On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

James Suckling 97 Points
Krug Grande Cuvee 172nd Edition Brut NV

Beautiful notes of dried citrus fruit, lemon curd and dried apples with hints of spices, dried flowers and subtle brioche. I like the polished and caressing texture and steady, refreshing acidity. It’s fresh and even austere, with notes of ground spices. So vertical and firm. Structured and long. $300

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Taste 2023 Mary Taylor Bordeaux Blanc and 2022 Louis Latour Corton Château Corton Grancey at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $25 per person. (Limited: We will open one bottle of each wine for this tasting)
Tuesday, November 5th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2023 Mary Taylor Bordeaux Blanc

Winemaker Notes: Sourced from vineyards that surround the winery and fermented without oak to preserve the underlying expression of its classic terroir, this is Sauvignon Blanc as channeled through the unique prism of Bordeaux, offering the enhanced texture, elegance, and richness of body that are the region’s hallmarks. According to Jean Marc, part of that depth also results from the small touch of Sémillon (the region’s “other” white grape) he includes in the blend, which imparts a certain “je ne sais quoi” that immediately conjures white Bordeaux. With its cleansing freshness and acidity and flavors of citrus and melon, it’s a quintessential oyster wine, but has all the necessary structure to stand up to richer fish and shellfish dishes. $15

Wine Spectator 97 Points
Louis Latour Corton Château Corton Grancey 2022

Rich and spicy, this red features ample cherry, raspberry, rose hip and stony mineral flavors. Silky, yet with a fine underpinning of refined tannins, ending in a resonant aftertaste. The terrific harmony, structure and length signal its future potential. Best from 2027 through 2045. 1,700 cases made, 450 cases imported. $240

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Taste 2020 and 2021 Dominus Napanook at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person. (Limited: We will open two bottles of each wine for this tasting)
Wednesday, November 6th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

James Suckling 95 Points
2020 Dominus Napanook Napa Bordeaux Blend

Aromas of currants, blackberries, fresh mushrooms and flowers. Medium-bodied with compacted fruit and integrated, fine tannins. Ripe fruit with reserve. Attractive and alluring. Excellent structure. 88% cabernet sauvignon, 7% cabernet franc and 5% petit verdot. Give it at least five years to open and soften, but very attractive now. $85

James Suckling 97 Points
2021 Dominus Napanook Napa Bordeaux Blend

This shows a lot of class, with aromas of blackcurrants, graphite, blueberries, dried flowers, black truffles and a touch of forest floor. The palate is medium- to full-bodied, with seamless tannins that goes on and on. Endless. Blackcurrants, dark mushrooms and violets with hints of fresh rose stems and light herbs. Velvety texture. $95

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Taste Pinot Noir: 2020 Castalia Rochioli, 2022 Belle Glos Dairyman Russian River and 2022 Hartford Court Jennifer's at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, November 7th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2020 Castalia Rochioli Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: As always the wine is sourced 100% from the Rochioli vineyards and should age for at least ten years and be in its prime from 4 to 7 years. Castalia Pinot Noir possesses the full-bodied complexity and subtle cherry essence that is so typical of the finest Russian River Pinot Noirs. Many fine restaurants in the greater Bay Area have recognized that reputation by serving Castalia Pinot Noir year after year. I am pleased to now offer a limited quantity of our most recent vintage to the general public. $60

Wine Enthusiast 94 Points
2022 Belle Glos Dairyman Russian River Pinot Noir

Beautiful, pure and focused fruit flavors distinguish this elegant, well-balanced wine. Tart cherries, black cherries, blueberries and black tea nuances seem primed for further complexity over time. A lithe structure of fruit acidity and medium tannins will carry it far. Best from 2026–2032. $55

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points
2022 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Jennifer's

