On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

2019 Saddleback Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: On the nose, pleasing aromas of cassis, blackberry, bay leaf, cocoa, light oak and Earl Grey leaves. On the palate, it approaches with a velvety, silky tannins with a full mouthfeel. The well balanced minerality ends with a highly structured, but soft, strawberry, pomegranate and coffee finish. The tannins smoothly grip you on the first taste, but pleasantly soften into a gracefully spectacular wine. $80

Wine Advocate 93 Points
2018 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino

The Altesino 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is an especially graceful wine with tart fruit, clean mineral lines and a mid-weight approach. Like other wines from this vintage, the 2018s are more accessible than, say, the 2016s or the 2013s. You can drink the wine soon or choose to cellar it a bit longer. The young tannins are nearly fully approachable, and the wine ends with dryness and ample freshness. $75

************

Taste 2019 Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico Riserva Berardo, 2020 Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico Il Poggiale Riserva and 2019 MASSOLINO Barolo at Vintage Reserve Wine for $15 per person.
Tuesday, February 27th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Advocate 93 Points
Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico Riserva Berardo 2019

A certified organic wine, the 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva Berardo offers bright aromas of dried cherry, forest berry, sweet spice and cinnamon. With fruit from beautiful Castelnuovo Berardenga on the southern side of the appellation, this wine shows medium-rich concentration and good texture with savory oak-driven elements. $45

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico Il Poggiale Riserva 2020

Rich and evoking cherry, raspberry, iron and spice flavors, this red is backed by vibrant acidity and dense tannins. Balanced and brimming with energy on the long finish. Should hit its stride in two to three more years. Sangioveto, Canaiolo and Ciliegiolo. Best from 2025 through 2043. 1,100 cases made, 800 cases imported. $39

Wine Spectator 93 Points
MASSOLINO Barolo 2019

This red straddles the line between power and elegance, featuring delicate flavors of strawberry, cherry and rose hip, plus notes of earth, tar and iron. Finishes with more power and the grip of refined tannins, offering terrific balance and length. Best from 2026 through 2043. 7,080 cases made, 2,400 cases imported. $56

**************

Two Tastings on Wednesday!

#1. Taste Pinot Noir: 2021 Walter Hansel Cahill Lane, 2021 Walter Hansel Winery Cuvee Alyce and 2021 The Prisoner Sonoma Coast at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.

Wednesday, February 28th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Vinous 94 Points
2021 Walter Hansel Cahill Lane Pinot Noir

The 2021 Pinot Noir Cahill Lane Vineyard is a nuanced, sensual wine. Bright red/purplish fruit, blood orange, spice, mint and hard candy infuse the 2021 with lovely depth. This mid-weight, pliant Pinot is a real charmer. Bright acids and sweet floral accents are wonderful complements to a core of Russian River fruit. $46

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

2021 The Prisoner Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: A mix of Russian River and Carneros AVAs produces this classic Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir with notes of ripe cranberry, pomegranate, and cherry with clove spice. The palate is driven by rhubarb and cherry with an underlying minerality and spice, which culminates with soft tannins and an elegant, balanced acidity. $50

*************

#2. Taste Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir. Steve Chubon will be at VRW from 4:30-5:30 PM to walk us through the following wines:
2021 SBC "Cooper Jaxon" Pinot Noir,
2020 Sta. Rita Hills AVA Blend Pinot Noir
2021 SLH AVA Blend Pinot Noir
2021 Cortada Alta SVD from SLH
2020 Kessler-Haak SVD from Sta. Rita Hills

**************

Taste Pride Mountain Vineyard Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Thursday, February 29th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

The Wine Independent 93 Points
2022 Pride Mountain Vineyard Chardonnay

The 2022 Chardonnay has delicately played, soft-spoken scents of apple butter, lemongrass, and persimmons with hints of sea spray, marzipan, and beeswax. The medium to full-bodied palate is elegant and refreshing, with a silky texture and a pure, citrusy lift on the finish. $48

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points
2021 Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot

Lots of red plums, darker chocolate, and tobacco notes emerge from the 2021 Merlot, a beautifully textured, medium-bodied Pomerol look-alike that has fine tannins, notable purity, and a great finish. It's beautifully done and an utterly delicious, satisfying Merlot to drink over the coming decade. $69

