On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Wine Spectator 93 Points
THE CALLING Chardonnay Russian River Valley Dutton Ranch 2022

An expressive version, with generous notes of ripe tropical fruit, including papaya, grilled pineapple and mango. There's also a wonderful sense of restraint in the way the acidity and supple texture play with the flavors. Touches of vanilla shortbread, candied ginger and orange blossoms add fragrant grace notes. Drink now. —M.W. $35

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2021 Radio-Coteau Pinot Noir La Neblina

Made with 20% whole cluster fermentation and all used barrels, the ruby-hued 2021 Pinot Noir La Neblina has a floral and spicy perfume with a refined feel to its notes of candied roses, ripe red cherry, and fresh herbs. Medium-bodied, it has a refined tannin structure, a silky texture, and a good balance of fresh and ripeness. Pure, with raspberry and brambly herbs, it’s in a great place already and will do well over the next 6-8 years. $61

James Suckling 96 Points
2021 Wayfarer Fort Ross Seaview Pinot Noir

Very floral with hints of rose stems and hibiscus to the fresh ripe strawberry and citrus character. Medium to full body. Dried peach and orange peel flavors. Very long and intense. Lively at the end with lovely purity of fruit. Drink or hold. $90

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Taste 2021 Jaffurs Santa Barbara Syrah, 2021 BODEGAS JUAN GIL Jumilla Blue Label and 2021 Jaffurs Petite Sirah Thompson Vineyard at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, April 25th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

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

Wine Spectator 93 Points
BODEGAS JUAN GIL Jumilla Blue Label 2021

An aromatic thread of toast, licorice, vanilla and Mediterranean macchia winds through generous flavors of plum sauce and blackberry paste. Full-bodied but fresh and well-structured, this red is firmed by chalky, integrated tannins that sculpt the long, lasting finish. Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Drink now through 2031. —A.N. $34

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

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Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2020 Clos De L'Oratoire Saint-Émilion

Another head-turningly good Right Bank is the 2020 Clos De L'Oratoire, which comes from the team of Stephan von Neipperg. This medium to full-bodied, focused, elegant 2020 has good concentration, the vintage's pure, layered profile, classic aromas of black raspberry, cassis, graphite, and flowers, and plenty of chalky minerality on the finish. A quintessential 2020, give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following decade or so. $45 (Available GT)

Wine Advocate 94 Points
2021 La Vizcaina by Raul Perez Las Gundinas Tinto

The 2021 La Vizcaína Las Gundiñas has a slightly earthy touch and is a variable wine that feels quite harmonious and clean, as it's from a plot that sometimes suffers in cooler years. They are going to change the vinification of this plot to achieve more precision. They used 100% full clusters and matured it in well-seasoned, neutral 500-liter oak vats. It is cleaner and more precise this year. 5,500 bottles were filled in May 2020. $50 Our Price $39.99 (Available GT and VRW)

2021 Black Stallion North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: This rich and refined wine doesn't require years of further aging to achieve ideal balance and enjoy upon release. The full-bodied structure is a hallmark. The wine opens with stunning aromas of black cherry dried cranberry and toasty notes of cedar. The palate is concentrated with bold, velvety red flavors of cherry, raspberry and hints of spice. Intense, concentrated mature fruit and integrated tannins with beautifully balanced acidity extending to an elegant finish. $25 Our Price $21.99 (Available GT and VRW)

James Suckling 95 Points
Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2021

The purity of fruit is impressive in this wine with currants, orange peel, peaches and lemon in the nose and on the palate. Full-bodied yet compressed and agile. Flavorful finish. Reserved now, but if you give it a year or two it will really deliver. $33 Our Price $24.95 (Available GT and 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 (Available GT and VRW)

James Suckling 91 Points
2022 Attems Friuli Pinot Grigio

Notes of apples, Meyer lemons, melon skin and flowers with a medium body and polished texture with hints of dried rosemary and citrus. Flavorful finish. $22 Our Price $16.99

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Taste 2022 ETUDE Chardonnay Carneros Grace Benoist Ranch, 2018 Laird Family Jillian's Blend Napa Valley and 2018 Taub Family Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, April 26th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 92 Points
ETUDE Chardonnay Carneros Grace Benoist Ranch 2022

A distinctive version, offering notes of dried honeysuckle and toasted sesame seed, with a hint of tangy tamarind adding to the mouthwatering quality that defines this wine. Lemon, Honeycrisp apple, lemon verbena and lime zest notes expand on the long finish. Drink now. 3,767 cases made.—MaryAnn Worobiec. $40

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Laird Family Jillian's Blend Napa Valley 2018

On the slightly rugged, old-school style of the spectrum, with a core of steeped red and black currant fruit backed by a burly structure and notes of chestnut, sage and bay leaf. Shows singed cedar and alder notes that thread up the finish, with nice latent energy. For fans of the gutsy style. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024 through 2036. 2,380 cases made. $58

Wine Enthusiast 93
2018 Taub Family Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

Well structured and dense with fruit and oak-spice flavors, this full-bodied wine wraps significant velvety tannins around black cherries, black currant and mint notes. Perfumed with cedar and cinnamon on the nose, the wine is smooth on the midpalate and lingers on the finish $70

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Taste 2021 GARY FARRELL Chardonnay Russian River Selection,2021 RÉSONANCE Pinot Noir Willamette Valley and 2021 Chimney Rock Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, April 27th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

GARY FARRELL Chardonnay Russian River Valley Russian River Selection 2021

This shows good concentration and complexity, with honeysuckle, caramelized pineapple and lemon blossom aromatics up front, backed by juicy peach, apple and salted melon notes. Details of toffee, marzipan and dried herbs linger at the end. Drink now. 4,578 cases made.—M.W. $40

Wine Spectator 94 Points
RÉSONANCE Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2021

Precise and elegantly structured, with detailed raspberry, savory tea and crushed stone accents that gather richness and tension toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2031. 10,870 cases made.—T.F. $45

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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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