Pouring a medium ruby/red color, the 2022 Pinot Noir Jennifer's gives up ripe and concentrated aromas of kirsch, toasty incense, crushed flowers, and dark stones. It’s medium to full-bodied and weightless but has a broader shouldered feel, with plush, ripe tannins, good freshness, an even texture, and a long, mouthwatering finish. It displays a lot of polish and is going to be an age-worthy wine to enjoy over the next 15 years. $85

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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 Our Price $26.99 (Available GT and VRW)

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 Our Price $21.99

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
2019 Scarlett Rutherford Napa Cabernet

Beautiful, sweet cassis and blue fruits, as well as lots of violet and floral notions, emerge from the Scarlett 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, a full-bodied, rich, concentrated barrel sample with wonderful purity of fruit, a good sense of freshness, and serious length on the finish. This promising, elegant yet powerful wine is going to shine with short-term bottle age and keep for two decades. $79 (Available GT and VRW)

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points
Delamotte Le Mesnil sur Oger depuis Brut

Based on the 2018 vintage, the NV Champagne Brut is 60% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, and 5% Meunier. Fresh and inviting aromas of white flowers, ripe pear, and quince are followed by a ripe, medium-bodied wine on the palate. Juicy up front and through the long finish, it delivers wonderfully ripe fruit and purity without feeling harsh. It’s ready to drink now or over the next 5-7 years. They have been gradually increasing the proportion of Chardonnay in the blend and decreasing the Meunier. 8 grams per liter of dosage. $75 Our Price $61.95 (Available GT and VRW)

Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points
2021 Caterwaul Cabernet Sauvignon Regusci Vineyard

Coming all from Block 3 (which Thomas thinks is the best block), the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Regusci Vineyard sports a deep purple hue to go with a rocking, full-bodied, flawlessly balanced profile loaded with darker fruits, smoked herbs, graphite, and chalky minerality. I love its mid-palate, and it has ripe tannins and a great finish. It has that classic Stags Leap freshness and minerality, and my money is on this being long-lived $135 (Available GT and VRW)

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Taste 2021 Brassfield High Valley Block 14 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019 Saddleback Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon and 2018 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet/Shiraz at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, November 8th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

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

2019 Saddleback Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: On the nose, pleasing aromas of cassis, blackberry, bay leaf, cocoa, light oak and Earl Grey leaves. On the palate, it approaches with a velvety, silky tannins with a full mouthfeel. The well balanced minerality ends with a highly structured, but soft, strawberry, pomegranate and coffee finish. The tannins smoothly grip you on the first taste, but pleasantly soften into a gracefully spectacular wine. $80

James Suckling 97 Points
2018 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet/Shiraz

A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon and 43% Shiraz, this has a very impressively complete feel, a hallmark of the 2018 vintage wines, and there’s a myriad of characters with cabernet’s cedary and gently herbal notes sitting atop a core of rich red-plum and dark-berry Shiraz fruit aromas. So integrated. The palate has a very silky texture, so plush and polished with a wealth of rich and intense dark-plum, dark-berry and blackcurrant flavors. The oak is completely soaked with ripe, fresh fruit. This is a great Bin 389. $70

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Taste 2022 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Aveta Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, 2022 Alma Cattleya Sonoma Pinot Noir and 2021 Alpha Omega Napa Cabernet Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person
Saturday, November 9th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

2022 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Aveta Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

Winemaker Notes: The 2022 AVETA Sauvignon Blanc oers fragrant aromas of grapefruit, lemongrass, citrus, lychee and orange blossom. The wine is bright and lively on the palate with a thirst-quenching acidity and pure flavors of mandarin orange and honeysuckle that lead to a lasting aftertaste. Try pairing AVETA with fresh fish ceviche, crab cakes or grilled oysters with mignonette sauce. $39

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

Wine Enthusiast 94 Points
2021 Alpha Omega Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

This densely flavorful, velvety-textured wine goes deep in dark chocolate, toasted oak and blackberry jam flavors for a tempting richness that makes it accessible soon, while built ideally for aging. Best from 2025–2035. $145

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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