November 21st 2024 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

November 21st 2024 Newsletter

On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

2021 Saddleback Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon (New Vintage!)

Producer Notes: Nils’ Cabernet Sauvignon never disappoints! On the nose pleasant aromas of evergreens, dark cocoa and coriander delightfully heighten your senses after a deep inhale. On first taste, you'll notice an enveloping and bold mouthfeel. It then opens up, as the deep tannins dance around on the taste buds, and finishes with flavors of baked rhubarb, ground green peppercorn and all-spice. Another amazing vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon from the “King of Cabs” ! 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. $82

Wine Spectator 94 Points
Penfolds Cabernet-Shiraz South Australia Bin 389 2022

Generous and impressive for its seamlessness, this is like a slice of Black Forest cake, offering chocolate and cherry flavors that are practically creamy and plush. Dutched cocoa powder, dried herb and cigar box nuances amplify this red on the long finish, with velvety tannins alongside hints of fresh loam and clove. Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Drink now through 2036. 8,565 cases imported. $80

Wine Spectator 94 Points
Schramsberg J. Schram Blancs North Coast 2015

Luxurious and dynamic, with polished, full-bodied flavors of baked apple, Asian pear, brioche and roasted hazelnuts that build richness on the plush finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Drink now through 2029. 2,489 cases made. $150

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Taste 2022 CHÂTEAU DE ST.-COSME Gigondas and 2022 Aubert Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast UV Vineyard at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $25 per person. (Limited: We will open one bottle of each wine for this tasting)
Thursday, November 21st. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 94 Points
CHÂTEAU DE ST.-COSME Gigondas 2022

Expressive notes of pomegranate and raspberry show pretty lavender perfume alongside wafts of apple wood smoke and black pepper. Fine yet substantial tannins hold a firm grip, with graphite power building. Concentrated and firmly structured on a sleek, powerful frame. Tightly wound, this will be even better with a few years in the cellar. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Best from 2026 through 2037. —K.B. $65

Wine Spectator 95 Points
Aubert Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast UV Vineyard 2022

Ripe and defined, offering a mix of raspberry, black cherry and boysenberry reduction notes scored with bramble, warm earth, menthol and sweet spice details. This impressive, well-structured version is holding back for now, with underlying energy and a solid finishing kick of fruit that should allow this to unfurl slowly in the cellar. Best from 2027 through 2035. 874 cases made. CA Market Price $165-$200

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Wine Spectator 93 Points
Rutherford Hill Merlot Napa Valley 2021

Supple and sleek, with elegantly layered red currant, toasty mocha and tarragon flavors that glide on a long finish. Drink now through 2031. 10,489 cases made. $38 Our Price TBD

Wine Spectator 90 Points
Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc-Viognier American 2023

Offers a light-bodied, charming mix of peach, honeysuckle and pear flavors that are crisp and fresh. A touch of lime sherbet lingers on the finish alongside a note of freshly grated ginger. Chenin Blanc and Viognier. Drink now. 175,000 cases made. $18 Our Price $11.99 (Available GT and VRW)

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. $72/750ml. Half Bottles $50. In Store Price $20.95/375ml (Back in stock GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 90 Points
St. Cosme Côtes du Rhone 2022, Magnums

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. $35/magnum (Arrives GT this afternoon)

Wine Spectator 97 Points, Top 100 #3
Antinori Toscana Tignanello 2021

Laced with pure cherry, strawberry, graphite and tobacco aromas and flavors, this red is beautifully supported by a backbone of vibrant acidity and taut, refined tannins. Everything is framed by vanilla and toasty oak in the best sense, revealing harmony, with a long, orange-tinged finish and, yes, even drinkability at this stage. Best to give this a few more years in the bottle. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2027 through 2045. 29,167 cases made, 11,083 cases imported. $180

Wine Spectator 97 Points
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District Cask 23 2021

This is loaded with gorgeous flavors of boysenberry, mulberry and blackberry puree that maintain a sleek and refined feel as violet, iris and anise notes add range, lift and energy. A super fine-grained feel completes the seduction on the lengthy finish, where subtle minerality chimes prettily. Drink now through 2042. 2,175 cases made. $375 Our Price TBD

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Taste 2022 Mer Soleil Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay, 2022 Skylark Alondra Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and 2021 M by Michael Mondavi Napa Cabernet at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, November 22nd. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2022 Mer Soleil Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: Taking its name from the sea and sun – the two forces of nature that shape its exotic character – this wine is as dramatic as the place where it is sourced. With morning fog, bright sunshine and gusting winds, Monterey county has an extended growing season. Grapes stay on the vine longer, leading to the development of intense aromas such as custard and toasted almonds, rich fruit flavors and enlivening lemon/lime. $25

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

2021 M by Michael Mondavi Napa Cabernet Sauvignon (Tasting notes for 2021 vintage available 11/27/24)

Winemaker Notes for the 2019 Vintage: Deep, iridescent ruby followed by aromas of rose, cherry blossom, violets, and currant leaf, with notes of black cherry, roasted chestnuts, vanilla, and cocoa. On the palate, flavors of rhubarb, currant, fig, and marzipan with toasty oak notes and, well-integrated tannins. $210

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Taste 2022 Alpha Omega Two Squared Arroyo Seco Chardonnay, 2022 Turnbull Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and 2021 Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person
Saturday, November 23rd. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points
2022 Alpha Omega Two Squared Arroyo Seco Chardonnay

This label for Alpha Omega Collective presents a very satisfying take on Chardonnay in this bottling, starting with melon, ripe pear and struck stone aromas. The palate is tightly wound and bouncy with citrusy energy, as stonefruit and light pineapple flavors add depth. — Matt Kettmann $32

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

Wine Spectator 94 Points, 2024 Top 100 #6
Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District 2021

Super lush and polished in feel, with creamy-textured açaí, mulberry and cassis notes gliding through slowly. Laced with alluring hints of violet, iris and anise, this offers a melted licorice note on the finish, but the fruit wins out easily. Drink now through 2037. 13,363 cases made. $120

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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


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