On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

2022 Thread Feathers Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Aromas of dusty graphite, crushed rock and dried herb linger with cocoa powder and coffee bean in this intensely concentrated, powerful, mountain-grown wine. Seamless, complex and structured, the palate offers a dense array of red and dark fruit flavors highlighted by cassis and tobacco leaf with hints of leather and blackberry compote. Soft, rich, and round, it delivers well-integrated, resolved tannin buoyed by a lively palate of bright acidity and a long-lasting finish. 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. $49

Vinous Media, Neal Martin 94-96 Points
2022 L'Arlot Nuits-St-Georges 1er cru Clos des Forêts St-Georges

 The 2022 Nuits Saint-Georges Clos des Forêts Saint Georges 1er Cru was also raised in 40% new oak. [Incidentally, 0.6ha will be planted with Chardonnay in 2024]. Slightly deeper in color compared to the Clos de l'Arlot, this has slightly more cohesion and complexity on the nose: dark cherries and crushed stone, a hint of wilted rose petals in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with beautifully integrated new oak, lending this a velvety veneer. It is a little plush yet with equivalent tension and a detailed, slightly piquant finish. This is an outstanding Nuits Saint-Georges from the Domaine. Drink 2026-2050 $182

Jeb Dunnuck 95-97 Points
2021 Hall Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn Hall

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn Hall comes from a mix of sites in the valley. It's a ripe, concentrated, impressive 2021 offering lots of ripe plum and darker currant-like fruit as well as ample baking spice, leather, and dried tobacco notes. Rich and full-bodied, with ripe tannins, beautiful mid-palate density, and a great finish, this ripe, sexy, pleasure-bent beauty will also evolve gracefully. $225

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Taste 2020 Sea Smoke Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay and 2020 The Mascot Napa Cabernet Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $25 per person. (Limited: We will open two bottles of each wine for this tasting)
Tuesday, September 17th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2020 Sea Smoke Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: An elegant Chardonnay with aromas of Meyer lemon zest, fresh cut melon and honeycomb. The nose is complemented by mandarin and a slight nuttiness in the focused mid-palate and the refreshing cool climate acidity of our estate vineyard. Barrel aged in French oak. $90

2020 The Mascot Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: The Mascot is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon made from distinct hillside vineyards; specifically the younger vines of BOND, Harlan Estate, and Promontory. It started out as a small project shared among the family, winemaking team, and close friends. Drawing fruit from blocks of recently replanted vineyards, The Mascot shares a glimpse into the evolution of its parent estates: a youthful snapshot of their future. A vibrant purity manifests within this vintage’s generosity, which advances without excess of weight or volume. Aromas of gentle red fruit give way, eventually, to a savory darkness and finely wrought core. An effortless, structural tension transforms into a silky softness on the palate that envelopes The Mascot’s inner depth and dimension. The 2020 vintage resonates rather than roars: its intricate threads of tannin, acidity, and nuance interweave to form a complete expression that shimmers with sensory detail. $185

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Taste 2021 Pahlmeyer Jayson Napa Chardonnay and 2021 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $30 per person. (Limited: We will open one bottle of each wine for this tasting)
Wednesday, September 18th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

James Suckling 93 Points
2021 Pahlmeyer Jayson Napa Chardonnay

Sliced cooked apple with some apple puree and apple blossom as well as lemon rind on the nose. Medium-bodied with creamy texture. Flint and mineral flavors. Good acidity and energy. Hints of fresh straw underneath. $60

Wine Advocate 96+ Points
2021 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red

The components of the 2021 Proprietary Red barely changed relative to the barrel sample I tasted last year, with 61% of the fruit being estate grown (Stagecoach and Waters Ranch), with the remainder coming from Upper Range (35%) and Vangone (4%). Dominant scents of cassis mark the nose, joined by hints of dark chocolate, black cherries and pencil shavings. This full-bodied wine is firm and muscular but with enough baby fat that you could try one now if you had a big steak on hand. The lingering, dusty finish adds savory tones of black olive and dried herbs. $250

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Taste 2022 Pinot Noir: Morgan Twelve Clones Santa Lucia, Sandhi Sta. Rita Hills and Domaine de la Côte Sta. Rita Hills Bloom's Field at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Thursday, September 19th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Enthusiast 94 Points
2022 Morgan Twelve Clones Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

Focused and well integrated aromas of dark plum, raspberry, scarlet red rose and all of the baking spices make for a very elegant and appealing nose on this bottling. Baked boysenberry and Luxardo cherry flavors are cut by creamy chai spices on the palate. —M.K. $39

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

Wine Spectator 95 Points
Domaine de la Côte Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Bloom's Field 2022

A juicy, well-built red, with a structured core of dark cherry and boysenberry fruit harnessed by streaks of wet stone, savory and tobacco, while bay and sandalwood hints peek in on the finish. This is still tight, coiled and steely, but the energy is there for unfurling in the cellar. Best from 2025 through 2038. 925 cases made. $105

