On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

2022 Sea Smoke Ten Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: A brooding and intense wine. The aromas begin with notes of ground cacao, raspberry and Friar plum, followed by a mix of spices and a hint of lavender. Firm, mature tannins - evidence of Ten’s ageability - are followed by a long, velvety finish. CA Market Price: $125-$175

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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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2019 Sea Smoke Sea Spray Blanc de Noirs

Winemaker Notes: The Pinot Noir for this méthode champenoise sparkling wine comes from specific blocks on the estate vineyard, which are picked early – before the winery's regular pinot noir harvest begins. Sur lie aging in barrel and extended bottle aging en tirage add to the wine’s complexity. Sea Spray is fresh and alive on the palate and finishes with impressive length. 100% Pinot Noir. $100

2022 Sea Smoke Southing Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: Each year, our goal for Sea Smoke Southing Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir is to create the ideal marriage of complexity and elegance. The ever-changing nose of the Southing exhibits Montmorency cherry, sage, hibiscus and subtle baking spices. The fine tannins and minerality are enhanced by our estate vineyard's characteristic cool climate acidity. $125

Wine Spectator 95 Points
Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Mendoza Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae 2021

Elegant, fresh and inviting at the onset, with violet, hibiscus and blood orange notes that join a smooth-textured palate of raspberry coulis and red currant, melding into richer tiers of dark chocolate and graphite that linger around fine tannins, echoing back to the core flavors. Drink now through 2035. 458 cases made, 150 cases imported. $140 (Arrives GT this afternoon)

Wine Advocate 95 Points
2016 Eisele Vineyard Altagracia Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum

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. $300/magnum (Arrives GT 11/12/24)

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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