On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Wine Spectator 95 Points
Oddero Barbaresco Gallina 2020

Elegant and well-integrated, offering strawberry, wild cherry, floral, licorice and tobacco aromas and flavors. Succulent and harmonious, remaining fresh and resonant as this lingers on the long, mineral-infused aftertaste. Best from 2026 through 2042. 800 cases made. $70

Wine Spectator 91 Points
Kanzler Chardonnay Russian River Valley Walker Station 2021

Mouthwatering and crisp, with green apple, pomelo, pineapple and pear flavors that are vibrant and fresh, plus details of white flowers, sea salt minerality and a hint of fresh ginger. Drink now. 178 cases made. $64

AUBERT 2022 CHARDONNAY POWDER HOUSE RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

Winemaker Notes: "The 2022 Powder House effortlessly balances intense, driving minerality and tension with rich citrus and pome fruit character. The ancient seabed on which these vines are planted is transmitted through the wine into a powdered seashell and slate minerality that is counterbalanced by rich tart au citron and white nectarine oils. Heady orange blossom and lilac aromas unfurl with time, and a phenolic streak and crunchy acidity form a textural counterpoint to the natural sweetness presented by the vintage. Enjoyable today, the powerful structure of this wine will carry for 10 to 15 years in the cellar with ease. The wine is slightly hazy showing our commitment to minimal intervention winemaking. CA Market Price $162-$200

Jeb Dunnuck 96+ Points
2019 Scarecrow M. Etain

While the Grand Vin gets all the attention, don’t miss the 2019 M. Étain. This cuvee offers so much pleasure, and it also has a unique style all its own. Based on 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 4% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, its deep purple color is followed by a great bouquet of cassis, violets, leafy herbs, black olive, and crushed stone. Full-bodied, it has a terrific mix of richness and freshness, ripe tannins, and a great finish. While it’s a second wine at this address, it’s as good as just about everyone else’s top cuvée. $250

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Taste 2022 Margerum M5 Santa Barbara County, 2021 Château de St.-Cosme Gigondas and 2021 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, March 7th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 93 Points
2022 Margerum M5 Santa Barbara County

Offering polished cherry and cinnamon flavors accented by garrigue and cracked pepper, this sleek red finishes with refined tannins. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise and Cinsault. Drink now through 2032. 3,486 cases made. $32

Wine Spectator 94 Points
2021 Château de St.-Cosme Gigondas

Powerful, with steeped plum and cherry coulis merging with potpourri and charred garrigue on a ripe, lush palate. Packs a wall of iron that provides a ballast for the ripe fruit, while refined tannins build in intensity. Long and complex, with a gorgeous expression of place. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2040. 930 cases imported. $65

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

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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Massolino Langhe DOC Nebbiolo 2021

Winery Notes: Appearance: garnet red with variable intensity depending on the vintage. Bouquet: delicate and pleasant with predominant notes of raspberry and violet; with age it develops very refined and elegant secondary scents. Flavour: an elegant and complete wine with a very charming appeal. We recommend decanting and enjoying it at a temperature of 18-20°C. Ideal throughout a meal but at its best when served with rich, tasty dishes, ranging from fresh-egg pasta with meat or vegetable sauces to grilled or roasted red meats. It is also excellent with soft and delicate blue cheeses. $35 Our Price $29.99 (Available GT)

Wine Spectator 94 Points
Oddero Barolo 2019

Packed with strawberry, cherry, rose, tar and tobacco flavors, this solid red is balanced and built for aging, with excellent length. There's a graceful feel and the lasting impression is ripe fruit, so be patient. Best from 2027 through 2043. 2,740 cases made. $60 (Arrives GT 3/8/24)

Wine Spectator 92 Points
DRY CREEK Sauvignon Blanc Dry Creek Valley 2022

Fragrant, with notes of lemon basil and lemongrass up front, showing hints of celery seed that complement the generous core of pear, peach and lemon-lime flavors. Reveals hints of tropical fruit and fresh-grated ginger on the crisp finish, where the wine gains momentum. Drink now. —M.W. $16 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
THE HESS COLLECTION Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Allomi 2021

Boysenberry and açaí berry fruit gives this a slightly exotic profile, but it's finely stitched with apple wood, sassafras and singed anise notes to keep it honest. The polished finish lets a chaparral note chime through the flashy fruit. This should have fans for sure. Drink now through 2036. 66,186 cases made.—James Molesworth. $40 Our Price $32.95 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 94 Points
Kanzler Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2021

Ripe, with deliciously succulent waves of plum, boysenberry and mulberry fruit rolling through, laced with iris and hibiscus notes and ending with light anise and apple wood hints on the finish. Packs a nice finishing kick of fruit at the end, too, while keeping a racy edge. Best from 2024 through 2032. 1,050 cases made. $64 (Arrives GT 3/8/24)

Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points
2021 Realm The Bard Cabernet

Lastly, the 2021 The Bard checks in as 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah. This beauty has a killer bouquet of cassis, spring flowers, graphite, chalky minerality, and violets. This carries to a full-bodied, seamless, silky, flawlessly balanced effort revealing fine tannins, a good sense of freshness, and a thrilling finish. $180 (Arrives GT 3/8/24)

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Taste 2021 Exit West Proprietary Red Blend Estate Red Hills, 2019 Saddleback Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon and 2021 Chappellet Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Signature at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, March 8th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

San Francisco Wine Panel 93 Points
2021 Exit West Proprietary Red Blend Estate Red Hills

This is a delightfully successful Bordeaux-esque blend that goes down with the polish of a much more expensive wine. The aromas are elegantly focused, and the scents of black raspberry, dark sour cherry, blueberry and boysenberry fruit rise above others of sweet baking spice, cedar, vanilla and an emerging hint of star anise. It is beautifully polished on the palate, where the tannins are notable yet never intrusive, and the pretty oak spice notes seem quietly luxurious. The finish is long and satisfying, and if this wine lacks the depth of great Napa Cabernet it is a pure pleasure to drink, especially with food. Expect another twelve to eighteen months of positive evolution. 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Petite Sirah, 16% Cabernet Franc, 14% Merlot and 7 Petite Verdot. 672 cases produced. $35

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

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

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Taste 2021 LEMELSON Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Thea's Selection, 2021 Loring Wine Company Cortada Alta Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir and 2019 Ramey Claret Red at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, March 9th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

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

2021 Loring Wine Company Cortada Alta Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: The most structured of our 2021 Pinots, the Cortada Alta still manages to be as approachable as a puppy wagging its tail. Soaring dark berry aromas with just a touch of earthiness. The dark berries are echoed in the palate, with nice hints of loamy earth and some savory herbs and spices. This is a wine that screams to be paired with grilled meats. Like a really firm hug, you’ll feel comforted by this wine. $60

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2019 Ramey Claret Red

The 2019 Claret North Coast Red Wine is a killer value, with great lift and freshness throughout. Made from 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah, and the rest Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, the majority of the fruit was sourced from Jericho Canyon. Pouring a youthful purple/red, it is lifted with aromas of graphite, fresh black cherry, cedar, and pine needles. Full-bodied but lifted, it offers ripe tannins, fresh acidity, and notes of fresh red and black fruit, pressed flowers, and turned soil earthiness on the finish. It's drinking well now but is certainly worth cellaring over the next 10 or more years. It’s a great value. $50

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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