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WOW-58% OFF!
2021 Goose Ridge g3 Estate Chardonnay
(Wine Enthusiast 90 Points)

Winemaker Notes: The 2021 G3 Chardonnay shows layered aromas of nectarine and Bartlett pear accented with hints of hazelnut, butterscotch, and faint flint. The palate opens soft, supple, and juicy showing lively flavors of pineapple, peach, and tangerine. The wine's structure brightens and lifts into a dazzling finish with intense notes of lemon zest, citrus pith balanced with sweet toast and honey. $15 Our Price $6.25 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 94 Points
CRAGGY RANGE Sauvignon Blanc Martinborough Te Muna 2023

Fresh and precise, with lime, mango and passion fruit notes that are accented by crunchy sea salt, litsea oil, dried chamomile and fresh lemon zest on a mouthwatering, fleshy frame. Drink now. —M.W. $26 Our Price $19.99 (Available GT and VRW)

2023 Château du Seuil COTEAUX D’AIX EN PROVENCE ROSÉ La Chapelle

Winemaker Notes: This is a lacy and silky rosé with fresh-picked red berry and orange zest notes. Lively redcurrant, raspberry and nectarine add complexity, leading to a juicy and zippy sea spray finish. $18 Our Price $16.99 (Available GT and VRW)

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 Our Price $58.95 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 94 Points
BEDROCK Evangelho Vineyard Heritage Contra Costa County 2022

Deeply structured yet polished and lively, with rich black raspberry and cherry flavors that take on savory anise, cracked pepper and briar accents as this gains structure toward medium-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Mataro, Carignan, Alicante and Palomino. Drink now through 2034. 750 cases made —T.F. $50 Our Price $39.95 (Available GT and VRW)

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2021 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst

The second wine of this incredible estate, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst reveals a deep purple hue as well as a great nose of assorted currants, black cherries, tobacco, and lead pencil. It's beautifully concentrated, has medium to full-bodied richness, and ripe tannins, all making for an undeniably delicious, classic, balanced Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the coming 10-15 years. $110 (Available GT and VRW)

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Taste 2021 My Favorite Neighbor Harvey and Harriet Red, 2021 My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon and 2020 Booker Vertigo
at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, September 20th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points
2021 My Favorite Neighbor Harvey and Harriet Red

The 2021 Red Blend comes all from purchased fruit (mostly from Paso Robles) and it's a smoking good blend based on Bordeaux varieties that tastes like it costs three times the price. Cassis, graphite, violets, and classy oak define the aromatics, and it's beautifully balanced, medium to full-bodied, has a ripe, layered mouthfeel, and a great finish. Don't miss this crazy value in Bordeaux blends from California! $30

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2021 My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is smoking good, with a full-bodied, rich, opulent wine that has classic cassis and darker blue fruits as well as leafy tobacco, baking spice, and bouquet garni notes. This textured, ripe, sexy wine stays nicely balanced, has ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's another awesome value. $50

2020 Booker Vertigo Syrah Blend

Winemaker Notes: Vertigo is our Syrah-based blend, showcasing some new varietals this vintage! It is spicy, structured, and always performs. The name is a nod to the steepness of the hillside on our estate where we grow the fruit for this wine. Debuting a blend with just a bit of Petite Sirah and Tannat from the estate, it is also the only Booker wine from the 2020 vintage to be crafted from a whole cluster fermentation. Aromas of dark chocolate, dark berries and a hint of smoked meats are sure to blow your mind. The palate offers plum, cinnamon and black pepper that gives way to a long and exciting finish. 47% Syrah, 32% Mourverde, 9% Grenache, 7% Petite Syrah, 5% Tannat $75

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Taste Roar Rosella’s Chardonnay and Roar Rosella’s Pinot Noir at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Saturday, September 21st. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points
2022 Roar Rosella’s Chardonnay

From the coolest site this team works with, the 2022 Chardonnay Rosella's Vineyard reveals a medium gold hue as well as a classy nose of ripe stone fruits, honeyed lemons, minty herbs, and some subtle tropical flowers. With medium-bodied richness, it builds nicely with time in the glass and has beautifully integrated oak, a layered mouthfeel, integrated acidity, and a great finish. It's another gorgeous Chardonnay from this team, and it's closer in style to the Sierra Mar than the richer Soberanes release. $66

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

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points
2022 Roar Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard

From a cooler site in the middle of the Santa Cruz Mountain appellation, the 2022 Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard offers more mulberry and wild strawberry fruit as well as a beautiful core of sappy flowers, violets, and underbrush. I love its overall purity and precision, and it's medium-bodied, has ripe, polished tannins, integrated acidity, and a great finish. It's up with the creme de la creme of the appellation, and it's going to have at least 10-12 years of prime drinking. It benefits from air if drinking any time soon. $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