On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Louis Michel & Fils Chablis Vaillons 2022

Expressive and complex, this flinty white features peach, lemon, mineral and lanolin aromas and flavors. Harmonious and silky in texture, evolving nicely on the palate to the long fruit- and mineral-stained aftertaste. Drink now through 2033. 100 cases imported. $55

Wine Advocate 96 Points
2020 Donnachadh Sta. Rita Hills Estate Pinot Noir

The 2020 Pinot Noir Estate is concentrated and structured and will benefit from more bottle time. Medium ruby, it has intense aromas of dried cranberry, burnt orange peel, cinnamon stick, aniseed, tar and chaparral. The medium-bodied palate is chalky and fresh with crunchy red fruits and loads of botanical and earthy accents, and it finishes with a touch of sweet spice across the finish. $65

James Suckling 94 Points
2021 Beaulieu Vineyards Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Very aromatic and vivid with hints of ink, stone and blackberry with some black currant. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins and a fresh, juicy finish. Nice fluidity to it. Lovely texture at the end. 82% cabernet sauvignon with petit sirah and others, including touriga nacional. Drink or hold. $40

Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points
2021 Herman Story Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard

I always love Russell's take on this vineyard and the 2021 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard is up with the best I've tasted from him. Sporting a deep purple hue as well as a gorgeous perfume of ripe red and blackberries, spring flowers, graphite, black pepper, and hints of game, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, spicy, incredibly complex style, polished tannins, and fabulous length on the finish. This ripe, blockbuster-styled Syrah stays flawlessly balanced, has polished tannins, and no hard edges. I love it today, yet it will keep for a solid decade. $78

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Taste Pinot Noir: 2022 BREWER-CLIFTON Sta. Rita Hills, 2022 Merry Edwards Winery Russian River and 2021 Roar Santa Lucia Highlands Rosella’s Vineyard at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Thursday, August 22nd. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 93 Points
BREWER-CLIFTON Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills 2022

This is generous in feel, with a plump edge to its cherry and damson plum fruit compote notes, offering hints of tobacco, warm earth and singed herbs that stay in the background. The light-handed toast lets everything knit easily through the finish. Drink now through 2033. —J.M. $50

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

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
2021 Roar Rosella’s Pinot Noir

The 2021 Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard brings a more concentrated, serious feel and offers ripe mulberry and cherry fruit as well as scorched earth, graphite, and minerality, with nicely integrated oak. It's medium-bodied, concentrated, and focused, with a beautiful mouthfeel. It needs 2-3 years in the cellar (you'd be forgiven for enjoying a bottle today) and will evolve nicely over the following decade. $80

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2023 La Bernarde Cotes de Provence Les Hauts de Luc Rose

Winemaker Notes: Bright and minerally focused, displaying blood orange rind, wild strawberry and delicate floral aromas in the glass. Energetic and precise on the palate, offering raspberry, red currant, pomelo, nectarine and crushed rocks. $21 Our Price $17.99 (Back in stock GT 6/22/24)

Wine Spectator 95 Points
Casa Emma Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2018

Pretty aromas of violet, kirsch, raspberry and black currant herald this elegant, vibrant red, which is firmly built, with a supple texture offsetting dusty tannins. Approachable now for its balance and fruit, but this should age well too. Best from 2023 through 2040. 700 cases made, 400 cases imported. $52 (Available GT)

Wine Spectator 92 Points
Casa Emma Chianti Classico Vignalparco Riserva 2018

This red exhibits pure black currant and blackberry fruit, along with elements of violet, tomato leaf and iron. Quickly turns compact and lightly astringent on the finish. Best from 2024 through 2037. 1,600 cases made, 900 cases imported. $35 Our Price $27.99 (Available GT)

James Suckling 91 Points
Chateau d'Angles La Clape Classique Rouge 2020

A solid and compact red with notes of blackberries, dark plums, tar, leather, chocolate and hazelnuts. Medium- to- full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Structured at this stage with volume and texture on the mid-palate. Excellent length in the finish. Best after 2025. $20 Our Price $10.99 (Arrives GT this afternoon)

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Taste 2022 Alpha Omega Two Squared Arroyo Seco Chardonnay, 2021 J. Lohr Hilltop Paso Cabernet Sauvignon and 2019 Scarlett Rutherford Napa Cabernet at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, August 23rd. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points
2022 Alpha Omega Two Squared Arroyo Seco Chardonnay

This label for Alpha Omega Collective presents a very satisfying take on Chardonnay in this bottling, starting with melon, ripe pear and struck stone aromas. The palate is tightly wound and bouncy with citrusy energy, as stonefruit and light pineapple flavors add depth. — Matt Kettmann $32

2021 J. Lohr Hilltop Paso Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Exhilarating blackberry and blueberry aromas are enhanced by crushed violet, herbes de Provence, and spiced tea. On the palate, dense and soft, with finely textured tannins. Juicy layers of black and red currants lead to a bright finish, accented by pastry notes from extended barrel aging. $35

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
2019 Scarlett Rutherford Napa Cabernet

Beautiful, sweet cassis and blue fruits, as well as lots of violet and floral notions, emerge from the Scarlett 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, a full-bodied, rich, concentrated barrel sample with wonderful purity of fruit, a good sense of freshness, and serious length on the finish. This promising, elegant yet powerful wine is going to shine with short-term bottle age and keep for two decades. $79

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Taste 2022 J. Lohr Chardonnay Arroyo Seco October Night, 2021 Bacchant Luli SLH Syrah and 2021 Andremily No 10 Syrah at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, August 24th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

Wine Spectator 91 Points
2022 J. Lohr Chardonnay Arroyo Seco October Night

A plump white, with notes of grilled pineapple, ripe peach, crème brûlée and poached pear making a rich, creamy core, backed by accents of wildflower honey and a fresh thread of acidity that give this length, depth and focus. Drink now. 3,400 cases made. $25

2021 Bacchant Luli SLH Syrah

Winemaker Notes: Intense aromas of violet, lavender and dark, rich fruits draw the nose into this bottling from a region where Syrah tends to age with remarkable intrigue and grace. Blackberry and more purple-flower flavors pop on the palate, which will only grow more cohesive, gamy and interesting with patience. Drink 2025-2041. $24

Jeb Dunnuck 100 Points
2021 Andremily No 10 Syrah

The 2021 No 10 checks in as 93% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, and 2% Viognier that was raised in 65% new French oak for 22 months. It shows that classic 2021 focus and purity, with darker berry and cassis-like fruits intermixed with ground pepper, sandalwood, violets, and smoky, meaty nuances. With full-bodied richness, it's incredibly concentrated and has ultra-fine tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. This absolutely heavenly red from the genius of Jim Binns tops out my scale. It should benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and have over two decades of ultimate longevity. $150

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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