On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Laird Family Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2021

A lush, flattering style, with warmed cassis, fresh açaí berry and boysenberry pâte de fruit notes pressed together by bittersweet cocoa–accented toast. Dark and winey through the finish, with a streak of tar underneath that gives the lush fruit a solid grounding. Best from 2025 through 2037. 1,400 cases made. $70

Jeb Dunnuck 98+ Points
2019 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is an incredible wine, and it flirts with perfection. Full-bodied and concentrated, it has flawless balance and elegance as well as just textbook Howell Mountain notes of blue fruits, cassis, violets, graphite, and background oak. I love its tannins, it has remarkable purity of fruit, and a great, great finish. It has some appeal today yet deserves 4-5 years of bottle age and should have over two decades of longevity. $110

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Taste Pinot Noir: 2022 Flowers Sonoma Coast, 2020 Donnachadh Sta. Rita Hills Estate and 2022 Roar Pinot Noir Clos Pepe at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Thursday, August 29th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points
2022 Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Ripe ruby/red in color, the 2022 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast is ripe and spicy, with aromas of cherries, cinnamon, beet root, and incense. Medium-bodied, it has a weightless feel, a chalky, fine-grained texture, and a spicy finish with notes of gravelly earth. $50

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

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2022 Roar Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Sta. Rita Hills

The only release not from the Santa Lucia Highlands, the 2022 Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard comes from a site on the northern edge of the Sta. Rita Hills. Its medium ruby/plum hue is followed by a smoky, red and black-fruited effort that has notions of scorched earth, roasted herbs, and subtle yet classic Sta. Rita Hills salty, marine-like nuances. Much more structured and tannic compared to the Santa Lucia Highlands releases, it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, has a focused mouthfeel, building tannins, and a great finish. Despite its structure, there's ample fruit here, and this beauty offers loads of pleasure, and it's a good counterpoint in the lineup. Drink bottles any time over the coming decade. $80

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WOW-45% Off!
James Suckling 91 Points
Château-d'Anglès 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 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 90 Points
St.-Cosme Côtes du Rhône 2022

A hefty version of Côtes du Rhône, with a lot of stuffing, showing ripe black plum and black currant flavors layered with black pepper and grilled rosemary. Sturdy tannins hem in the creamy palate, with a kick of bitter mineral and graphite through the medium-length finish. Very solid. Drink now through 2028. 27,000 cases imported. $21 Our Price $15.99 (Available GT and VRW)

94 Points-Wine Enthusiast-October 2024
2023 Meadowcroft Pinot Noir Anderson Valley

Winemaker Notes: 2023 vintage Pinot does not disappoint. Aromas of cherry cordial, vanilla, Amarena cherry and notes of rose petal SUGGESTED FOOD PAIRING match. Other favorites include cedar plank grilled salmon, roast smooth triple creme cheeses or aged and salty cheeses like Gouda or sharp cheddar. $42 Our Price $19.99 (Arrives GT this afternoon)

2021 Pier Paolo Grasso 'Riva' Langhe Nebbiolo

Importer Notes: This wine shows a deep purple, almost dark red color. On the nose, it has pleasant violet and wisteria flowers, followed by fruity notes of plum and black cherry, spices, in particular blackpepper and nutmeg, and a light graphite finish. The palate is full and savory, with well-smoothed tannins and floral finish with hints of red fruits. Perfect with roasted veal and grilled meats or by itself on long summer afternoons. Lightly chilled, it pleasantly accompanies signature meats and cheeses of the Piedmontese tradition. $22 (Available GT)

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2019 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

The base 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is terrific, and while I don’t know the price, I suspect it’s a great value. Deep purple-hued, with terrific mulled currant and blackberry fruits, it has lots of ripe herbal, chocolaty spice notes, full-bodied richness, sweet tannins, and a great finish. This is pure Napa Valley goodness to drink over the coming 10-15 years. $85 (Back in stock GT this afternoon)

Wine Advocate 98+ Points
2021 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon

Slated for a September 2024 release, Spottswoode's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon comes across as more vibrant, floral and fresh than the 2020. Violet and cassis notes are accented by hints of crushed stone and pencil shavings on the nose. Hugely complex yet harmonious, this medium-bodied effort is firm but silky in feel, with a long, elegant finish. Lovely stuff. $285 (Available GT)

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Taste 2023 Margerum Sybarite Happy Canyon Sauvignon Blanc, 2019 Goldschmidt Hilary Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon and 2021 Alpha Omega Napa Cabernet Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, August 30th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

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

2019 Goldschmidt Hilary Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: The fresh bright red hue with purple edges leads into aromas of black cherry with hints of raspberry and black plum. The mouth opens with delicious vanilla and mocha merged with the same cherry and plum found on the nose. Enticing traces of graphite and a mineral essence build down the length of the mouth, joining pomegranate and more vanilla in the finish. $60

Wine Enthusiast 94 Points
2021 Alpha Omega Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

This densely flavorful, velvety-textured wine goes deep in dark chocolate, toasted oak and blackberry jam flavors for a tempting richness that makes it accessible soon, while built ideally for aging. Best from 2025–2035. $145

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Taste Champagne: Taittinger Brut La Française, Delamotte Le Mesnil sur Oger depuis Brut and Delamotte Le Mesnil sur Oger depuis Brut Rose at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Saturday, August 31st. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

James Suckling 92 Points
Taittinger Brut La Française

A dry, fresh and delicious Taittinger with aromas and flavors of apples, fresh lemons and minerals. Full-bodied. Precise. White pepper and salt at the end. 40% chardonnay and 35% pinot noir, the rest pinot meunier. Three to four years on the lees. Drink now. $70

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points
Delamotte Le Mesnil sur Oger depuis Brut

Based on the 2018 vintage, the NV Champagne Brut is 60% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, and 5% Meunier. Fresh and inviting aromas of white flowers, ripe pear, and quince are followed by a ripe, medium-bodied wine on the palate. Juicy up front and through the long finish, it delivers wonderfully ripe fruit and purity without feeling harsh. It’s ready to drink now or over the next 5-7 years. They have been gradually increasing the proportion of Chardonnay in the blend and decreasing the Meunier. 8 grams per liter of dosage. $75

James Suckling 94 Points
Delamotte Le Mesnil sur Oger depuis Brut Rose

The quality of this NV rosé is subtle, with such beautiful aromas of cherry, orange peel, pomegranate and honeysuckle. Hints of bitter lemon and sliced strawberry. Medium body with very fine bubbles and a creamy, lively finish. The base is 2021. Two years on the lees. Dosage 7.5g/L. Small production. Only 10,000 bottles made. Drink or hold. $120

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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