On Deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
Roar Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands Sierra Mar Vineyard 2021

Another pretty, perfumed wine in the vintage, the 2021 Pinot Noir Sierra Mar Vineyard has ripe strawberry and framboise-like fruit as well as ample background spice and dried herb nuances, and it gains a darker, floral edge with time in the glass. Medium-bodied on the on the palate, with nicely integrated oak, velvety tannins, and just a round, supple mouthfeel, it's drinking beautifully today and will be drinking beautifully in another 7-8 years as well. $75

Wine Spectator 93 Points
BREWER-CLIFTON Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills 2022

This is generous in feel, with a plump edge to its cherry and damson plum fruit compote notes, offering hints of tobacco, warm earth and singed herbs that stay in the background. The light-handed toast lets everything knit easily through the finish. Drink now through 2033. —J.M. $50

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2021 AXR Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

This 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is also brilliant, with plenty of darker cassis and currant-driven fruit to go with a full-bodied, concentrated, powerful style on the palate. It has the vintage's fresh, focused, concentrated, slightly inwards style and will evolve for 15+ years. It's another terrific effort from this team. $90

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Taste 2015 Còlpetrone Montefalco Sagrantino Memoira, 2019 Oddero Barolo and 2019 Luigi Pira Barolo Margheria at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, May 30th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 92 Points
2015 Còlpetrone Montefalco Sagrantino Memoira

Steeped raspberry, singed orange peel, black tea leaf and dark chocolate notes are bright and appealing in this silky red, which is tightly meshed with sculpted tannins and a spicy, mineral-driven underpinning, ending with a chewy finish. Drink now through 2035. 7,500 cases made, 750 cases imported. $27

Wine Spectator 94 Points
Oddero Barolo 2019

Packed with strawberry, cherry, rose, tar and tobacco flavors, this solid red is balanced and built for aging, with excellent length. There's a graceful feel and the lasting impression is ripe fruit, so be patient. Best from 2027 through 2043. 2,740 cases made. $60

Wine Spectator 95 Points
Luigi Pira Barolo Margheria 2019

A charming red, detailed and fresh, featuring cherry, strawberry, currant, rose and mint flavors shaded by iron and tar. Tightly wound and compact, yet has terrific balance, pedigree and a persistent aftertaste. Best from 2026 through 2045. 500 cases made, 150 cases imported. $85

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2023 Tempier Bandol Rose

Winemaker Notes: The Bandol Tempier Rosé offers a unique blend of complexity and freshness. It has a fine structure, with no tannin. The high-quality care given to the vines and the diversity of the terroirs produce a flavorful intensity and a strong typicity. $60 Our Price $47.95 (Arrives GT the first week of June 2024)

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
Roar Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands Sierra Mar Vineyard 2021

Another pretty, perfumed wine in the vintage, the 2021 Pinot Noir Sierra Mar Vineyard has ripe strawberry and framboise-like fruit as well as ample background spice and dried herb nuances, and it gains a darker, floral edge with time in the glass. Medium-bodied on the on the palate, with nicely integrated oak, velvety tannins, and just a round, supple mouthfeel, it's drinking beautifully today and will be drinking beautifully in another 7-8 years as well. $75 (Arrives GT this afternoon)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
BREWER-CLIFTON Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills 2022

This is generous in feel, with a plump edge to its cherry and damson plum fruit compote notes, offering hints of tobacco, warm earth and singed herbs that stay in the background. The light-handed toast lets everything knit easily through the finish. Drink now through 2033. —J.M. $50 (Arrives GT this afternoon)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
ROAR Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands Garys' Vineyard 2022

A wave of juicy boysenberry and mulberry fruit splays out, with singed anise, sweet tobacco and fruitcake notes emerging through the flattering finish. For fans of the big fruit style. Drink now through 2030. 595 cases made —J.M. $80 (Back in stock GT this afternoon)

Wine Spectator 95 Points
DOMAINE DE LA CÔTE Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Bloom's Field 2022

A juicy, well-built red, with a structured core of dark cherry and boysenberry fruit harnessed by streaks of wet stone, savory and tobacco, while bay and sandalwood hints peek in on the finish. This is still tight, coiled and steely, but the energy is there for unfurling in the cellar. Best from 2025 through 2038. 925 cases made —J.M. Our Price $110 (Available GT) Limited

Wine Spectator 96 Points
DOMAINE DE LA CÔTE Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills La Côte 2022

This sports dark cherry, currant and raspberry fruit flavors that are mulled in feel, but kept taut and lively by a torrent of acidity, while sage, warm earth, white pepper, savory and flint notes bounce around. Overall a bit sauvage in feel, this is a compelling wine, but needs cellaring to tame it and allow it to stretch out. Best from 2026 through 2038. From California. 368 cases made —J.M. Our Price $160 (Available GT) Limited

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Taste 2021 The Calling Monterey County Pinot Noir, 2019 Kenefick Ranch Winery Cabernet Franc Caitlin's Select and 2021 Kenefick Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Chris's Cuvée at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, May 31st. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2021 The Calling Monterey County Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: Rich with hints of tart cherry, rhubarb, dried red plum, cranberry and earthy aromatics on the nose. The palate consists of strawberry and rhubarb pie, dried cranberry, muddled cherry and red plum with juicy acidity. $32

Wine Advocate 92 Points
2019 Kenefick Ranch Winery Cabernet Franc Caitlin's Select

Cherries lead the way on the nose of the 2019 Cabernet Franc Caitlin's Select, joined by just a hint of leafiness and some attractive milk chocolate shadings. Full-bodied, creamy and lush, this wine offers a lot of up front, with hedonistic appeal and a lingering, nuanced finish at a reasonable price. $50

2021 Kenefick Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Chris's Cuvée

Winemaker Notes: Focused dark fruit makes way for some brightness on the aromatics and palate. Well integrated tannins and oak play the role of extending the finish. $80

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Taste 2019 Reata Chardonnay Sonoma Coast, 2021 Peju Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and 2019 O'Shaughnessy Napa Cabernet Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, June 1st. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

Wine Spectator 91 Points
Reata Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2019

Big and open-textured, with intense creamy and buttery accents to the ripe white fruit flavors. Concentrated spiciness lingers on the plush finish. Drink now through 2023. 3,585 cases made. $20

2021 Peju Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Our 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon exudes a captivating blend of ripe fruit aromas, accompanied by subtle spicy undertones and delicate hints of blue fruit and cocoa. On the palate, it unfolds with a velvety texture, revealing layers of juicy plum preserve and red fruit flavors, intertwined with nuances of cedar box shavings. This wine strikes a harmonious balance, offering a creamy mouthfeel and well-integrated silky tannins that lead to a smooth and lingering finish. $75

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2019 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

The base 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is terrific, and while I don’t know the price, I suspect it’s a great value. Deep purple-hued, with terrific mulled currant and blackberry fruits, it has lots of ripe herbal, chocolaty spice notes, full-bodied richness, sweet tannins, and a great finish. This is pure Napa Valley goodness to drink over the coming 10-15 years. $85

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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