WOW 67% Off! We purchased the remaining cases in the warehouse at a much lower cost resulting in a new price of $4.95

Wine Advocate 90 Points * 2022 Miraval Cotes de Provence Rose, Half Bottle

A blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Rolle and Syrah, sourced from vines planted on clay-limestone soils, the 2022 Cotes de Provence Rose reveals aromas of red berries, spices, peach, watermelon, spring flowers and pomegranate. Medium-bodied and elegantly oaky with a spicy touch, it’s fresh and fruity with a mouthwatering, elegant finish. This rosé benefits from the expertise of the Perrin family. $15/375ml Our Price $4.95/375ml (Back in stock GT 3/20/24)

On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
2014 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23 is a smoking effort from this team. Revealing a deep purple color and stunning notes of blackcurrants and black raspberries like fruit, it offers loads of spice, cedar and dried flower nuances, full-bodied richness, a ripe, full-bodied, majestic texture, beautiful tannin quality, and a great finish. This sensational 2014 has a rare mix of power and elegance and will keep for20-25 years. CA Market Price $275-$360

Wine Spectator 94 Points
Faust Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2021

Packed and broad in feel, with a ganache note draped over black currant, blackberry and steeped cherry. Licorice root and alder smoke flavors check in on the finish as the fruit pumps through, ending with a flash of violet. Hard to resist now, but this has some development ahead. Drink now through 2036. 50,000 cases made. $65

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points
2021 Alejandro Bulgheroni Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Lithology Napa Valley

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Lithology Napa Valley checks in as a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and a splash of Cabernet Franc coming from multiple terroirs throughout the valley. A gorgeous Cabernet, it has ripe red and black fruits as well as some tobacco and spicy, floral notes, medium to full body, ripe, velvety tannins, great mid-palate depth, and a great finish. $130

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

Taste 2018 Riverbench Brut Rosé Santa Maria Valley, 2017 ROEDERER ESTATE Brut Anderson Valley L'ermitage and 2013 Piper-Heidsieck Brut Champagne Rare at Vintage Reserve Wine for $20 per person. (Limited: We will open one bottle of each wine for this tasting)
Tuesday, March 19th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points
2018 Riverbench Brut Rosé Santa Maria Valley

Sparkling A slightly rusty shade of pink in the glass, this is a dynamic rosé bubbly. It starts with aromas of fermented watermelon, tangerine peel and rose hips, with a lingering sense of herb. The palate combines pink-fruit flavors with orange rind, proving easy-to-enjoy yet thought-provoking all at once. — Matt Kettmann $48

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

Wine Spectator 95 Points
Piper-Heidsieck Brut Champagne Rare 2013

An elegant, finessed Champagne, with the creamy mousse carrying a finely meshed yet concentrated range of blackberry puree and poached apricot flavors, plus blood orange peel, salted pistachio and aromatic accents of verbena, chalk and oyster shell. Shows mouthwatering acidity that carries the complex profile on the long finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Drink now through 2038. 500 cases imported. $260

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

Taste 2021 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Altagracia and 2018 Greer Napa Cabernet Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine for $35 per person. (Limited: We will open one bottle of each wine for this tasting)
Wednesday, March 20th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

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

Jeb Dunnuck 97+ Points
2018 Greer Napa 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

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

Taste 2020 Château Fuissé Pouilly-Fuissé Tête de Cuvée, 2021 Résonance Chardonnay Willamette Valley and 2021 JOURNEYMAN Chardonnay Russian River Valley at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, March 21st. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

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

Wine Advocate 94-96 Points
2021 Résonance Chardonnay Willamette Valley

Still in barrel, the 2021 Chardonnay Willamette Valley is the first iteration of this wine from Résonance, made from both estate and purchased fruit. The nose opens with streaks of matchstick and crushed almonds that give way to a deep core of yellow apple, jasmine and touches of cream and butter. The medium-bodied palate is satiny and expansive with savory layers energized by focused acidity, and it has a long, textural finish with alluring floral perfume. $40

Wine Spectator 94 Points
JOURNEYMAN Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2021

Stunning, with fleshy peach, apricot and Fuji apple flavors that are juicy, generous and precise, with hints of fennel seed, lemon oil, lemongrass and candied ginger that linger on the long, expressive finish. Drink now. 440 cases made. —MaryAnn Worobiec. $54

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

2021 Carmel Road MONTEREY PINOT NOIR

Winemaker Notes: Our 2021 Monterey Pinot Noir has bright cherry aromas that are layered with notes of wild strawberries and black tea. On the mouth, you get juicy black cherry flavors and notes of cola with hints of vanilla, toasted oak and well balanced tannins. A silky texture leads to a long finish. $18 Our Price $10.99 (Arrives GT 3/20/24)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuveé Carneros 2015

