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James Suckling 92 Points
2018 Mondavi Napa Chardonnay

An abundance of ripe stone and tropical fruit on the nose. It’s full-bodied with aromas and flavors of mango, yellow peach, salted butter and powdered praline. Lightly smoky with a crisp finish. Drink or hold. $35 Our Price $9.95 (Available GT and VRW)

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On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Wine Spectator 94 Points
Roar Syrah Santa Lucia Highlands Rosella's Vineyard 2021

Rich and polished, yet agilely structured, with blueberry and raspberry flavors that gather tapenade, smoked meat and spice accents. Ends with medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2032. 155 cases made. $55

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Taste Pinot Noir: 2019 CHEV Russian River Valley and 2022 Domaine de la Côte Sta. Rita Hills Bloom's Field at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person. (Limited: We will open one bottle of each wine for this tasting).
Tuesday, June 11th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2019 CHEV Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

A deep and electric ruby hue, the 2019 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is ripe with pure classic aromas of wild cherry, cola spice, and sweet herbs. Medium-bodied, it delivers super-fine tannins, freshness, and purity as well as attractive ripe fruit raspberry, leather, and warming root spice, and it has elegance and a graceful feel without being heavy. Drink 2023-2032. From winemaker Michael Browne, also of CIRQ and co-founder of Kosta Browne. $95

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. $110

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Taste Chardonnay: 2021 The Calling Dutton Ranch Russian River, 2021 Sea Smoke Sta Rita Hills and 2022 Plumpjack Napa Reserve at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Wednesday, June 12th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 92 Points
The Calling Chardonnay Russian River Valley Dutton Ranch 2021

Generous and expressive, with heavy juicy tangerine, lemon curd and Honeycrisp apple flavors that sing out on a mouthwatering frame, while hints of lemon verbena, ginger, citrus zest and green tea emerge on the finish. Drink now. 9,300 cases made. $33

2021 Sea Smoke Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: An elegant Chardonnay with aromas of mango, honeysuckle, fresh cut pear and honeydew. These are complemented by nectarine and a slight nuttiness in the focused mid-palate and the refreshing cool climate acidity of our estate vineyard. $90

2022 Plumpjack Reserve Napa Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: The 2022 PlumpJack Reserve Chardonnay is a gorgeous, multi-faceted wine. The nose delivers layers of aromas—apple, baked pear, and lemon curd mingle with white peach, apricot, and honeysuckle with a dash of nutmeg and cinnamon just beneath the fruit. The palate is energetic and dynamic, beginning with a rich, mouth-filling texture reminiscent of lemon curd, followed by bright acidity that evokes lemon zest and honey-crisp apples. Finally, the beautiful acidity pulls the wine through the back of the palate, creating a long, structured finish. $60

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Taste 2021 Cecchi Chianti Classico Storia di Famiglia, 2022 Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto and 2020 Oddero Barbaresco Gallina at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, June 13th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

 Wine Spectator 91 Points
Cecchi Chianti Classico Storia di Famiglia 2021

Laced with black cherry, black currant and violet aromas and flavors, this red is immediately appealing for its lush fruit. Balanced, fresh and long, with iron, wild herb and tobacco details. Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2028. 50,000 cases made, 10,000 cases imported. $26

Wine Advocate 94 Points
2022 Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto

Made with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, the Tenuta San Guido 2022 Guidalberto gives you a good taste of the same DNA that brings us one of Italy's greatest wines, Sassicaia, but it's offered in a more immediate style here (thanks to the addition of the Merlot). This warm vintage opens to medium-dark concentration and very plump aromas that take you immediately to blackberry and blackcurrant sitting out in the sun at your local farmers market. The wine shows a soft and gentle side with a pretty level of elegance transmitted through the fruit freshness and the light oak spice that is discernible here but delivered with grace. $76

Wine Spectator 95 Points
Oddero Barbaresco Gallina 2020

Elegant and well-integrated, offering strawberry, wild cherry, floral, licorice and tobacco aromas and flavors. Succulent and harmonious, remaining fresh and resonant as this lingers on the long, mineral-infused aftertaste. Best from 2026 through 2042. 800 cases made. $70

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Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent
95 POINTS * 2022 Hartford Court MacLean's Block Pinot Noir

The 2022 Maclean's Block Pinot Noir is medium ruby-purple in color. Scents of ripe blackberries, mulberries, and boysenberries leap from the glass, followed by nuances of licorice, tar, and underbrush. The medium to full-bodied palate is bursting with blackberry and savory layers, supported by fine-grained tannins and a lively line, finishing earthy...It is named after Don & Jennifer Hartford's son MacLean. MacLean's Block is on a vineyard located on a gentle east-facing slope, east of the town of Occidental. $80 Our Price $72.99 (Available GT and VRW)

