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2022 Comtesse Marion Cinsault Rose, IGP Pays d'Oc, France

Winemaker Notes: The Comtesse Marion Rose is made from 100% Cinsault sourced from a village of Vias, on the Mediterranean coast that were grown in rocky volcanic soil on 25+ year old vines. The grapes were direct pressed, fermented and aged in stainless steel. Cinsault is a perfect variety for Rose, giving this wine its energetic pulse of minerality and juiciness. Flavors of rhubarb, pomegranate, and red cherries add depth and complexity to this delightfully refreshing French Rose. $14 Our Price $7.45 (Arrives GT 3/13/24) Delicious!

On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2022 Eisele Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

Bottled just a month before this tasting, the 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is another perfumed, exotic white revealing bright lime and honeyed citrus aromatics, some mint herb nuances, medium body, bright acidity, and a clean, focused finish. It has a more subtly rounded mid-palate compared to the 2021 but still plays in this vibrant, focused style beautifully. $135

Wine Spectator 94 Points
ROEDERER ESTATE Brut Anderson Valley L'ermitage 2017

Opulent yet detailed, with expressive pear and cherry flavors accented by roasted hazelnut, brioche and fresh ginger. Builds richness on the plush finish. Drink now through 2027. 3,650 cases made. —Tim Fish $75

Jeb Dunnuck 97+ Points
2018 Greer Cabernet Sauvignon

I was able to taste two vintages of the Greer Cabernet, both brilliant wines coming from a tiny three-acre vineyard on the Rutherford Bench. The wines have been made by Aaron Pott since 2001. Starting with the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, this beauty offers incredible purity and precision in its cassis, candied violets, green tobacco, and lead pencil-like aromatics, and it certainly wouldn't be out of place in a lineup of top First Growths from Bordeaux. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied and has a concentrated, rich mid-palate, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. This is classic 2018 in its purity, freshness, and structure. It needs 4-6 years of bottle age and will have 30 years of longevity. It will most likely merit a triple-digit rating at maturity. $225

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Taste 2020 Eisele Altagracia Cabernet Sauvignon and 2019 Scarecrow M. Etain Cabernet Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine for $35 per person. (Limited: We will open one bottle of each wine for this tasting)
Tuesday, March 12th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Advocate 92-94 Points
2020 Eisele Altagracia Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Altagracia was tasted as a finished blend barrel sample. Deep purple-black in color, it has a fragrant nose of potpourri and Indian spices over a core of kirsch, warm cassis and plum preserves, plus a waft of camphor. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is wonderfully juicy and perfumed, with alluring elegance and freshness, finishing long. $150

Jeb Dunnuck 96+ Points
2019 Scarecrow M. Etain Cabernet

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 Chardonnay: 2021 Talbott Sleepy Hollow Santa Lucia Highlands and 2022 AUBERT POWDER HOUSE RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY at Vintage Reserve Wine for $15 per person. (Limited: We will open two bottles of each wine for this tasting)
Wednesday, March 13th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points
2021 Talbott Sleepy Hollow Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay

Subtle aromas of lemon peel, Asian pear and honeysuckle draw the nose into this bottling from an iconic vineyard. A bright spritz of lime and a firm tension meet with underripe pineapple and sea salt on the palate. $45

2022 AUBERT 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

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Taste Napa Cabernet Sauvignon: 2021 THE HESS COLLECTION Napa Valley Allomi, 2021 Precision Wine Company Method Napa and 2019 Robert Craig Howell Mountain at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, March 14th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

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

2021 Precision Wine Company Method Napa Cabernet

Winemaker Notes: This cabernet sauvignon exhibits intense and complex aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, and dark cherry notes. Also hints of cedar, tobacco, vanilla, and chocolate. On the palate flavors of blackberry, black cherry, and plum. With some notes of cocoa, coffee, or mocha. $45

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

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Wine Spectator 92 Points
Château Fuissé Pouilly-Fuissé Tête de Cuvée 2020