An opulent, decadent style, with raspberry, poached pear, roasted nut and yeast roll flavors that build richness on the spicy finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Drink now. $60 Our Price $39.99 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

Pont Neuf Le Pont Neuf Chardonnay 2021

Winemaker Notes: A handsome wine, always rich and assertive, Le Pont Neuf evolves slowly in the bottle with new aromas and flavors emerging as the young wine develops. The tasting experience is one of energy and movement where a subtle hint of one aroma is replaced by one after another as it evolves in the glass. Seductive aromas of honeycomb, crystallized lemon peel, and Freesia are accompanied by a pliant and luxurious mouthfeel. A fine thread of minerality runs through this wine, giving structure and making it fit to age for at least a decade. Le Pont Neuf is a wine that leads to inspired cooking. In Burgundy, we would opt for a creamy lemon and thyme-scented blanquette de veau, roast pork or fine recipes of meatier, flavorful fish. Drink now - 2035. 70 cases produced. $90 (Available GT)

2020 Dehlinger Russian River Estate Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: Dehlinger has long been recognized for its Russian River Valley Chardonnays, which are known for their balance, fresh acidity, and unctuous flavor. Today, Dehlinger produces a single Estate Chardonnay bottling each vintage, originating from their eight acres of Chardonnay vines planted between 1975 and 1988. These old vines, grown in the region's classic goldridge series soils, are grafted to the California heritage "Wente" clone, which produces small clusters and berries and has a notable minerality and almost oily viscosity. $45 (Available GT)

Wine Advocate 97 Points
2019 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Evenstad Reserve

Medium ruby, the 2019 Pinot Noir Evenstad Reserve has pure, layered aromas of cranberry, pomegranate and raspberry with accents of tobacco leaves, graphite, mushroom and forest floor. The medium-bodied palate is harmoniously structured and seamless with delicate, perfumed fruit and a very long, spicy finish. This strikes a fine balance between a fruity, savory and earthy character. $105 Our Price $88.99 (Back in stock GT)

2022 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Estate Cuvee Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: The Lucia Chardonnay Estate Cuvée continually provides a remarkable expression of the two famed vineyard sites within the Santa Lucia Highlands. The 2022 vintage proves to be no exception. Harnessed within its brilliant straw complexion, fresh aromas of red apple skin, ginger and crushed rock emerge, followed by undertones of brûléed citrus and melon. On the palate, the Soberanes Vineyard component blend offers stony minerality while the higher elevation slopes of the Pisoni Vineyard lend rounder notes of white peach and lemon oil. A rich, textured mouthfeel from 12 months of aging in 40% new French oak brings depth and a complexity that is only amplified by the vibrant and youthful acidity present on the finish. $50 (Available GT)

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

Taste Belle Glos Pinot: 2021 Dairyman Russian River, 2022 Balade ARROYO SECO and 2022 Clark & Telephone Santa Maria at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, March 22nd. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2021 Belle Glos Dairyman Russian River Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: Deep garnet in color with abundant aromas of sun-warmed black cherry, raspberry compote, and dark chocolate followed by hints of cedar and black currant. Bold and rich tones layered with flavors of fresh strawberry cobbler and bramble accompanied by notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. This wine has rich tannins, nice concentration, depth, and natural acidity that expresses the authenticity of a Sonoma County Pinot Noir. $55

2022 Belle Glos Balade ARROYO SECO Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: Dark Purple-violet tones with enticing aromas of blackberry and boysenberry notes. Sophisticated on the palate with flavors of black cherry, wild blackberry and jammy plum. Balanced and structured, this wine has beautiful acidity that lingers through to a long, mouthwatering finish. $55

(The word "Balade" is French for wandering. This is a fitting term for our annual exploration of single-vineyard pinot noir blocks on the west coast. Each vintage, we will bottle only the most compelling and nuanced expression of pinot noir from a single selected vineyard and release it as a limited bottling)

2022 Belle Glos Clark and Telephone Santa Maria Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: Deep purple with flecks of garnet in color with lavish aromas of warm blackberry pie, raspberry, licorice, and white pepper. Bold and sophisticated on the palate with flavors of dry cherry, crushed lavender, and chocolate covered blueberries. The texture is rich and velvety which leads to a long, structured finish. $55

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

Taste Pinot Noir: 2022 La Crema Sonoma Coast, 2021 Kanzler Russian River Valley and 2022 Roar Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Saturday, March 23rd. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

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

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

2022 Roar Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: Leather, tobacco, and cola in a dense, masculine cloak of ripe dark berries makes one imagine sipping this in an old 19th-century library. This wine has a refined richness that stands out, and ages beautifully. $80

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

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