On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Wine Spectator 93 Points
2019 Laird Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

A juicy, ripe and packed style, with a core of dark currant and boysenberry preserves flanked by singed vanilla and black licorice. Ends with toasty oomph, but with good underlying energy as well. Drink now through 2034. $70

Wine Advocate 95 Points
2019 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino

The Altesino 2019 Brunello di Montalcino boasts a rich and savory side that this wine wears very well. There is a beautiful level of dark fruit that folds into the wine's velvety texture. Blackberry and plum envelop the palate, adding elegant full-bodied volume and fine tannins along the way. The wine is aged in traditional Slavonian casks, and production reaches 110,000 bottles annually (which is very ambitious considering this level of quality). $70

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
2021 Chimney Rock Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District is based on 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot, and minuscule percentages of Petit Verdot and Malbec that's all from estate fruit in the Stags Leap District. It offers a pure, medium to full-bodied, incredibly elegant style as well as tons of minerality in its red and black fruits, ripe, building tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and just a kiss of background oak. I love the overall style of this beauty, which will compete with wines two to three times the price. $110

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Taste 2022 Zinfandel: SEGHESIO Sonoma County Old Vine, BEDROCK Dry Creek Valley Beeson Ranch and Bedrock Vineyard Heritage Sonoma Valley at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, April 18th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 93 Points
SEGHESIO Zinfandel Sonoma County Old Vine 2022

Like a briar patch in a glass, this Zin offers spirited raspberry and cherry flavors that take on underbrush, dried sage and white pepper flavors before finishing with zesty tannins. Drink now through 2032. —T.F. $40

Wine Spectator 94 Points
BEDROCK Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Beeson Ranch 2022

Tightly focused and refined for a Zinfandel, this version packs in deep flavors of black cherry, licorice and roasted sage that build tension and tannins toward the brambly finish. Drink now through 2032. —T.F. $55

Wine Spectator 94 Points
BEDROCK Bedrock Vineyard Heritage Sonoma Valley 2022

Brooding and deeply structured, this retains a sense of focus and vibrancy, with flavors of wild berries, clove, savory anise and green peppercorn that build tension and zestiness toward medium-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Carignan and Mataro. Best from 2025 through 2034. —T.F. $65

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Wine Enthusiast 92 Points
Morgan Cotes du Crow's 2020

This is a smashing deal every vintage, and this year's blend of 58% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre and 3% Tempranillo doesn't disappoint. Fresh but savory aromas of roasted red fruit and baking spice drop into a tightly wound palate of snappy red currant and light pepper that rides a zippy acidity through the finish. $22 Our Price $17.49 (Back in stock GT 4/19/24)

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points
2021 Jaffurs Petite Sirah Thompson Vineyard

The 2021 Petite Sirah Thompson Vineyard is a perennial winner. Coming all from the Thompson Vineyard in the Alisos Canyon region of Santa Barbara County and brought up in 18% new American oak, its deep purple hue is followed by a beautiful array of red, black, and blue fruits interwoven with cedarwood, flowery incense, and peppery herbs. It's rich and full-bodied, with beautiful fruit and fine tannins. This is one incredibly classy Petite Sirah that has plenty of up-front appeal yet, I suspect, the balance and structure to evolve for well over a decade. $45 Our Price $36.99 (Back in stock GT)

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points
2021 Jaffurs Santa Barbara Syrah

This is a great representation of a solid Syrah bottling that touches on both the cooler and warmer aspects of the grape. Intense aromas of blackberry, black peppercorns and charred shishito peppers decorate the nose. The palate is dense, showing rich cassis flavors, but it’s also elegant in spices, with pepper, iodine and purple flower flavors. $36 Our Price $27.99 (Available GT)

2021 Ghost Block Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Intense, overt aromas of dark cherry & blackberries explode out of the glass. This wine is an elegant & balanced Oakville Cabernet on the palate with enticing flavors of deep red fruits and great structure & body; lengthened by the integrated oak notes of vanilla. These silky tannins make this wine very approachable with a long lasting finish and ready to drink upon release but bound for many cellars. $75 (Arrives GT 4/25/24)

Wine Spectator 94 Points
MAURITSON Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 2021

This handsome and refined Zin retains a lively sense of briar patch, plus vibrant cherry, raspberry and spice flavors that zip along the sleek finish. Drink now through 2033. —T.F. $45 Our Price $36.99

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 98-100 Points
2021 Screaming Eagle Napa Valley Cabernet
(3 bottles OWC)

Tasted from barrel, the 2021 Screaming Eagle dazzles from start to finish. Dark, savory and explosive, the 2021 deftly marries power and finesse like few vintages I can remember tasting. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, grilled herbs, leather and a kick of spice all build in this wonderfully vibrant, layered Screaming Eagle. There's plenty of tannin, but it is elegantly built into the wine's fabric. CA Market Price for 3 pack OWC $8,500-$10,950. Our Price $8,500. (Available GT)

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Taste 2022 Alma Cattleya Sonoma Pinot Noir, 2022 Capiaux Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir and 2019 Revana Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Terroir Series at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Friday, April 19th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2022 Alma Cattleya Sonoma Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: Harnessed within its medium ruby core, this Pinot Noir packs pure aromas of berry pie, pomegranate, and spicy sandalwood. Rich and textured on the palate, the senses are dazzled with fruit driven flavors of macerated blackberry and mulberry that pair seamlessly with more savory notes of dried herbs and hints of fresh earth. The youthful acidity and fine-grained tannin offer an exciting and approachable finish to this luscious wine. $30

Vinous 92 Points
2022 Capiaux Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir

The 2022 Pinot Noir Garys’ Vineyard is round, succulent and super-expressive, with all the elements very nicely in balance. Juicy red cherry/plum fruit, rose petals, mint and blood orange all meld together in this sensual, inviting Pinot Noir. $52

Wine Spectator 94 Points
2019 Revana Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Terroir Series

This is packed with waves of steeped plum, boysenberry compote and açaí reduction, dripping with fruit but keeping its form and detail thanks to underlying tar and graphite notes. Presents pretty violet and anise accents, which fill in the background. Best from 2023 through 2036. 1,400 cases made. $105

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Taste 2022 Robert Sinskey Vin Gris of Pinot Noir, 2021 Aston Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast and 2021 Capiaux Pisoni Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, April 20th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

2022 Robert Sinskey Vin Gris of Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: A rosé for all seasons - this organically farmed, whole cluster pressed Vin Gris of Pinot Noir deserves attention year ‘round. The glimmering salmon color provides a clue that this wine is a pure, vibrant, well-crafted beverage. Bright, spring strawberry leads into summer raspberry, guava and peach, contrasted by notes of juicy winter citrus like orange and Meyer lemon. High tone rose petal and lavender add to the allure. $39

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Aston Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2021

This pumps out tasty mulberry and black cherry fruit paste flavors, which show drive and focus as singed anise, warm earth and black tea notes come into play. Reveals late savory and bramble notes, which inject a nice hint of wild energy into the well-structured finish. Best from 2024 through 2030. 1,500 cases made. $45

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 96 Points
2021 Capiaux Pisoni Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

The 2021 Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard is fabulous. Bright, punchy and explosive, the 2021 captures the essence of this Santa Lucia Highlands site. Inky blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, licorice and mint saturate the palate. Even with all of its intensity, the 2021 retains terrific freshness and verve. This Capiaux wine emerges from the one parcel at Pisoni planted with own rooted vines. $70

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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