4th of July Holiday Hours:

Grape Tray (GT)
Open 7/5 and 7/6/24

Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW)
Open 7/5 and 7/6/24

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On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Wine Spectator 91 Points
Rutherford Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2016

This has matured, showing a light mulled edge to its mix of raspberry, plum and cherry notes, while flickers of sassafras and red tea chime through the silky finish. Drink now through 2025. 11,679 cases made. $49

Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter 93 Points
Force & Grace Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

A really lovely, restrained effort from Paso Robles by Jean Hoefliger. Not to say the wine isn't powerful, full-bodied, or richly layered with a tapestry of inky dark black and blue fruit. It is all that, but immense structure and building tannins also create freshness and energy. Most fruit sources are from east Paso. Hoefliger had to pick specific sites earlier to avoid overripe flavours, and he left a good portion on the skins for almost 35 days to build a tannin structure $39.

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Wine Spectator 94 Points
Rutherford Hill Sauvignon Blanc Rutherford AJT Collection 2022

Stunning, this exuberant, generous version shows notes of passion fruit, Key lime, dried pineapple and orange blossoms, along with grated ginger. Reveals a hint of sea salt minerality on the long, expressive finish, where toasted herb accents linger. Drink now. 3,404 cases made. $34 Our Price $27.99 (Available GT)

2022 Merry Edwards Russian River Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: We first notice the beautiful garnet color followed by fragrances of vanilla cola, black raspberry, fresh thyme and plum compote. On entry, the mouthfeel is soft and lush, with notes of black cherry, plum, cassis and milk chocolate. Juicy acidity bonds with structured tannins and lifts the long, spicy finish. $60 (Available GT)

Wine Spectator 92 Points
Rombauer Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma-Napa Counties 2022

Fresh Fuji apple, pear and nectarine flavors are mouthwatering and juicy at the core of this white, but there are pretty accents for complexity and length, including a drizzle of wildflower honey, lemon curd, lemon verbena and fresh-grated ginger. Drink now. 48,002 cases made. $28 Our Price $24.99 (Available GT and VRW)

James Suckling 93 Points
2021 Trimbach Riesling Réserve Alsace

This elegant, medium-weight dry riesling is brimming with white tree fruit aromas plus notes of spring blossoms and garden herbs. You can’t fault it for charm, but neither can you for balance and structure. Long and bright citrusy finish. From old vineyards in Ribeauville and Bergheim. From organically grown grapes. Drink from release. Our Price $35.99 (Available GT)

 Wine Spectator 93 Points
MASSOLINO Barolo 2019

This red straddles the line between power and elegance, featuring delicate flavors of strawberry, cherry and rose hip, plus notes of earth, tar and iron. Finishes with more power and the grip of refined tannins, offering terrific balance and length. Best from 2026 through 2043. 7,080 cases made, 2,400 cases imported. $56 Our Price $49.95 (Available GT and VRW)

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 Our Price $24.99 (Available GT and VRW)

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Taste 2022 The Setting Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc, 2021 Aperture Cellars Bordeaux Red Blend and 2021 Aperture Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, July 5th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

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

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

Wine Advocate 96 Points
2021 Aperture Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Aperture's estate vineyard in Healdsburg and their newest vineyard acquisition, Farrow Ranch in Alexander Valley, plus some of the original single vineyards in the Aperture program like Oliver Ranch. It is blended with 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc and was matured for 16 months in 55% new French oak. It has vibrant, layered aromas of blueberry compote, lavender, aniseed, milk chocolate and nutmeg with undertones of cast iron and tobacco leaves. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled, pairing deep flavors with a weightless feel due to its bright acidity and velvety tannins. It has a long, latent finish and deserves 3-5 years in bottle. 4,480 cases produced. $80

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Taste 2020 Carlisle Derivative Sonoma, 2020 and 2021 ALBAN Syrah Edna Valley Patrina Alban Estate at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, July 6th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points
2020 Carlisle Derivative Sonoma

The 2020 The Derivative is fragrant with soft tropical notes of papaya, pink grapefruit, and honeysuckle flowers. The palate has gorgeous glycerin texture, with refreshing acidy and a long finish. Drink it over the next 5 or more years. $35

2020 Alban Syrah Edna Valley Patrina Alban Estate

Notes from John Alban: This wine is among my favorites for this offering yet produced. It is dark, full of black and blue berries, coco powder, and immediately pleasing and pure. It is, in our opinion, a wonderful and delicious expression of our farm and farming. $60

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

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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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