A delicate white, featuring peach and lemon flavors that mingle with toasty oak. Vivid acidity sets the pace as the spice and fruit notes intertwine through the finish. Drink now through 2028. 8,333 cases made, 1,000 cases imported. $65 Our Price $49.99 (Available GT 3/13/24)

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)

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 (Available GT and VRW)

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 Our Price $19.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Vinous 94 Points
2021 Turley Dusi Zinfandel

The 2021 Zinfandel Dusi Vineyard, from vines planted in 1945, is a bold, potent Paso Robles Zinfandel. A blast of dark red cherry, plum, spice, menthol and licorice saturate the palate. This plush, explosive Zinfandel has a ton going on. There's real old-vine gravitas and texture here. What a gorgeous wine this is. $53 (Available GT and VRW 3/13/24)

2022 La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir offers aromas of raspberry, cranberry, black licorice, and exotic tea notes. On the palate, red cherry, plum, and boysenberry, subtle hints of espresso and cocoa nib underpin notes of spice and toast. Firm yet integrated tannins and bright acidity drives a long finish. $28 Our Price $24.99 (Arrives GT 3/13/24)

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2021 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Altagracia

Coming from more hillside parcels and slightly more volcanic soils, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Altagracia checks in as a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. Aged in 82% new barrels, it has a deeper ruby hue to go with a beautiful perfume of darker currants, red plums, toasted spices, new leather, and dried tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, it has plenty of classic Napa Valley fruit yet also brings beautiful balance, ripe tannins, and a great finish. There are roughly 1,200-1,500 cases produced. $160 (Arrives GT 3/12/24)

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Taste 2021 Pahlmeyer Jayson Napa Chardonnay, 2017 Venge Vineyards Silencieux Cabernet Sauvignon and 2021 Cakebread Napa Cabernet Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, March 15th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

James Suckling 93 Points
2021 Pahlmeyer Jayson Napa Chardonnay

Sliced cooked apple with some apple puree and apple blossom as well as lemon rind on the nose. Medium-bodied with creamy texture. Flint and mineral flavors. Good acidity and energy. Hints of fresh straw underneath. $60

Wine Enthusiast 94 Points
2017 Venge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Silencieux

This hearty wine is blended with 4% Petit Verdot. Grippy, rich and viscous, it has intense fruit flavors of plum and cassis, with supple, integrated tannins. The whole is a testament to good grapes and great winemaking, blending together seven sites across the valley. $60

2021 Cakebread Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: The wonderfully pure, pretty nose of our Cabernet Sauvignon is redolent of warm berry cobbler, with lovely toasted boysenberry and blackberry scents joined by hints of wild cherry, loamy earth and oak vanillin. On the supple, beautifully structured palate, the wine offers rich, vibrant blackberry, plum and black cherry flavors framed by perfectly integrated tannins and a long, savory finish. Delicious now, this elegantly sumptuous Cakebread Napa Cabernet Sauvignon will develop further nuance with another 5-7 years' bottle age. $75

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Taste Pinot Noir: 2022 SEAN MINOR Sonoma Coast Signature Series, 2021 Frank Family Carneros and 2021 Cattleya Wines Cuvee Number Eight Sonoma Coast at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, March 16th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

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

2021 Frank Family Carneros Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: A beautiful expression of the Carneros appellation, this Pinot Noir opens with lively aromas of strawberry, ripe red cherry, and a touch of baking spice. The palate is greeted with a juicy, full-bodied mouthfeel and refreshing, well-balanced acidity that lingers on the finish. $40

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
2021 Cattleya Wines Pinot Noir Cuvee Number Eight Sonoma Coast

A semi-opaque, deep ruby with a purple hint, the 2021 Pinot Noir Cuvee Number Eight takes on a darker profile, with wet stone, blackberry, pepper, and grilled rosemary. Full-bodied, it brings more structure, with ripe tannins, iron-rich earth, and kirsch as well as fresh lift on the finish. Drink 2025-2035. $65

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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