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Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points
2017 Siduri Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard

From a site just beside Gary's, yet planted in 2008 and 2009, the 2017 Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard was completely destemmed (Adam doesn't like the stems from younger vines) and spent 11 months in 40% French. It offers plenty of black cherry, scorched earth, black raspberry, and forest floor notes as well as a medium to full-bodied, rounded, nicely textured, layered style on the palate. $55 Our Price $22.45 (Available GT and VRW)

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On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points
2019 Hestan Meyer Vineyard Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Saturated with delicious red and black fruits, this full-bodied wine hugs them with warm, fine-grained tannins for a cozy, rich texture that leads to a lingering finish. Blueberries, baking spices and spearmint develop with each sip. Best from 2025. — Jim Gordon $85

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Taste 2020 Unknown Brother Santa Barbara Syrah, 2022 Linne Calodo The Slacker Computer Geek GSM and 2022 TORBRECK The Struie Barossa at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, October 24th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2020 Unknown Brother Santa Barbara Syrah

Winemaker Notes: The wine opens with a bouquet of lavender, wild blueberries, camphor oil, and bergamont. On the palate it is fresh and savory, with black cherry, Herbs de provence, melted licorice, and white pepper. Unique to this vintage are the spice notes of cardamon, cinnamon stick, graham cracker crust, and cloves that add depth and complexity. We held onto this vintage a little longerin bottle to allow all the components to mesh together. The wine gets better with air, so decanting is highly recommended. $60

2022 Linne Calodo The Slacker Computer Geek

Winemaker Notes: The 2022 Computer Geek is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, and Mourvedre from the Linne Calodo estates. Aromas of strawberry, raspberry, cardamom and wet loam anticipate flavors of black plum, blackberry and mocha. The palate is flush, focused and spicy with energetic textures. Whole-cluster notes of peppercorn and clove linger on a deep, integrated finish. A wine for those in the know. 77% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 8% Carignan, 5% Mourvedre. $55

Wine Spectator 94 Points
TORBRECK The Struie Barossa 2022

Dense and powerful, featuring a concentrated mix of blackberry, huckleberry and blueberry syrup flavors on a velvety frame, with details of Pu'er tea, dark chocolate, singed palo santo, candied walnut, black pepper and toffee that linger. Despite all the concentration, there's a lovely sense of elegance, with an open-knit frame and a long, lingering finish. Shiraz. Drink now through 2037. —M.W. $55

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2023 Merry Edwards Russian River Sauvignon Blanc

WINEMAKER'S NOTES: We began making our Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc in 2001, and we have lovingly reproduced this delicious wine each vintage since. Winemaker Heidi von der Mehden follows specific protocols, including fermentation in French oak barrels and twice-weekly lees stirring, to craft this aromatic, lush bottling. The nose of the 2023 vintage features fragrant tropical aromas of white pineapple, passionfruit, mango and guava, with subtle hints of plumeria, lemon curd and lime zest. The palate is clean and bright, with accents of ruby red grapefruit, honeysuckle and ripe melon followed by a burst of crisp, refreshing acidity. $45 (Available GT)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Laird Family Jillian's Blend Napa Valley 2018

On the slightly rugged, old-school style of the spectrum, with a core of steeped red and black currant fruit backed by a burly structure and notes of chestnut, sage and bay leaf. Shows singed cedar and alder notes that thread up the finish, with nice latent energy. For fans of the gutsy style. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024 through 2036. 2,380 cases made. $58 Our Price $45.99 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points
2022 Saxum G2 Vineyard

The 2022 G2 Vineyard checks in as 44% Grenache, 19% Mataro, 18% Graciano, 14% Syrah, and 5% Carignan that's clearly from one of the leading sites on the west side of Paso Robles. Blackberries, red plums, Asian spice, pepper, candied violets, and incense-like nuances all shine in this killer wine. With full-bodied richness, a round, layered mouthfeel, sweet yet certainly present tannins, and a great finish, this heavenly bottle of wine deserves 2-3 years of bottle age and will evolve gracefully over the following 15-20 years. It might be the wine of the vintage in 2022. $165 (Available for tasting early November)

Wine Advocate 95 Points
2016 Eisele Vineyard Altagracia Cabernet Sauvignon

The Altagracia is produced almost exclusively from estate fruit this year and was bottled at the end of June 2018. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Altagracia comes bursting forth with vivacious black cherries, blackberries, wild blueberries and cassis notes with touches of cinnamon stick, cloves, forest floor, violets and dusty earth with a waft of violets. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm and grainy with loads of iron and mineral accents, finishing long and perfumed. $135 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

2023 Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay Magnums

Winemaker Notes: Aromas of ripe yellow peach, melon, and chamomile all framed by freshly baked pie crust. The palate is bright with flavors of nectarine, followed by a subtle spice, and lively acidity. The finish leaves you wanting another sip. $96 Our Price $79.95/magnum (Available GT)

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Taste 2020 Thread Feathers Stags Leap Cabernet, 2018 Laird Family Jillian's Blend Napa Valley and 2021 Laird Family Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, October 25th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

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

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Laird Family Jillian's Blend Napa Valley 2018

On the slightly rugged, old-school style of the spectrum, with a core of steeped red and black currant fruit backed by a burly structure and notes of chestnut, sage and bay leaf. Shows singed cedar and alder notes that thread up the finish, with nice latent energy. For fans of the gutsy style. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024 through 2036. 2,380 cases made. $58

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Laird Family Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2021

A lush, flattering style, with warmed cassis, fresh açaí berry and boysenberry pâte de fruit notes pressed together by bittersweet cocoa–accented toast. Dark and winey through the finish, with a streak of tar underneath that gives the lush fruit a solid grounding. Best from 2025 through 2037. 1,400 cases made. $70

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Taste three vintages of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Napa Cabernet Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person. (Limited: We will open 2 bottles for this tasting)
Saturday, October 26th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

James Suckling 93 Points
2018 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

A chewy red with blackberry, blackcurrant and dark-chocolate character. Full-bodied with polished tannins and a savory finish. Drink or hold. $80

James Suckling 93 Points
2019 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Cassis, dried blueberries, violets, ink, graphite, dried leaves and cigar box on the nose. Full-bodied with firm, polished tannins. Smooth and supple with excellent balance and length. Drink from 2023. $80

Decanter Journal 96 Points
2021 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

A blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc, and half a % each of Malbec and Merlot, aged 15 months in 33% new French oak. The bottling includes the following sources: 51% Atlas Peak District; 14% Battuello Vineyard in St. Helena, 12% Arcadia Vineyard in Coombsville and 5% Twin Creeks Vineyard in Wooden Valley (in Suisun Valley) and from sources in Stags Leap. Super approachable and fairly easy-drinking at the pull of the cork. Youthful blue fruit aromatics mingle with blackberry, graphite, and violet florals. Full-bodied with fine-grained satiny tannins and the same exuberant blue and black fruit, tinged with cinnamon and Mexican mocha through a lengthy slate-stone and cedarwood-rich finish. Drinking Window: 2024-2040. $90

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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