Wine Spectator 92 Points
Vilmart Brut Champagne Grande Réserve NV (Review Published 9/2/2024)

Vivid acidity creates a mouthwatering frame for the white raspberry, blood orange, salted Marcona almond and star anise flavors carried on the lightly chalky mousse of this sleek and focused Champagne. Lightly briny and lingering on the finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged July 2023. Drink now through 2029. 750 cases imported. $72/750ml. Half Bottles $50. In Store Price $20.95/375ml (Arrives GT 10/15/24) Email stan@grapetray.com to be added to the pre-arrival list.

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Taste 2023 Duckhorn North Coast Sauvignon Blanc and 2019 CADE Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $25 per person. (Limited: We will open one bottle of each wine for this tasting)
Tuesday, October 1st. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points
2023 Duckhorn North Coast Sauvignon Blanc

This wine is vibrant, with aromas of Meyer lemon, green papaya and lemongrass on the nose. The flavors on the palate are white nectarine, orange sherbet and allspice, intertwined with pink grapefruit zest, mineral and a dry finish. Pair with Fritto Misto. $28

Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points
2019 CADE Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Up with the crème de la crème of the vintage, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is pure Napa gold, offering a sensational nose of cassis and blueberry fruits as well as incredible purity in its violet, sappy herb, tobacco, and spring flower-like aromas and flavors. With full-bodied richness and depth on the palate, it has perfect tannins, a great mid-palate, and one heck of a finish. While I suspect the acidity is quite low, it holds onto a terrific sense of freshness and is just a thrilling, singular wine that would be impossible to find outside of the magical valley. Drink this beauty any time over the coming 15+ years. $256

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Taste Zinfandel: 2022 BEDROCK Evangelho Vineyard Heritage Contra Costa County, 2021 Ridge Three Valleys Sonoma County and 2022 Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs 50th Anniversary at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Wednesday, October 2nd. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

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

Wine Spectator 92 Points
2021 Ridge Three Valleys Sonoma County

A broad-shouldered red, with a potent structure but expressive blackberry, savory dill and white pepper flavors that speed toward medium-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet. Drink now through 2033. 22,000 cases made. $35

Wine Advocate 94 Points
2022 Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs 50th Anniversary

The 2022 Lytton Springs 50th Anniversary is composed of 67% Zinfandel, 19% Petite Sirah, 11% Carignane and 3% Alicante Bouschet. It opens with initial touches of glossy new American oak—dill and toasted coconut—and gives way to kaleidoscopic black and red plums, cherries and berries, plus accents of hibiscus and potpourri. The full-bodied palate features generous, spicy flavors. It’s structured by abundant, powdery tannins and lively acidity and has a long, detailed finish. Winemaker Shauna Rosenblum says this 2022 was crafted using only American oak, a shift from the blend of French and American oak used in the past. It has resulted in a particularly pure, transparent expression that opens dramatically with air, and this 2022 Lytton Springs will benefit from several years in the cellar. $58

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Taste 2019 Reata Chardonnay Sonoma Coast, 2019 Brassfield High Valley Pinot Noir and 2021 Ghost Block Cabernet Sauvignon Yountville Ghost Block Vineyard at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, October 3rd. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 91 Points
Reata Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2019

Big and open-textured, with intense creamy and buttery accents to the ripe white fruit flavors. Concentrated spiciness lingers on the plush finish. Drink now through 2023. 3,585 cases made. $20

2019 Brassfield High Valley Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: Our 2019 Brassfield Estate Pinot Noir draws you in with its rich garnet color, and reveals aromas of chocolate cherry, blackberry and toasted oak. Cola and pomegranate meet in the midpalate to offer bright fruit and warm spicy tones. The well-integrated oak provides structure and depth that fills the mouth and lingers nicely into the finish. $25

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

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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 (Available GT and VRW)

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 (Available GT and VRW)

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 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Advocate 96-98 Points
2021 Joseph Phelps Insignia

Set to be bottled in January 2024, the 2021 Insignia looks to be another huge success. A blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot, with 2% each Cabernet Franc and Malbec, all matured in 100% new French oak, winemaker Ashley Hepworth said she thought production would be about 18,000 cases. Waves of cherries, cassis and dark chocolate mark the nose, while the palate is full-bodied, concentrated, rich, velvety, plush, layered and long. The dusty tannins suggest ample structure, yet the wine is plush enough to be almost approachable. It's a truly complete, delicious, seductive wine, yet naysayers may criticize it for lacking a certain amount of individuality or soul. $400 Our Price $339.95 (Arrives GT this afternoon)

Wine Spectator 94 Points
GHOST BLOCK Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Estate 2021

A solid, fruit-driven version, this red offers cassis, plum pâte de fruit and boysenberry compote flavors backed by licorice and apple wood notes. A late tug of warm earth adds length and drive. Drink now through 2038. —J.M. $85 Our Price $74.99 (Available GT and VRW)

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Taste Cabernet Sauvignon: 2021 BARNARD GRIFFIN Columbia Valley, 2021 Hess Collection Lion Tamer Napa Valley and 2019 Vineyard 29 Aida Estate at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Friday, October 4th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 92 Points
BARNARD GRIFFIN Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2021

Elegantly structured, with refined black cherry and currant flavors that are accented by tobacco and spice notes as this glides on the sleek finish. Drink now through 2031. 6,000 cases made.—Tim Fish $18

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

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 J. Lohr Chardonnay Arroyo Seco October Night, 2019 Aston Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Estate and 2021 Brassfield High Valley Block 14 Cabernet Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, October 5th. 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

Wine Spectator 94 Points
Aston Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Estate 2019

In the not-shy style, this pumps out tasty boysenberry and blackberry puree fruit, liberally laced with anise and singed mesquite. Shows a bit of a wild brambly edge through the finish as the fruit pumps through, with the requisite acidity for support. Very distinctive, and should be fun to cellar. Drink now through 2030. 500 cases made. $75

2021 Brassfield High Valley Block 14 Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: This wine, sourced from our distinctive High Serenity Vineyard Block 14, is well concentrated and firmly structured, with ripe black current and blue fruit aromas. The palate is robust from the first taste, with tight gripping tannins that frame the ripe dark fruit flavors and provide length on the finish. Additional baking spice and floral tones of rosewood and violet lend complexity and elegance to this single vineyard selection. $60 (Wine Enthusiast 94 points-November Issue)

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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