On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Wine Spectator 92 Points
DEUTZ Brut Champagne Classic NV (Review Published 2024)

Graphite and mineral hints underscore the ripe and appealing notes of white cherry, nectarine, pomelo and pickled ginger on display in this bright, elegant version, with a finely detailed mousse. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Drink now. 166,667 cases made, 5,833 cases imported. —Alison Napjus $59

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. Half Bottle $50.

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Taste Chardonnay: 2023 Morgan Metallico SLH, 2022 Bernardus Monterey and 2022 Plumpjack Napa at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, October 10th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points
2023 Morgan Metallico SLH Chardonnay

The unoaked Chardonnay trend is abating, but versions like this one make a strong case for keeping at least a few examples in play. Sharp aromas of citrus, honeydew, guava and jasmine touch on tropicality without going overboard. The palate is remarkably fresh, offering citrus, melon and plumeria flavors $25

2022 Bernardus Monterey Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: The Bernardus 2022 Monterey Chardonnay exhibits aromas of mango, apple and vanilla. The pallet has focused flavors of melon, tropical fruits and peach with hints of citrus . The finish is supported by a crisp acidity, this wine is a great example of a refreshing and modern California Chardonnay. $30

 2022 Plumpjack Reserve Napa Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: The 2022 PlumpJack Reserve Chardonnay is a gorgeous, multi-faceted wine. The nose delivers layers of aromas—apple, baked pear, and lemon curd mingle with white peach, apricot, and honeysuckle with a dash of nutmeg and cinnamon just beneath the fruit. The palate is energetic and dynamic, beginning with a rich, mouth-filling texture reminiscent of lemon curd, followed by bright acidity that evokes lemon zest and honey-crisp apples. Finally, the beautiful acidity pulls the wine through the back of the palate, creating a long, structured finish. $60

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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 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

2023 Domaine de la Solitude Cotes du Rhone Blanc

Winemaker Notes: This wine is a blend of three varietals. The Clairette brings the freshness and zest of citrus, the Viognier the aromatic depth and roundness, and the Grenache the notes of white flowers. The grapes are harvested early in the morning and completely destemmed. The fermentation in stainless-steel vats preserves the full aromatic freshness. The wine has a nose of citrus and apricots, a round and generous mouthfeel, and a fresh and flavorful finish. $19 Our Price $14.99 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

2022 Alma Cattleya Sonoma Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: Harnessed within its medium ruby core, this Pinot Noir packs pure aromas of berry pie, pomegranate, and spicy sandalwood. Rich and textured on the palate, the senses are dazzled with fruit driven flavors of macerated blackberry and mulberry that pair seamlessly with more savory notes of dried herbs and hints of fresh earth. The youthful acidity and fine-grained tannin offer an exciting and approachable finish to this luscious wine. $30 (Back in stock GT)

2020 Thread Feathers Stags Leap Cabernet

Winemaker Notes: This 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning expression of the Stags Leap District growing region. Grown on an eastern facing hillside on the west side of Silverado Trail, this wine is bright and opulent with dark fruit notes of dark cherry and blueberry compote and hints of baking spice, cedar, violet and crushed stone. This wine is rich with beautiful structure, balance and polished tannins. 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. $40 Our Price $34.99 (Back in stock GT 10/11/24)

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 Our Price $36.99 (Back in stock GT 10/11/24)

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points
2021 Tooth & Nail The Possessor Paso Robles Red

Dark elderberry, crumpled violet and rich stewed-fruit aromas show on the hefty nose of this blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petite Sirah, 6% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot. Dried meat and slightly bitter elderberry flavors align on the tense palate. $35 Our Price $28.99 (Available GT)

Jeb Dunnuck 96+ Points
2021 Pisoni Estate Pinot Noir

The 2021 Pinot Noir comes entirely from the Pisoni Vineyard in the southern portion of the Santa Lucia Highlands. It was only partially destemmed and was raised in 68% new French oak. It's a truly gorgeous effort offering serious aromatics of cassis, darker raspberries, spicy oak, graphite, and crushed stone. Incredibly pure, vibrant, and precise aromatically, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a stacked mid-palate, lots of building tannins, and a great finish. This concentrated, focused, age-worthy beauty needs at least 2-3 years to integrate its structure and tannins and will evolve brilliantly over the following decade. Bravo! $110 (Available GT)

2021 Hundred Acre Ark Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Jayson Woodbridge Notes: The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon ARK Vineyard features a deep bouquet of cassis, blue and black fruits, violets, roasted coffee beans, and aged leather. It's full-bodied, complex, and textured on the palate. This is a masterclass in wine that balances beauty and sensuality, finishing long and silky smooth. $760 (Available 10/25/24)

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Taste Napa Cabernet Sauvignon: 2018 Buehler Estate, 2021 Charles Krug and 2021 AXR at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, October 11th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Advocate 92 Points
2018 Buehler Estate Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and expressive notes of crushed blackberries, wild blueberries and cassis plus suggestions of bay leaves, clove oil and unsmoked cigars with a hint of cardamom. Medium-bodied and elegantly styled, the palate is chock-full of bright, crunchy black fruit with subtle, invigorating dried herbs accents and approachable, grainy tannins, finishing with a lively lift. Impressively priced for the quality here, it is drinking beautifully right now, and should cellar for a good 12 years+. Stock up! $45

Wine Spectator 92 Points
Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2021

Shows nice character, with a sagebrush and sweet bay edge to its mix of steeped black currant and plum puree flavors. Light notes of anise and bramble dart through the juicy finish. Ready to go, too. Drink now through 2034. 16,000 cases made $41

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2021 AXR Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

This 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is also brilliant, with plenty of darker cassis and currant-driven fruit to go with a full-bodied, concentrated, powerful style on the palate. It has the vintage's fresh, focused, concentrated, slightly inwards style and will evolve for 15+ years. It's another terrific effort from this team. $90

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Taste 2022 St.-Cosme Côtes du Rhône, 2021 ALBAN Syrah Edna Valley Patrina Alban Estate and 2021 GHOST BLOCK Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Estate at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, October 12th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

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

Wine Spectator 94 Points
2021 ALBAN Syrah Edna Valley Patrina Alban Estate

Plump and polished, with sleekly layered black raspberry flavors that are accented by dark chocolate, savory meat and cracked pepper tones that sail on the long and savory finish. Drink now through 2033. —T.F. $58

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

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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