On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

2022 Louis Jadot Bourgogne Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: Along with a lovely pale color, this wine has an expressive nose of medium intensity green apple, pear and crushed stone with floral notes. The palate brings forth bright, fresh, citrus fruits with slight tropical notes of apricots and pineapples. Expect balanced, fresh acidity and stony minerality that stems from its sunny southern birthplace. $18

2022 Summer Dreams Twilight Sonoma Coast Pinot

Winemaker Notes: The full-bodied palate beams with flavors of wild blueberries and licorice, white pepper and cloves that lead to an undercurrent of violet. Seductive, with a velvety texture and seamless freshness, finishing long. $130

Jeb Dunnuck 100 Points
2016 Hundred Acre Cabernet Sauvignon Wraith

Pure perfection in red wine, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Wraith tops out on my scale and has everything I look for in wine. Deep purple-hued with a smorgasbord-like array of dark currants, smoked tobacco, new leather, camphor, and graphite, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered, concentrated mid-palate, ultra-fine tannins, and flawless balance. World class in every way, it already offers pleasure today given its balance and purity, but it will evolve for 30 years if well stored. This is legendary Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. $760

Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points
2019 Fortunate Son Cabernet Sauvignon The Warrior

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon The Warrior is riveting stuff, offering an incredible array of sweet darker currants, tobacco leaf, lead pencil, and classy oak. It's a big, rich wine, yet it's not over the top and has a semi-opaque purple hue, medium to full body, seamless tannins, and a layered, silky, incredibly satisfying style that's going to evolve for two decades. $300

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Taste 2020 Staglin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and 2021 Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon VHR at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $35 per person. (Limited: We will open one bottle of each wine for this tasting).
Tuesday, June 18th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Karen MacNeil 95 Points
2020 Staglin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Staglin has long been one of Napa Valley’s A+++ wines, and a winery that hits homeruns year after year. 2020 was perhaps the most challenging year the Napa Valley has ever seen. Those wineries affected by smoke made no wine (for the most part). But the vineyards that were already harvested (or by luck of site and orientation were not affected), made stellar wine. This is one of those incredible wines. It’s an exquisite Cabernet with long swaths of blackberry and incense aromas and flavors. For this vintage, Staglin also used less new oak than it usually does, which has given the wine an extra lift of energy and vitality. Farmed organically. $325

Jeb Dunnuck 98+ Points
2021 Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon VHR

Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged in 70% new French oak, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon VHR sports a dense purple hue to go with a stunning nose of blackcurrants, charcoal, leafy tobacco, and violet. This beauty is full-bodied, rich, concentrated, has a great core of tannins, and a killer finish. This will probably merit a triple-digit rating in 5-7 years and is a brilliant wine as well as a possible 30+-year legend in the making. $325

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Taste 2022 Mary Taylor Bordeaux Blanc, 2019 Domaine Lucien Boillot & Fils Gevrey Chambertin and 2019 PAUILLAC DE CHÂTEAU LATOUR at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Wednesday, June 19th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2022 Mary Taylor Bordeaux Blanc

Winemaker Notes: Sourced from vineyards that surround the winery and fermented without oak to preserve the underlying expression of its classic terroir, this is Sauvignon Blanc as channeled through the unique prism of Bordeaux. $15

2019 Domaine Lucien Boillot & Fils Gevrey Chambertin

Notes from Anthony Lynch: Old-vine Pinot Noir blended from several sites across Gevrey-Chambertin provides a textbook rendition of this village, all while staying honest to the soulful, pure-fruited Boillot style and the lusciousness of the vintage. Gevrey’s characteristic brawn is enveloped in a sumptuous cushion of dark fruit, rendering it immediately attractive notwithstanding the structure lurking beneath. You could cellar it for a decade…but why not just pull the cork now? $80

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

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Taste 2023 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Blanc, 2021 Jaffurs Santa Barbara Syrah and 2021 Roar Syrah Santa Lucia Highlands Rosella's Vineyard at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, June 20th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2023 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Blanc