2021 Pride Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Blackberry, currant and plum lead to seductive flavors of cedar box and summer savory. The tannins are mouthfilling and luxurious in the way that only mountain fruit can achieve. The balance is precise, offering enough tension to intrigue the senses and welcoming you to another sip. The acid that so elegantly frames the richness of this wine will allow it to age gracefully and completely. Drink early and often but be sure to lay down enough to appreciate its progression for the next 10 – 25 years. 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7.5% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 1.5% Cabernet Franc $82

*************

Wine Spectator 92 Points
SEAN MINOR Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Signature Series 2022

A nice streamlined, mineral-tinged version, with racy acidity running underneath blood orange and raspberry coulis flavors, while savory and hibiscus hints chime in on the finish, where the fruit lingers prettily. Drink now through 2028. 3,000 cases made. From California.—James Molesworth $28 Our Price $19.99 (Arrives GT this afternoon)

Wine Spectator 92
LEMELSON Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Thea's Selection 2021

Brisk and generous, with snappy cherry and pomegranate flavors highlighted by oolong tea and savory spices. Concludes with fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2031. 10,000 cases made. From Oregon.—Tim Fish $40 Our Price $29.99 (Arrives GT this afternoon)

Jeb Dunnuck 94+ Points
2021 Chappellet Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Signature

Leading off the Cabernet Sauvignon releases, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Signature is a larger production release and is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon and nearly equal portions of Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Merlot. Smoky black fruits, graphite, crushed stone, and tobacco notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, powerful 2021 offering ample mid-palate depth, a layered, textured, balanced mouthfeel, building tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It's a brilliant bottle of wine that will benefit from short-term cellaring and have over two decades of longevity. $85 (Arrives GT 2/28/24)

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
2019 TOR Tierra Roja Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

Coming from a steep hillside vineyard and red soils on the east side of Oakville, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Tierra Roja Vineyard delivers lots of red and black fruits as well as iron, new leather, dried flowers, and lead pencil aromas and flavors. Gorgeous on the palate, with full-bodied richness, a great mid-palate, supple tannins, and just a great mix of elegance and richness, this is classic 2019 all the way. Drink bottles any time over the coming 15-20 years. $175

*************

Taste 2021 Hourglass HG III Proprietary Red, 2021 The Prisoner Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and 2021 PAHLMEYER Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Jayson at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, March 1st. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2021 Hourglass HG III Proprietary Red

Winemaker Notes: The 2021 HGIII is the most complex and layered vintage to date. Explosive aromatics of blackberry, Bing cherry and pomegranate intertwine with savory layers of pink peppercorn, fennel and crushed rose petals. The palate presents rich tones of crème de cassis, black cherry and baker’s chocolate, which evolve into secondary characteristics of red currant, vanilla bean and pipe tobacco. A beautiful balance of precise natural acidity with a weighted yet broad, silky mouthfeel. $105/magnum

2021 The Prisoner Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: On the nose, blackberry, currant, and plum are layered with dried, crushed herbs and licorice. On the palate, cedar, vanilla, nutmeg, and toasted coconut lead as plum and dried blackberries culminate in a lush, full mouthfeel and a lengthy, balanced finish. $60

Wine Spectator 93 Points
PAHLMEYER Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Jayson 2021

Frankly ripe, offering an enticing gush of açaí, blackberry and black currant compote notes that roll through, carried by warm humus, licorice root and singed alder notes. A muscular style, this is defined, with subtle, latent energy through the finish. Best from 2025 through 2037. —J.M. $100

**************

Taste 2021 RÉSONANCE Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, 2020 Thread Feathers Stags Leap Cabernet and 2018 Altamura Napa Cabernet Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, March 2nd. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

Wine Spectator 94 Points
RÉSONANCE Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2021

Precise and elegantly structured, with detailed raspberry, savory tea and crushed stone accents that gather richness and tension toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2031. 10,870 cases made.—T.F. $40

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

Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent 96+ Points
2018 Altamura Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2018 Altamura Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and is deep garnet-purple in color. It slowly unfurls to reveal intense scents of blackcurrant cordial, blackberry preserves, and dried lavender, plus suggestions of crushed rocks and black olives. Full-bodied, the palate delivers vibrant, lively black fruit and mineral layers, supported by velvety tannins, finishing long and fragrant. Really different. $135

*****************

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