On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points
Beckmen 2021 Cuvée Le Bec Red

This wine always overdelivers, and this vintage's blend of 50% Syrah, 38% Grenache, 7% Mourvèdre and 5% Counoise continues the tradition. Aromas of baked berry, cinnamon, mace and wood on the nose land with lively energy on the palate. The brisk plum and cinnamon flavors are undercut by clay, dust and fine tannins. A very versatile wine for the table. $30

2023 Beckmen Sauvignon Blanc

Winemaker Notes: The cool vintage in 2023 helped create a beautiful Sauvignon Blanc. Brimming with tons of tropical and citrus fruit aromas and flavors, the wine has tremendous fruit weight with great acidity. Incorporating skin contact prior to pressing (6 hours on average) brought another level of texture and roundness to the vintage, all balanced by amazing acidity that keeps the wine fresh, focused and vibrant. Do not miss this epic vintage of our Santa Ynez Valley Sauvignon Blanc. $25

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points
2023 Margerum Sybarite Happy Canyon Sauvignon Blanc

This always excellent bottling explodes on the nose with greasy, lime pith and delicate peach aromas. The palate is grippy in texture yet mellow in flavor, presenting easy-to-enjoy grass, peach and wet stone flavors. $26

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Just released! Enjoy a glass of the 2023 GB MorgaenLee SB for $10. Available this week (Tuesday through Saturday)

2023 Ghost Block MorgaenLee Sauvignon Blanc

Winemaker Notes: Pronounced aromas waft immediately from the glass with just-ripe peaches, lemon, grapefruit, and honeydew with subtle notes of jasmine. The palate matches the fruit aromas of this well-rounded and medium-bodied wine with a mid-palate tangy acidity followed by a mouthwatering finish. $25

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Taste Pinot Noir: 2022 La Crema Sonoma Coast, 2022 Admire Sonoma Coast and 2019 Rhys Alpine Vineyard at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Tuesday, August 6th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2022 La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir offers aromas of raspberry, cranberry, black licorice, and exotic tea notes. On the palate, red cherry, plum, and boysenberry, subtle hints of espresso and cocoa nib underpin notes of spice and toast. Firm yet integrated tannins and bright acidity drives a long finish. $28

2022 Admire Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: This elegant wine pleases with fresh raspberry aromas accented with vanilla and deepened with a soft earthy tone. The lush palate is round and textured with refreshing acidity and silky tannins. It’s a journey that’s been years in the making, but for Dan Kosta, the love of Pinot Noir is a journey that will never end. $33

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points
2019 Rhys Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard

I loved the 2019 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard, a spicy, perfumed, more ethereal Pinot Noir from a great vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Revealing a translucent ruby hue as well as notes of ripe cherries, strawberries, sappy flowers, spice, and sappy underbrush, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, silky yet building tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. It's one of the most balanced, complete wines in the lineup and will keep for 10-15 years. $135

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Taste 2019 San Giorgio Brunello di Montalcino Ugolforte and 2021 ANTINORI Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $25 per person. (Limited: We will open one bottle of each wine for this tasting)
Wednesday, August 7th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 95 Points
San Giorgio Brunello di Montalcino Ugolforte 2019

Vibrant acidity and refined tannins seep into the fabric of this round red, which is laced with cherry, raspberry and floral aromas and flavors. Mineral and underbrush accents add depth as this plays out on the long, dusty finish. Best from 2026 through 2043. 8,300 cases made, 2,000 cases imported. $70

Wine Spectator 97 Points
ANTINORI Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso 2021

The pedigree and purity of this red are evident immediately from its black currant, blackberry, pomegranate, violet and wild herb aromas. Saturated with red and black fruit and picking up licorice and mineral elements, this is all about finesse and harmony. Cruises to the long finish, which is tinged with fruit, mineral, cedar, licorice and spice notes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Best from 2026 through 2043. —B.S. $175

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Taste Zinfandel: 2019 Seghesio Sonoma County, 2021 Ridge Lytton Springs and 2022 Ridge Geyserville Alexander Valley at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, August 8th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 92 Points
Seghesio Zinfandel Sonoma County Sonoma 2019

Plump and briary, this is a zesty update on old-school Zin, offering wild berry, underbrush and licorice flavors that build richness and structure on the lively finish. Drink now through 2028. 100,685 cases made. $26

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

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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Vinous 90 Points
Adami Garbel Brut Prosecco

The NV Brut Prosecco Garbel mixes savory and sweet with a bouquet of crushed rocks and dusty dried flowers complementing hints of green melon. This is silky in feel without a hard edge in sight, as juicy acidity enlivens its candied citrus fruits. The Garbel takes on a tropical flair through the finale, mixing hints of kiwi with vivid young mango. The final takeaway is how remarkably fresh and clean it leaves the palate. This is a total pleasure to taste. $20 Our Price $17.99 (Arrives GT 8/8/24)

Wine Spectator 95 Points
San Giorgio Brunello di Montalcino Ugolforte 2019

Vibrant acidity and refined tannins seep into the fabric of this round red, which is laced with cherry, raspberry and floral aromas and flavors. Mineral and underbrush accents add depth as this plays out on the long, dusty finish. Best from 2026 through 2043. 8,300 cases made, 2,000 cases imported. $70 Our Price $56.99 (Available GT and 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 Our Price $22.45

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 Our Price $47.95 (Available GT and VRW)

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 (Available GT and VRW)

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Taste 2022 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Paso Robles, 2020 Morgan Cotes du Crow's and 2021 ALBAN Syrah Edna Valley Patrina Alban Estate at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person. 
Friday, August 9th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 93 Points
2022 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Paso Robles

Elegant structure meets a satiny texture in this red, which offers fresh cherry and raspberry flavors laced with cinnamon and red licorice notes before finishing with polished tannins. Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Counoise and Terret. Drink now through 2031. 3,875 cases made. $28

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points
2020 Morgan Cotes du Crow's

This is a smashing deal every vintage, and this year's blend of 58% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre and 3% Tempranillo doesn't disappoint. Fresh but savory aromas of roasted red fruit and baking spice drop into a tightly wound palate of snappy red currant and light pepper that rides a zippy acidity through the finish. $22

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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Taste 2022 Nielson Santa Barbara/Monterey Chardonnay, 2021 Ghost Block Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon and 2021 Kenefick Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Chris's Cuvée Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, August 10th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points
2022 Nielson Santa Barbara/Monterey Chardonnay

This bottling, formerly from a historic site in Santa Barbara County but now 75% from Monterey County, brings a lot to the table for a favorable price. Aromas of citrus sorbet and wet stone lead from the nose into a palate offering brisk apple, more citrus and high acidity. $18

2021 Ghost Block Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Intense, overt aromas of dark cherry & blackberries explode out of the glass. This wine is an elegant & balanced Oakville Cabernet on the palate with enticing flavors of deep red fruits and great structure & body; lengthened by the integrated oak notes of vanilla. These silky tannins make this wine very approachable with a long lasting finish and ready to drink upon release but bound for many cellars. $75

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

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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