Winemaker Notes: A plush nose equally balanced between Grenache Blanc and Viognier: apricot and ripe pear, oyster shell minerality, and a little pithy note. On the palate, white grapefruit and honeycrisp apple, anise, chamomile, orange oil, and a chalky mineral note on the finish. Lovely acids. $28

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 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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WOW*72% Off!
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 (Back in stock GT 6/19/24)

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 Our Price $49.95 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 94 Points
BEDROCK Evangelho Vineyard Heritage Contra Costa County 2022

Deeply structured yet polished and lively, with rich black raspberry and cherry flavors that take on savory anise, cracked pepper and briar accents as this gains structure toward medium-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Mataro, Carignan, Alicante and Palomino. Drink now through 2034. 750 cases made —T.F. $50 Our Price $39.95 (Available GT and VRW)

2022 Ghost Block MorgaenLee Sauvignon Blanc

Winemaker Notes: Beautiful aromatics of grapefruit and white peach jump from the glass followed by subtle tropical fruit notes of guava and papaya. $25 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

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 Our Price $49.95 (Available GT and VRW)

2023 Domaine de la Solitude Cotes du Rhone Blanc

Winemaker Notes: This wine is a blend of three varietals. The Clairette brings the freshness and zest of citrus, the Viognier the aromatic depth and roundness, and the Grenache the notes of white flowers. The grapes are harvested early in the morning and completely destemmed. The fermentation in stainless-steel vats preserves the full aromatic freshness. The wine has a nose of citrus and apricots, a round and generous mouthfeel, and a fresh and flavorful finish. $19 Our Price $14.99 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 92 Points
2022 DRY CREEK Sauvignon Blanc Dry Creek Valley

Fragrant, with notes of lemon basil and lemongrass up front, showing hints of celery seed that complement the generous core of pear, peach and lemon-lime flavors. Reveals hints of tropical fruit and fresh-grated ginger on the crisp finish, where the wine gains momentum. Drink now. —M.W. $16 (Available GT and VRW)

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Taste 2021 GARY FARRELL Chardonnay Russian River Valley Russian River Selection, 2021 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Land's Edge Vineyards and 2021 Cakebread Napa Cabernet Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, June 21st. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 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

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points
2021 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Land's Edge Vineyards

A rich ruby/purple, the 2021 Pinot Noir Land's Edge Vineyards is ripe and rounded with a perfume of blackberry preserve, damp forest floor, and toasted baking spice. Full-bodied, but with clean lift and without weight, it has dark berries, candied flowers, sweet, ripe tannins, and a soft texture. This is an immediate wine, but it has good freshness and the structure to drink over the next 4-5 years. $55

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

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Taste 2021 Mer Soleil Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay, 2022 SEAN MINOR Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Signature Series and 2021 Plumpjack Oakville Estate Cabernet Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Saturday, June 22nd. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

2021 Mer Soleil Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: A lively flaxen gold, this wine features a harmonious nose that previews the playful balance to come on the palate. Scents of brown spice, toasted almonds, custard and light oak mingle with Meyer lemon zest, honeysuckle and a hint of apricot. Entry is round, as the wine’s fruit and natural acidity build on each other, with echoes of brown spice, citrus and apricot enveloped in a creamy texture. A vibrant finish of lemon/lime showcases the distinctly bright acidity produced from the Monterey coast, leaving an enticing freshness that prepares the palate for another sip. $25

Wine Spectator 92 Points
SEAN MINOR Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Signature Series 2022

A nice streamlined, mineral-tinged version, with racy acidity running underneath blood orange and raspberry coulis flavors, while savory and hibiscus hints chime in on the finish, where the fruit lingers prettily. Drink now through 2028. 3,000 cases made. From California.—James Molesworth $28

Vinous Media 95 Points
2021 Plumpjack Oakville Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is rich, racy and super-expressive. Silky and deep, with notable resonance, the 2021 offers up dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, menthol, new leather and licorice. Today, it is a very young wine in need of cellaring, but its potential is evident. Dollops of Petit Verdot and Malbec round out the blend. This should be positively stellar. $193

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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