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 (Available GT and VRW)

2021 Cakebread Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: The wonderfully pure, pretty nose of our Cabernet Sauvignon is redolent of warm berry cobbler, with lovely toasted boysenberry and blackberry scents joined by hints of wild cherry, loamy earth and oak vanillin. On the supple, beautifully structured palate, the wine offers rich, vibrant blackberry, plum and black cherry flavors framed by perfectly integrated tannins and a long, savory finish. Delicious now, this elegantly sumptuous Cakebread Napa Cabernet Sauvignon will develop further nuance with another 5-7 years' bottle age. $75 Our Price $63.95 (Available GT and VRW)

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 Our Price $71.99 (Back in stock GT 6/12/24)

Wine Enthusiast 90 Points
2022 Sokol Blosser Estate Pinot Gris

The wine's pear tart and lemon curd aromas do an energetic tango with a tangy bit of lychee fruit. Acidity and a mouthfeel so brisk your teeth vibrate are perfect matches for tart green apple and a citrus flavor that will conjure memories of the iconic Squirt soft drink. Maybe Fresca. This wine is pure fun. $30 Our Price $19.99 (Available GT and VRW)

ANTONIO GALLONI, VINOUS 93 Points
2019 PAUILLAC DE CHÂTEAU LATOUR

The 2019 Pauillac is a serious wine. Dark cherry, plum, gravel, incense, licorice and pomegranate are all dialed up in this wonderfully deep, fleshy Pauillac. Deep and resonant, with fine balance, the 2019 captures all the natural radiance of the year. This is really quite stellar and delicious. A recent bottle of the 2009 reminded me how pleasurable the Latour Pauillac can be. $110 (Arrives GT 6/11/24)

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Taste 2022 Hartford Court Seascape Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2021 Robert Mondavi Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and 2020 The Setting Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, June 14th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent 95 POINTS * 2022 Hartford Court Seascape Vineyard Pinot Noir

Medium ruby-purple in color, the 2022 Seascape Vineyard Pinot Noir struts from the glass with forthright notes of black cherries, black raspberries, and orange peel followed by hints of black pepper, juniper, and lavender. The medium to full-bodied palate is plush and vibrant, with perfumed black and red berry layers, finishing long and fragrant...Seascape Vineyard is located on a panoramic ridgetop west of the town of Occidental, facing Bodega Bay and the Pacific Ocean. $80

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points
2021 Robert Mondavi Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

The classic 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is outstanding, with a more black fruit-driven profile as well as some violet and scorched earth nuances. Aged 18 months in 32% new French oak, it's medium to full-bodied, has a lifted, perfumed profile, supple tannins, and a great finish. Enjoy bottles over the coming decade. $50

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
2020 The Setting Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley is a saturated red with a ruby hue and has a forward, floral perfume of juicy mixed black and red fruit, candied violets, plums, and fresh herbs. Full-bodied and gushing with primary fruit up front, it has fine tannins and a supple, rounded mouthfeel, offering loads of blackberries and flowers before revealing slightly more earthy tones of mossy earth and tea leaf. Drink 2025-2040. $95

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Taste 2022 Domaine Hippolyte Reverdy Sancerre Rose, 2019 Chateau Les Cruzelles Pomerol and 2019 Chateau Montlandrie Bordeaux at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, June 15. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

2022 Domaine Hippolyte Reverdy Sancerre Rose

It's hard to imagine a wine as refreshing and enlivening as Reverdy’s Sancerre, but the domaine's Sancerre rosé gives their classic white a serious run for its money. Vigneronne Julie Guiard uses direct-press Pinot Noir vinified in stainless steel to create this snappy, saline expression of Sancerre's stony soils. While its delicate aromas of tart cranberry and white cherry set it apart, it makes for an all-star apéritif just as much as her iconic blanc. $35

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2019 Chateau Les Cruzelles Pomerol

Ripe black cherries, blueberries, iron, spring flowers, and a touch of chocolaty minerality emerge from the 2019 Château Les Cruzelles, another incredible success from Denis Durantou. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and concentrated, you should buy a case and drink bottles any time over the coming 10-15 years. $39

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2019 Chateau Montlandrie Bordeaux

A perennial no-brainer, the 2019 Château Montlandrie sports a vivid purple hue as well as a gorgeous bouquet of juicy black cherries, blueberries, tobacco, and cedarwood, with some classic chalky minerality in the background. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has terrific purity of fruit, silky tannins, and a great finish. I’d be thrilled to have bottles in the cellar, and it should have 10-15 years of longevity. $35

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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