Thanksgiving Hours:

Grape Tray

Tuesday and Wednesday: 10:30 AM-5:30 PM
Thursday and Friday: Closed
Saturday: 10:30 AM-4:00 PM

Vintage Reserve Wine

Tuesday and Wednesday: 12:00 Noon-6:00 PM
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 12 Noon-4:00 PM
Saturday: 12 Noon-4:00 PM

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 On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Schramsberg Brut Rosé North Coast 2020

Generous yet steely at the core, with fragrant raspberry, rose petal and gingerbread accents that dance on the long, zesty finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Drink now. 15,750 cases made. $50

Vinous Media 93 Points
2022 Henri Bourgeois Sancerre The Coast of the Damned Mountains

The 2022 La Cotes des Monts Damnés is a ripe, full-bodied style with power and weight. It is pure, fragrant and attractive even in youth, with floral and richly fruity characters - all nectarine and pineapple flavors. Expect a concentrated, intense wine that retains a sense of purpose and a lightly chalky texture. One for the long haul. Drink 2024-2033. $45

Wine Advocate 94 Points
2022 Turley Rattlesnake Ridge Howell Mountain Zinfandel

The 2022 Zinfandel Rattlesnake Ridge is a tense, moving target on the nose, traversing myriad aromas of fresh herbs, ripe stone fruits, coconut flakes, meaty dark fruits, aniseed and subtle reduction before settling itself. The palate is medium to full-bodied but relatively restrained and elegant, coming across as lighter on its feet than the nose would suggest. The finish combines soft, fine but grainy tannins with well-rounded, balanced acidity and a long, perfumed finish. Cleary in need of unwinding and further integration, I look forward to checking back on this wine in 3-5 years and over the following decade. $60

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

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Taste 2020 Boscarelli Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and 2021 Antinori Toscana Tignanello at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person. (Limited: We will open one bottle of each wine for this tasting)
Tuesday, November 26th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 92 Points
Boscarelli Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2020

Pure, this red boasts aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry, iron, leather and tobacco. Rich yet firmly structured, displaying refined tannins and lively acidity. Offers fine overall balance and length. Drink now through 2030. 4,100 cases made, 50 cases imported. $44

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

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Taste 2023 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Rosé, 2021 Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and 2022 Schrader Double Diamond Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
 Wednesday, November 27th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points
2023 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Rosé

Soft peach, watermelon and rose petal aromas hold their poise for days on the nose of this blend of 71% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 8% Vermentino and 1% Counoise. The palate is energetic and and stony in texture, offering crisp pomegranate and orange peel flavors. $28

Vinous Media 93 Points
2021 Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

The 2021 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is a huge overachiever. Bright, punchy and super-expressive, the 2021 offers up boisterous red/purplish fruit. Lavender, rose petal, spice and mint are all dialed up in this heady, explosive Pinot. Readers will have a very hard time finding a Pinot with this much quality for the money. All of the fruit is estate. I am not sure I have ever tasted a California Pinot this good for $40 a bottle. $40

2022 Schrader Double Diamond Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon offers concentration, lively acidity, and refined tannins that have become the hallmark of the 2022 vintage. The nose holds notes of black raspberry, toasted cedar, juicy plum, and pennyroyal mint—a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon signature. The palate is mouthwatering with intricately woven layers of blackberry compote, dark chocolate shavings, oolong tea, and flint. The dynamic flavors carry across the mid-palate in vivid harmony into a long, floral finish. This wine is ready to drink upon release but will cellar well for years to come. $90

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Antonio Galloni 96 Points
2021 O’Shaughnessy Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is another impressive wine from O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery. Bright acids and beams of tannin run through a core of dark red/purplish Howell Mountain fruit. Potent yet refined, the 2021 is a fine effort. Blueberry jam, plum, lavender, chocolate and graphite all build into the huge, vibrant finish. $110 (Arrives GT this afternoon)

2021 O’Shaughnessy Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Blended from our three Estate vineyards in arguably the three best appellations within the Napa Valley: Howell Mountain, Mt. Veeder and Oakville. Howell Mountain gives us structure and ripe red fruit, while Mt. Veeder adds an extra punch of tannins along with savory mineral driven qualities, Oakville balances out the mountains with its silky texture and pure fruit. This Cabernet Sauvignon is ruby red with an opaque center. A sweet entry of milk chocolate and fresh caramel greets the nose. The palate is lush and rich with black cherry, plum, and blueberry. Fine-grained tannins are integrated seamlessly, making this an approachable wine with a long finish that can be enjoyed now or cellared for years to come. $85 (Arrives GT this afternoon)

2022 Thread Feathers Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Aromas of dusty graphite, crushed rock and dried herb linger with cocoa powder and coffee bean in this intensely concentrated, powerful, mountain-grown wine. Seamless, complex and structured, the palate offers a dense array of red and dark fruit flavors highlighted by cassis and tobacco leaf with hints of leather and blackberry compote. Soft, rich, and round, it delivers well-integrated, resolved tannin buoyed by a lively palate of bright acidity and a long-lasting finish. 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. $49 Our Price $36.99 (Back in stock GT)

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 Our Price $19.99 (Available GT and VRW)

The Wine Independent 100 Points
2021 Eisele Vineyard Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon needs a bit of swirling to coax out wonderfully pure, well-defined notes of crushed blackcurrants, juicy black plums, and fresh Bing cherries giving way to an undercurrent of lilacs, star anise, and tar with a waft of fertile loam. The full-bodied palate is laden with tightly wound black berry and floral layers, framed by super-firm, super-fine-grained tannins and beautiful tension, finishing with epic length. Wow! $650 (Arrives GT this afternoon)

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Taste 2021 Rutherford Hill Merlot Napa Valley, 2021 Saddleback Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon and 2022 Penfolds Cabernet-Shiraz South Australia Bin 389 at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, November 29th. Available 12:00 noon -4:00 PM

Wine Spectator 93 Points
2021 Rutherford Hill Merlot Napa Valley

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

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
2022 Penfolds Cabernet-Shiraz South Australia Bin 389

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

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Taste Henri Champliau Authentique Brut Cremant de Bourgogne France, Vilmart Brut Champagne Grande Réserve and 2015 Schramsberg J. Schram Blancs North Coast at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person
Saturday, November 30th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

Decanter Journal 96 Points
NV Henri Champliau Authentique Brut Cremant de Bourgogne France

Intense citrus, peach, custard apple and toasted brioche aromas with a lush, creamy textured mousse and a mouthwateringly vibrant acidity. Long, crisp, zesty and luxurious. $30

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.

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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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