On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Wine Spectator 95 Points
Tekstura Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Redford-Wetle Vineyard 2021

This compelling wine shows impressive structure and polish, with multilayered raspberry and blueberry flavors. Reveals notes of forest floor, crushed rock and black tea as this builds richness and tension toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2033. 455 cases made.—T.F. $70

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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

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Tasting Panel 93 Points
2023 Round Pond Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc

A stunning lesson in subtlety from Rutherford. Pale straw yellow color with a slight green tinge, youthful, vibrant, fresh, with excellent purity. Layered notes of citrus rind, passion fruit, lychee, and basil, augmented by a slight tropical note. Plenty of volume on the palate while maintaining excellent balance with lifted acidity to keep it lively. Entirely from stainless steel. A highly inviting, refined, elegant style. $30 Our Price $25.69 (Available GT 3/22/24)

Wine Spectator 96 Points
Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2019

There’s purity to the cherry, strawberry, rose, mineral and herb aromas and flavors in this solidly built red, which shows excellent balance and length. The muscular finish begs for more time for the beautiful fruit to assimilate. Best from 2025 through 2042. 1,700 cases made, 800 cases imported. $42 Our Price $39.99 (Back in stock GT this afternoon) Delicious!

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 (Available GT 3/22/24)

2019 Staglin Family Salus Napa Cabernet , 750ml and Magnums

Winemaker Notes: Welcome to High Definition Cabernet – the 2019 Salus is a generous and deliciously detailed display of exuberant dark fruits dynamically supported by a range of floral, earthy and herbaceous characters. Lifted floral notes slide into resinous rosemary underlain by tilled earth and powdered porcini mushrooms complexed with a puff of gunpowder, graphite and criollo cigar wrapper. Bursting blackcurrant and ripe raspberry deepened by crushed cacao nibs and fresh licorice root envelop the palate before sliding silkily through a delightfully delineated and lengthy exit. The hint of grip and grit on the finish portends a rewarding and delicious life for this wine. $115/750ml and $249/magnum. (Available GT and VRW)

2021 Gentry Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Producer Notes: This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from a single biodynamic vineyard on Howell Mountain is made by a very acclaimed winemaker (who must remain nameless) who describes the wine as vibrant, shows the power and restraint of Howell Mountain. First, a powerful bouquet of rose petals, African violets and lavender greet your nose. Next, wanting to show its true colors you will find balanced fruit attributes of Bing cherries, plums and cranberries on the palate. A mountain wine at heart, graphite and iron are also ever-present. In an effort to show its youthfulness, this medium bodied wine with lively acidity and inviting freshness finishes with energetic yet refined tannins. $70 Our Price $64.99 (Available GT and 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. Our Price $294.95 (Available VRW)

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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

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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

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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