On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

2022 Turnbull Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot & 2% Malbec this 2022 shows surprising freshness and accessibility at such a young age and reveals a core of sweet plum tinged fruit along with already nicely integrated, yet structured tannins. $48

2022 Skylark Alondra Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Opaque. Aromatics of cassis, blackberry and black plum with a dusting of cocoa powder. The palate exudes the density and depth of Napa Cabernet, with the plush and textural black fruits coating the palate with fruit viscosity. The tannins are fine-grained and yet evident, providing structure and balance for the ripe fruit profile. There is a graceful character to this 2022 Cabernet while showing the power and layers of fruit that make Napa Cabernet so special. 90 cases produced $30

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Taste 2022 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Paso Robles and 2022 Saxum G2 Vineyard Proprietary Red at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person. (Limited: We will open one bottle of each wine for this tasting)
Tuesday, November 12th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 93 Points
2022 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Paso Robles

Elegant structure meets a satiny texture in this red, which offers fresh cherry and raspberry flavors laced with cinnamon and red licorice notes before finishing with polished tannins. Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Counoise and Terret. Drink now through 2031. 3,875 cases made. $28

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

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Taste 2021 Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico, 2020 Michele Satta Bolgheri Superiore Piastraia and 2019 Paolo Scavino Barolo Bricco Ambrogio at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Wednesday, November 13th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico 2021

This bright red is saturated with cherry, raspberry, graphite and tobacco flavors, lifted by dense, well-mannered tannins that leave an impact on the finish. Fresh and focused. Best from 2027 through 2042. 33,000 cases made, 6,000 cases imported. $25

Wine Spectator 92 Points
2020 Michele Satta Bolgheri Superiore Piastraia

Shows aromas of fresh black cherry and blackberry that are pure and expressive, accented by wild herbs, cedar, iron and spices. Dense, yet balanced and fresh, with refined tannins gracing the lingering finish. Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2024 through 2035. 2,900 cases made, 1,300 cases imported. $45

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Paolo Scavino Barolo Bricco Ambrogio 2019

This Barolo is round and rich, offering spicy cherry, rose hip, menthol and tar flavors. Firm yet mouthwatering, this should be approachable earlier than many 2019s. Shows fine balance and length. Best from 2025 through 2042. 500 cases made, 150 cases imported. $84

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Taste 2022 Pinot Noir: 2022 SEAN MINOR Sonoma Coast Signature Series, 2022 Résonance Willamette Valley and 2022 Sea Smoke Ten Sta. Rita Hills at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Thursday, November 14th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 92 Points
SEAN MINOR Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Signature Series 2022

A nice streamlined, mineral-tinged version, with racy acidity running underneath blood orange and raspberry coulis flavors, while savory and hibiscus hints chime in on the finish, where the fruit lingers prettily. Drink now through 2028. 3,000 cases made. From California.—James Molesworth $28

Wine Spectator 94 Points
Résonance Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2022

Fragrant raspberry and fresh violet aromas lead to elegantly layered cherry, mineral and savory tea flavors, with a silky mouthfeel that slowly builds tension on the polished finish. Drink now through 2033. 15,299 cases made. $40

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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Wine Spectator 93 Points
Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico 2021

This bright red is saturated with cherry, raspberry, graphite and tobacco flavors, lifted by dense, well-mannered tannins that leave an impact on the finish. Fresh and focused. Best from 2027 through 2042. 33,000 cases made, 6,000 cases imported. $25 Our Price $19.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 91 Points
Gaston Chiquet Brut Rosé Champagne NV

Boasts bright acidity and a zesty mousse, which create a vivacious frame for flavors of crushed blackberry and boysenberry, whole-grain toast and crystallized honey. Well-balanced and integrated, with a spiced finish. Disgorged March 2022. Drink now. 450 boxes imported. $60 Our Price $49.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 97 Points
CASTELLO ROMITORIO Brunello di Montalcino 2019

Notable for its pure cherry and kirsch aromas and flavors, this red is also stylish and graceful. Rose, wild thyme and stony mineral elements come into play as this develops on the palate. Beautifully integrated, fresh and firm, this glides to a long, resonant aftertaste. Best from 2026 through 2042. From Italy.—B.S. 730 cases imported $83 Our Price $64.99 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2021 TOR Cabernet Sauvignon Vaca Ridge

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Vaca Ridge is a big, ripe, sexy wine offering both red and blue fruits with some chocolaty oak and spicy, incense nuances. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc, it has good mid-palate depth, ripe, velvety, yet building tannins, and a great finish. It's certainly impeccably made, and I love its purity and overall approachable, textured style. I would drink bottles over the coming 10-12 years, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it keep longer. It's another great value in this lineup. $150 (Available GT and VRW)

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2019 CHEV Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

A deep and electric ruby hue, the 2019 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is ripe with pure classic aromas of wild cherry, cola spice, and sweet herbs. Medium-bodied, it delivers super-fine tannins, freshness, and purity as well as attractive ripe fruit raspberry, leather, and warming root spice, and it has elegance and a graceful feel without being heavy. Drink 2023-2032. From winemaker Michael Browne, also of CIRQ and co-founder of Kosta Browne. $95 (Available GT and VRW)

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Taste 2022 Benchland Select Sonoma Chardonnay, 2021 Matthews Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley and 2021 Kenefick Ranch Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, Chris's Cuvée at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, November 15th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2022 Benchland Select Sonoma Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: This limited production Chardonnay is sourced from a Knights Valley vineyard neighboring Peter Michael. Beautiful roasted almonds and Bartlett pears on the nose. Full bodied with notes of vanilla finishing with stone fruit and Meyer lemon $50

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Matthews Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2021

Precise and expressive, with handsome flavors of blackberry, bay leaf and espresso that build richness and structure toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2031. 7,364 cases made. $45

2021 Kenefick Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Chris's Cuvée

Winemaker Notes: Focused dark fruit makes way for some brightness on the aromatics and palate. Well integrated tannins and oak play the role of extending the finish. $80

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Taste Roederer Estate Brut Anderson Valley NV, Roederer Brut Collection 244 and 2019 Sea Smoke Sea Spray Blanc de Noirs
 at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person
Saturday, November 16th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Roederer Estate Brut Anderson Valley NV

Dynamic yet sleekly elegant, with rich strawberry and apple flavors that are accented by spiced cinnamon and yeast roll as this dances toward the vibrant finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Drink now through 2026. 85,000 cases made. $32

James Suckling 94 Points
Roederer Brut Collection 244

The first impression is as invigorating as a sea breeze. I love the interplay of mirabelle, grapefruit and lychee fruit with minty freshness and waxiness from lees contact. And all this is welded to a beautifully proportioned palate with plenty of structure, the acidity bright and the mousse animating. Very salty finish that pulls you back for more. A cuvee of 41% chardonnay, 33% pinot noir and 26% pinot meunier. Of these, 15% fermented in oak and 85% in stainless steel. The final blend contained 36% reserve perpetual and 10% reserve wines of the 2012 - 2018 vintage from oak. The dosage is 7 g/l. $70

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

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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