On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2022 Walter Hansel Winery Pinot Noir The South Slope Vineyard

The 2022 Pinot Noir The South Slope Vineyard is made entirely from the Dijon clone 777 and pours a deep magenta hue. In the glass, it gives off a more floral perfume, with notes of violets, black raspberry coulis, sweet cedar, and mossy forest floor, and brighter fresh red fruit comes through on the palate. Medium-bodied, it reveals more focus on the palate, with a mouthwatering feel, and it has fine tannins and a light, salty finish. A very lovely wine, it’s going to reach its tenth birthday with ease if stored properly. 405 cases were produced. $47

2022 Pahlmeyer Jayson Napa Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: Our 2022 Jayson Chardonnay achieves a beautiful equilibrium of richness, buoyancy, and intricacy. Aromas of sweet Meyer lemon, crushed almond, and grilled pineapple lead to a concentrated palate of bright lemon curd and orange blossom honey underscored by fresh pear and toasted nuttiness with a hint of baking spice. The texture is classic Pahlmeyer, plush and detailed, while the presence of bright Carneros fruit brings energy and litheness. Flavors are lifted and extended on a spine of bright acidity, the lingering finish striking an ideal balance between opulence and mouthwatering freshness. $65

Wine Advocate 94 Points
2022 Sandhi Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

The 2022 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills comes from declassified fruit grown at Domaine de la Côte, plus purchased fruit from three other vineyards, including La Rinconada. It's a particularly complex and expressive iteration of Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir from Sandhi. It has an alluring perfume of raspberry, strawberry, tea leaves, tobacco, potpourri and gravel dust, and it reveals botanical undertones as it spends time in the glass. The light-bodied palate has a deep core of spicy, herbal fruit, a frame of chalky tannins, energetic acidity and a long, layered finish. $48

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Taste 2022 Louis Michel & Fils Chablis, 2022 Louis Michel & Fils Chablis Vaillons and 2020 Domaine Collotte Gevrey-Chambertin Les Evocelles at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Tuesday, September 10th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 90 Points
Louis Michel & Fils Chablis 2022

Bright and succulent, this open and enjoyable white exhibits peach, melon, thyme and flint notes, offering fine balance and a persistent finish. Drink now through 2027. 1,650 cases imported. $44

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

2020 Domaine Collotte Gevrey-Chambertin Les Evocelles

Winemaker Notes: The wine shows excellent lift and finesse and freshness to the aromas. The palate is very expressive already with fine structure and silky fine tannins. A very fine addition to the range. ”The Domaine is the only owner of Evocelles in Gevrey – as opposed to Brochon. A vibrant, high-toned width of aroma. Nicely structural, a little unready in the flavours but nice shape and perfume. $62

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Taste 2021 Pier Paolo Grasso Riva Langhe Nebbiolo, 2021 Antinori Toscana Villa Antinori and 2021 Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove Dell'Ornellaia at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Wednesday, September 11th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2021 Pier Paolo Grasso Riva Langhe Nebbiolo

Winemaker 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 black pepper 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

Wine Spectator 92 Points
Antinori Toscana Villa Antinori 2021

Cherry, pomegranate and plum aromas and flavors are the main themes in this dense red, punctuated with loam, spice, mineral and wild rosemary notes. Harmonious and solidly built, this picks up steam through the long, fruit- and savory-infused aftertaste. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Best from 2027 through 2043. 130,000 cases made, 37,369 cases imported. $25

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
2021 Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove Dell'Ornellaia

This is one of the great vintages for this cuvée and would be a wine for lovers of Bordeaux. The 2021 Le Serre Nuove Dell'Ornellaia sports a saturated red hue and opens to a great layered and harmonious nose, with aromas of kirsch, leather, fresh Mediterranean herbs, and crushed flowers that all resonate together with wonderful purity and depth. It’s open and generous on the palate, with refined, polished tannins, outstanding length, and refreshing acidity that’s seamlessly woven into the wine. Boy, is this hard to resist now and is a truly stunning wine from recently departed winemaker Olga Fusari. Bravo. Stash as much of this as you can away – it’s one for the ages. A great feather in the cap for Axel Heinz as well, it can only increase anticipation of the house’s top label for next year. Bravo tutti. Drink 2024-2044. $75

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Taste 2022 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Land's Edge Vineyards, 2021 Black Stallion Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and 2022 Bevan Ontogeny Napa Proprietary Red at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, September 12th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2022 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Land's Edge Vineyards

From the far Sonoma Coast, the 2022 Pinot Noir Land's Edge Vineyards was aged for 9 months in 32% new French oak barrels. In the glass, it displays a medium ruby color and offers expressive notes of red berries, cranberries, and juniper. There’s a good bit of reduction initially that benefits from a little air at this stage, but it starts to reveal darker notes as it opens, so I would recommend decanting if opening it on the young side. The palate has a wonderful, compact feel, with refreshing lift, fine tannins, and a snappy finish. I personally enjoy the bright and coiled energy that comes through in this one. It’s a lovely wine that is going to drink well over the next 15 years. $48

2021 Black Stallion Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Spicy, with clove and juicy black-cherry flavors, this approachable, densely packed wine is full of fruit and integrated power, yet surprisingly balanced. Soft chocolate and tobacco notes accent the fruit as a long finish wraps up the experience. $35

2022 Bevan Ontogeny Napa Proprietary Red

Winemaker Notes: Wow! Best of the best red wine blend of our "big boy" vineyards! This may be the best Ontogeny we have yet to produce. It is over 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, mainly fron the Tench Vineyard. This is a Cabernet lovers Ontogney! Pure, blue lush fruit profile with mouth-filling texture. Gorgeous, dark, and rich. If you are Tench fan, you will be impressed by this bottling of our 2022 Ontogeny. $100

