On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Wine Spectator 92 Points
Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico 2021

A racy version, this boasts black cherry, blueberry, violet and iron flavors. Features a firm line of tannins that work in concert with the acidity, while flashes of Mediterranean scrub peek through. Mouthwatering finish. Sangiovese and Merlot. Drink now through 2032. 15,000 cases made, 14,000 cases imported. $30

Wine Spectator 94 Points
Ridge Geyserville Alexander Valley 2022

Deeply structured and bright with acidity, this combines power with grace. Black cherry and dark plum flavors take on licorice, green peppercorn and Asian five-spice accents as this builds toward broad-shouldered tannins. Zinfandel, Carignane, Petite Sirah and Mataro. Drink now through 2035. 7,500 cases made. $56

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Taste 2021 Pinot Noir: MacMurray Ranch Estate Russian River, RÉSONANCE Willamette Valley and Roar Santa Lucia Highlands Sierra Mar Vineyard Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, August 1st. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2021 MacMurray Ranch Estate Russian River Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: The MacMurray Estate Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir opens with aromas of lavender and boysenberry, giving way to flavors of dark cherry, pomegranate and vanilla. This luscious wine has a silky mouthfeel, framed by subtle hints of oak from barrel aging. $30

Wine Spectator 94 Points
RÉSONANCE Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2021

Precise and elegantly structured, with detailed raspberry, savory tea and crushed stone accents that gather richness and tension toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2031. 10,870 cases made.—T.F. $40

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

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Wine Advocate 94 Points
La Vizcaina by Raul Perez Las Gundinas Tinto 2021

The 2021 La Vizcaína Las Gundiñas has a slightly earthy touch and is a variable wine that feels quite harmonious and clean, as it's from a plot that sometimes suffers in cooler years. They are going to change the vinification of this plot to achieve more precision. They used 100% full clusters and matured it in well-seasoned, neutral 500-liter oak vats. It is cleaner and more precise this year. 5,500 bottles were filled in May 2020. $50 Our Price $39.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
COPAÍN Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2021

This white opens with pretty flavors of peach cobbler and a note of wild fennel, accented by sweet cream hints and a touch of lemon mint, before the intense acidity swoops in and brightens up the flavors, adding a mouthwatering liveliness on the finish. Drink now. 995 cases made. From California—MaryAnn Worobiec. $40 Our Price $34.95 (Available GT)

Vinous 95 Points
Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel Blend 2021

The 2021 Lytton Springs is fabulous. Bright and vibrant to its core, the 2021 impresses with its poise. Readers will find a Lytton Springs that is very much in reserve, as opposed to the rest of the 2021s in this report, all of which are more approachable. Salivating acids and veins of tannin lend shape and persistence, but the 2021 needs time. Red cherry fruit, blood orange, rose petal and sage are some of the notes that linger on the close. $56 Our Price $49.95 (Back in stock GT 8/2/24)

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2022 Merry Edwards Winery Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Boasting a rich magenta/ruby hue, the 2022 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is classic and very much in the style lovers of this estate have come to expect. It’s ripe with notes of fresh black cherries, scorched earth, violets, and dark forest earth. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the palate with sweet tannins and is generous without feeling heavy. Long on the finish and fully dry. It’s a very well-styled Pinot Noir from this challenging vintage that’s going to drink well over the next 6-8 years. $60 (Available GT)

Wine Spectator 94 Points
Drouhin Oregon Roserock Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2022

Supple and elegantly structured, with detailed raspberry and cherry flavors that are accented by rose petal, brown baking spices and orange peel as this glides toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2032. 15,100 cases made. $44 Our Price $36.95 (Available GT and VRW)

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Taste 2021 GARY FARRELL Chardonnay Russian River Valley Russian River Selection, 2021 Oberon Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon and 2020 The Setting Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, August 2nd. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 92 Points
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

2021 Oberon Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Irresistible aromas of rose petals and blueberry cobbler lead to ripe, supple silky tannins. Flavors of vibrant black cherry, candied blackberry, and red plum are complimented by notes of black currant and licorice, with a hint of coffee, dark chocolate and spice – all culminating into a lingering and delicious finish. $25

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 Patrick Bottex Bugey Cerdon La Cueille, VILMART Brut Champagne Grand Cellier NV and Bollinger Brut Champagne Special Cuvée NV at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, August 3rd. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

Patrick Bottex Bugey Cerdon La Cueille

Importer Notes: Bugey-Cerdon is anything but a serious wine. Its seductive deep pink glimmers in the glass, emanating ambrosial fragrances of alpine strawberries and roses. It dances over the palate, just sweet enough, perked up by a fine bead and a crystalline finish crisp as a mineral spring. Great wine does not need to be thought-provoking or meditative—Patrick’s Bugey-Cerdon is proof that a top terroir can manifest itself in the most festive and carefree of ways. —Anthony Lynch $25

Wine Spectator 94 Points
VILMART Brut Champagne Grand Cellier NV

A sculpted Champagne, rich but still elegant, with well-honed acidity and a panoply of flavors set on the raw silklike mousse. Delivers grilled macadamia nut and biscuit, white cherry and nectarine fruit, crystallized honey, lime blossom, star anise and smoke accents. Long, salty finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Disgorged January 2023. Drink now through 2033. 700 cases imported. —Alison Napjus. $89

Decanter 95 Points
Bollinger Brut Champagne Special Cuvée NV

If it’s good enough for James Bond, it’s good enough for you. Bollinger Champagne has made a number of cameos in James Bond films over the year. This non-vintage Special Cuvée is an example of a classic Champagne done well. Notes of marzipan on the nose and the palate give toastiness and leesy notes, specifically sourdough. It’s classic for a reason and would only elevate any table it finds itself on. $95

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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