On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points
2019 Vineyard 29 Cabernet Sauvignon Aida Estate

Another magical wine in the lineup, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Aida Estate is just about all Cabernet with 2% Cabernet Franc, raised 20 months in 80% new barrels. Pure crème de cassis, truffly earth, lead pencil, new leather, and herbes de Provence-like notes define this rich, concentrated, full-bodied, yet utterly seamless 2019. It shows the layered, ripe, opulent style of the vintage and is going to cruise for 20-25 years in cold cellar. 520 cases. $295

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Taste 2022 Pinot Noir: Calera Central Coast, Résonance Willamette Valley and Pisoni Estate Santa Lucia Highlands at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Thursday, September 26th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points
2022 Calera Central Coast Pinot Noir

This priced-to-sell appellation blend gives hints of what the single-vineyard expressions can do in a more accessible manner. Aromas of pomegranate, green peppercorn and oregano decorate the nose. The palate shows baked plum and strawberry flavors as well as Calera's telltale showing of terpene-laden herbs like bay leaf and marjoram. $32

Wine Spectator 94 Points
2022 Résonance Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

Fragrant raspberry and fresh violet aromas lead to elegantly layered cherry, mineral and savory tea flavors, with a silky mouthfeel that slowly builds tension on the polished finish. Drink now through 2033. 15,299 cases made. $40

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
2022 Pisoni Estate Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

The 2022 Pinot Noir is gorgeous, and a match for any number of Grand Cru Red Burgundies, which is certainly what it brings to mind when tasting it. Sporting a deeper ruby/garnet hue as well as a stunning nose of black raspberries, darker strawberries, spring flowers, and baking spices, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a pure, layered mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a gorgeous finish. Coming from a challenging year that saw a significant Labor Day heatwave, this nevertheless does everything right. I love it today, yet it will evolve gracefully over the coming 10-15 years. $110

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Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
2021 Aston Estate Pinot Noir Estate Sonoma Coast

From vines planted in 2001, the 2021 Pinot Noir Estate Sonoma Coast pours a nearly opaque red, with smoky meatiness, wild herb oils, and black cherry. Full-bodied, it’s lush in its texture, with notes of pressed flowers, ripe, velvety, rounded tannins, and an opulent feel. It holds a savory note on the finish and is lightly reductive on opening, so allow it a few minutes in a decanter, but this is a potent style. Although it might not fall in the classic camp, it has a lot of charm and a lot to love. Drink 2024-2034. 900 cases produced. $75 (Available GT)

Wine Spectator 97 Points
CASTELLO ROMITORIO Brunello di Montalcino 2019

Notable for its pure cherry and kirsch aromas and flavors, this red is also stylish and graceful. Rose, wild thyme and stony mineral elements come into play as this develops on the palate. Beautifully integrated, fresh and firm, this glides to a long, resonant aftertaste. Best from 2026 through 2042. From Italy.—B.S. 730 cases imported $83 Our Price $64.99 (Available GT and VRW)

James Suckling 92 Points
Rocca di Frassinello Le Sughere di Frassinello 2019

Aromas of plums, black cherries, blackberries, tomato leaf, dried herb and spice box. Medium-to full-bodied with firm, polished tannins. Rich and fleshy on the palate with a lots of black fruit. Flavorful finish. Try from 2023. $26 (Available GT and VRW)

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)

Jeb Dunnuck 97-99 Points
2021 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

As always, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that will spend 28 months in new barrels. Its deep purple hue gives way to a behemoth of a wine that has incredible cassis, black raspberry, and even blue fruits to go with loads of camphor, minty herbs, graphite, and darker chocolate. It's full-bodied, concentrated, yet pure, flawlessly balanced, and has a great finish. $430 Our Price TBD

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Taste 2022 THE CALLING Chardonnay Russian River Valley Dutton Ranch, 2022 Thread Feathers Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and 2021 PAHLMEYER Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Jayson at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, September 27th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 93 Points
2022 THE CALLING Chardonnay Russian River Valley Dutton Ranch

An expressive version, with generous notes of ripe tropical fruit, including papaya, grilled pineapple and mango. There's also a wonderful sense of restraint in the way the acidity and supple texture play with the flavors. Touches of vanilla shortbread, candied ginger and orange blossoms add fragrant grace notes. Drink now. —M.W. $35

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

Wine Spectator 93 Points
2021 PAHLMEYER Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Jayson

Frankly ripe, offering an enticing gush of açaí, blackberry and black currant compote notes that roll through, carried by warm humus, licorice root and singed alder notes. A muscular style, this is defined, with subtle, latent energy through the finish. Best from 2025 through 2037. —J.M. $100

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Taste 2021 Frank Family Carneros Pinot Noir, 2022 Lucia Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard and 2020 Bookwalter Protagonist Conner Lee Vineyard at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, September 28th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

James Suckling 92 Points
2021 Frank Family Carneros Pinot Noir

A fresh and bright pinot with sliced-strawberry, raspberry and orange-peel aromas and flavors. Medium body with fine, racy tannins and a bright and energetic finish. Drink or hold. $45

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
2022 Lucia Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard

The 2022 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard is one of the darker, more masculine style Pinots in the lineup. Ripe black cherries, iron, roasted herbs, leather, and violet notes all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a concentrated, focused mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. It needs a decant if drinking any time soon, and it should have an easy decade of prime drinking going forward. It's impressive. $80

Wine Advocate 94 Points
2020 Bookwalter Protagonist Conner Lee Vineyard

Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Syrah and Petit Verdot, the 2020 Protagonist Conner Lee Vineyard bursts from the glass with a plushy frame of fresh plums, oak and freshly opened flowers. Full-bodied, the wine achieves a beautiful harmony, exhibiting freshness and juiciness within a structured and balanced framework. Concluding with elegance and power, this gorgeous wine glides to a beautiful and succulent finish that has me craving flame-kissed chops and steaks from the grill. Just under 25,000 bottles were produced. $68

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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