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Wine Spectator 92 Points
Antinori Toscana Villa Antinori 2021

Cherry, pomegranate and plum aromas and flavors are the main themes in this dense red, punctuated with loam, spice, mineral and wild rosemary notes. Harmonious and solidly built, this picks up steam through the long, fruit- and savory-infused aftertaste. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Best from 2027 through 2043. 130,000 cases made, 37,369 cases imported. $25 Our Price $21.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Advocate 94 Points
2022 Sandhi Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

The 2022 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills comes from declassified fruit grown at Domaine de la Côte, plus purchased fruit from three other vineyards, including La Rinconada. It's a particularly complex and expressive iteration of Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir from Sandhi. It has an alluring perfume of raspberry, strawberry, tea leaves, tobacco, potpourri and gravel dust, and it reveals botanical undertones as it spends time in the glass. The light-bodied palate has a deep core of spicy, herbal fruit, a frame of chalky tannins, energetic acidity and a long, layered finish. $48 Our Price $39.95

James Suckling 94 Points
2021 Pahlmeyer Jason Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

So creamy, chocolatey and layered despite full tannins and a full body, this is a rich, oak-spiced and saturated, classic Napa cabernet. Aged in 70% new French barrels for 15 months, it offers black cherries and blackberries with vanilla bean, cocoa, cassis and toasted walnut accents. A big wine that’s drinkable now with a rich protein. Best from 2028. $95 (Back in stock GT 9/12/24)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Aston Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2021

This pumps out tasty mulberry and black cherry fruit paste flavors, which show drive and focus as singed anise, warm earth and black tea notes come into play. Reveals late savory and bramble notes, which inject a nice hint of wild energy into the well-structured finish. Best from 2024 through 2030. 1,500 cases made. $45 (Back in stock GT 9/11/24)

Pre-Arrival Notice!
Wine Spectator 95 Points
Ghost Block Cabernet Sauvignon Yountville Ghost Block Vineyard 2021

This bursts with bramble, licorice snap, blackberry and mulberry aromas and flavors that are energetic and juicy through the finish, where a flash of iris kicks in. A graphite spine to keep this honest. For fans of the exuberant style. Drink now through 2040. 1,347 cases made. $125 (Arrives GT 9/17/24) Email stan@grapetray.com

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Taste 2021 Cattleya Pinot Noir Cuvee Number Eight, 2022 DAOU Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve and 2021 Hess Collection Lion Tamer Napa Valley Cabernet at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, September 13th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
2021 Cattleya Wines Pinot Noir Cuvee Number Eight

A semi-opaque, deep ruby with a purple hint, the 2021 Pinot Noir Cuvee Number Eight takes on a darker profile, with wet stone, blackberry, pepper, and grilled rosemary. Full-bodied, it brings more structure, with ripe tannins, iron-rich earth, and kirsch as well as fresh lift on the finish. Drink 2025-2035 $65

Wine Advocate 92-94 Points
2022 DAOU Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is a barrel sample of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Petit Verdot maturing for 16 months in 50% new French oak and is due to be bottled in the spring of 2024. The nose offers wild berry fruit streaked with graphite and nuances of truffle, forest floor and oak spices. The full-bodied palate is highly concentrated and floral, with approachable, clay-textured tannins, satisfying bursts of acidity and a long, perfumed finish. $55

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points
2021 Hess Collection Lion Tamer Napa Valley Cabernet

Polished and perfumed, this elegant wine drinks easily now but has the balance and quiet concentration to help it improve for several years. Lush black cherries, black currants and blueberries fill the palate, buoyed on moderate tannins and spiced with toast, cinnamon and cedar notes from oak barrels. Blended with 8% Malbec. $65

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Taste Sparking Wine and Champagne: Lambert de Seyssel Petit Royal Brut, Roederer Anderson Valley Brut and 2013 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Saturday, September 14th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

Lambert de Seyssel Petit Royal Brut

Importer Notes: The village of Seyssel, in the French Alps, has a history of viticulture dating back centuries, having built a reputation for floral-scented charmers from the local grapes, Molette and Altesse. Produced in the méthode traditionnelle and aged for two years sur latte, the Petit Royal is unequaled in the world of sparkling wine: alpine flowers, dried fruit, wildflower honey, and a toasty, yeasty note give this value sparkler an utterly delightful aromatic richness and complexity. Serve it with various salty toasts to kick off your next dinner party, or pop one open to liven up a night at home with a big bowl of mac and cheese. –Anthony Lynch $22

Decanter 94 Points
Roederer Anderson Valley Brut

Always a solid wine from Anderson Valley, this NV is built of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir and offers pretty lemony and lemon oil notes atop a bed of fragrant white flowers. Very round and complete with an assertive mousse, just-baked bread, and bruised yellow apple fruit. This bubbly has excellent depth and a terrific mineral finish. Aged a minimum of two years on the yeast, clocking in at 10 g/L. 85,000 9-litre cases produced. $30

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 98 Points
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs 2013

The 2013 Comtes de Champagne captures all the pedigree of this great vintage in its energy, depth and vibrancy. Lemon confit, dried flowers, chamomile, spice and crushed rocks all race across the palate. Passionfruit, ginger, marzipan and mint appear later, filling out the layers beautifully. Harvest took place in October in what has become the exception rather than the norm in Champagne. $220

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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