sauvignon Blanc

Winemaker Notes: A relatively long and slightly cooler growing season led to beautiful well balanced Sauvignon Blanc fruit with a pleasing natural acidity. The 2023 opens with lemongrass, pomelo, and kiwi berry on the nose. Emerging on the palate is grapefruit zest and passion fruit with a fine minerality on the finish. Crisp, clean, elegant and mouthwatering, the always versatile Sauvignon Blanc is prime to enjoy and share. $30 Our Price $TBD (Arrives GT this afternoon)

Wine Spectator 90 Points
St.-Cosme Côtes du Rhône 2022

A hefty version of Côtes du Rhône, with a lot of stuffing, showing ripe black plum and black currant flavors layered with black pepper and grilled rosemary. Sturdy tannins hem in the creamy palate, with a kick of bitter mineral and graphite through the medium-length finish. Very solid. Drink now through 2028. 27,000 cases imported. $21 Our Price $15.99 (Arrives GT this afternoon)

2022 Ghost Block MorgaenLee Sauvignon Blanc

Winemaker Notes: Beautiful aromatics of grapefruit and white peach jump from the glass followed by subtle tropical fruit notes of guava and papaya. $25 (Back in stock GT this afternoon)

Wine Spectator 94 Points
CARLISLE Zinfandel Sonoma Valley Pagani Ranch 2021

Brooding and dark, yet light on its feet, this Zinfandel overflows with flavors and aromas of blackberry and plum, licorice, black pepper and briar patch, finishing with big but smooth tannins. Drink now through 2032. —T.F. $54 (Arrives GT 1/26/24)

Wine Spectator 95 Points
Renato Corino Barolo del Comune di La Morra 2019

This vibrant and balanced red starts out silky, featuring pure strawberry, cherry, rose and mineral flavors, then builds nicely to a long, expansive finish, where flashes of earth and underbrush emerge. Shows excellent potential. Best from 2026 through 2043. 1,000 cases made, 30 cases imported. $53 Our Price $42.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 94 Points
CARLISLE Zinfandel Russian River Valley Carlisle Vineyard 2021

A dynamic Zinfandel, briary but polished, with expressive raspberry and dark cherry flavors accented by dried sage, orange zest and savory pepper. Ends with zesty tannins. Drink now through 2033. —T.F. $54 (Arrives GT 1/26/24)

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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 Review)

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 Review)

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