On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2022 The Setting Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc

The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is ripe and tropical, with forward, sunny aromas of mango, fresh grapefruit, and rounded floral aromas. Medium-bodied, with driving energy and good concentration in its vibrant notes of pure lime citrus, fresh apple, and delicate spice, it’s a more serious style to hold another 6-12 months and drink 2024-2034. $40

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2021 Force & Grace Revelist Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Easily my favorite in the lineup, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Revelist (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) has rocking levels of blackcurrants, blueberries, spice, and flowers to go with a medium-bodied, elegant, and seamless profile on the palate that's already hard to resist. It's a brilliantly textured, balanced, incredibly impressive Cabernet Sauvignon that deserves 3-5 years in the cellar and will shine over the following 10-15 years. $130

Wine Spectator 94 Points
ALBAN Syrah Edna Valley Patrina Alban Estate 2021

Plump and polished, with sleekly layered black raspberry flavors that are accented by dark chocolate, savory meat and cracked pepper tones that sail on the long and savory finish. Drink now through 2033. —T.F. $58

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Taste 2021 Quilt Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022 Quilt Fabric of the Land Proprietary Napa Red and 2017 Quilt Napa Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, June 27th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

The Tasting Panel 94 Points
2021 Quilt Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Ripe boysenberry preserves are amplified by a wash of milk chocolate and almond brittle. Sumptuously textured, with sleek tannins enveloped in sandalwood. $45

2022 Quilt Fabric of the Land Proprietary Napa Red

Winemaker Notes: Deep garnet with scarlet red highlights in the glass. Rich notes of plum, dark cherry, leather, black pepper and cocoa nibs greet the nose. A full bodied blend with rich flavors of blackberry, dried cherry, tobacco, and dark chocolate with subtle hints of clove dance on the palate. Full yet elegant on the palate, with strong acidity and a long, smooth finish accompanied by velvety tannins. $35

2017 Quilt Napa Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Dark ruby red. Rich notes of chocolate, black currant, ripe blackberry, and marionberry intertwined with caramel and leather. A complex and bold assemblage of dark currant, blackberry, marionberry, and toasted hazelnut balanced with hints of cardamom and dry dark chocolate. A full-bodied, quintessential Quilt Reserve Napa Cabernet with layers of concentrated black fruit, bright acidity, and excellent balance. The wine's breadth and structure is complemented by a supple, velvety mouthfeel, with fine-grained tannins. The finish is long, smooth, and satisfying. $120

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James Suckling 94 Points
2022 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Spatlese

Fascinating nose of vanilla bean, licorice, white peach and melon. Giant wet stone freshness that pushes the unfermented grape sweetness, inherent to this style, way into the background. Firm structure at the long, cool and subtly earthy finish. Drink or hold. Winemaker Notes - The extremely steep Brauneberg hillside is an isolated, south-facing slope that is one of the drier vineyards in the area, a great advantage in this wet, northern climate. The Juffer vineyard surrounds the smaller Juffer Sonnenuhr on three sides, extending both upstream and down- stream, as well as above the sundial. This vineyard produces lighter, more delicate wines than the warmer, riper Sonnenuhr vineyard. The late-picked Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Spätlese has fine, forceful fruit in the aroma, a linear focus on the palate and a pure slate finish. $38 Our Price $31.99 (Arrives GT 6/28/24)

Wine Advocate 95 Points
2022 Aperture Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc

The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is blended with 16% Sémillon and was matured mostly in French oak (33% new) plus a smaller portion of cement tank. It's the first vintage where so much Sémillon has been included—since acquiring Farrow Ranch in 2021, winemaker Jesse Katz has been able to add some of that site's fruit into his Aperture wines. It has alluring tones of white peach, kumquat, meringue and crème brûlée on the nose, plus wafts of floral perfume. The medium-bodied palate offers expansive flavors that segue from candied citrus to guava and vanilla pots de crème. It has a luxuriously satiny texture balanced by focused acidity and a very long, flavorful finish. $46 (Back in stock GT 6/28/24)

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 and VRW)

Wine Advocate 94 Points
2020 Bookwalter Protagonist Conner Lee Vineyard

Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Syrah and Petit Verdot, the 2020 Protagonist Conner Lee Vineyard bursts from the glass with a plushy frame of fresh plums, oak and freshly opened flowers. Full-bodied, the wine achieves a beautiful harmony, exhibiting freshness and juiciness within a structured and balanced framework. Concluding with elegance and power, this gorgeous wine glides to a beautiful and succulent finish that has me craving flame-kissed chops and steaks from the grill. Just under 25,000 bottles were produced. $68 Our Price $39.95 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Advocate 95+
2021 Aperture Cellars Bordeaux Red Blend

The 2021 Bordeaux Red Blend is the first iteration to include a significant amount of fruit from Farrow Ranch, Aperture's latest vineyard acquisition. It's a blend of 44% Merlot, 27% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and 9% Cabernet Franc and was matured for 18 months in 50% new French oak. It has slowly unfurling scents of red and black currants, chocolate-covered cherries, integrated new oak spices, tobacco and tapenade. The palate is particularly elegant, balancing concentrated, nuanced flavors with a frame of velvety tannins and vibrant acidity that calls you back to the glass. 5,270 cases produced. $65 (Back in stock GT 6/28/24)

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Taste 2022 DRY CREEK Sauvignon Blanc Dry Creek Valley, 2022 Roar Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir and 2021 Amici Napa Cabernet Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, June 28th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

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

2022 Roar Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: Leather, tobacco, and cola in a dense, masculine cloak of ripe dark berries makes one imagine sipping this in an old 19th-century library. This wine has a refined richness that stands out, and ages beautifully. $80

James Suckling 94 Points
2021 Amici Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Aromas of blackcurrants, iodine, oyster shell, and dark chocolate. Medium- to full-bodied with polished fine tannins that run the length of the wine with chocolate, hazelnut, and blueberries. Give it time to come together. Best after 2025. $50

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Taste 2022 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Aveta Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, 2022 Summer Dreams Twilight Sonoma Coast Pinot and 2020 Chateau Buena Vista Napa Cabernet Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, June 29th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

2022 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Aveta Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

Winemaker Notes: The 2022 AVETA Sauvignon Blanc oers fragrant aromas of grapefruit, lemongrass, citrus, lychee and orange blossom. The wine is bright and lively on the palate with a thirst-quenching acidity and pure flavors of mandarin orange and honeysuckle that lead to a lasting aftertaste. Try pairing AVETA with fresh fish ceviche, crab cakes or grilled oysters with mignonette sauce. $39

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

James Suckling 94 Points

2020 Chateau Buena Vista Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Expressive and lush nose of creamy berries, dark cherries, vanilla, cassis and sweet oak spices. Full body with fine, creamy tannins. Rich and full of generous creamy berries and an equally demonstrative and dense finish with excellent length. Better from 2025. $45

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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