The Grape Tray will be open on Monday during the month of December

Grape Tray

Monday-Friday: 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Saturday: 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM

************

Vintage Reserve Wine

Tuesday-Friday: 12:00 noon – 6:00 PM

Saturday: 12:00 noon – 4:00 PM

***********

On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

2022 Kistler Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: This wine captivates with its vibrant bouquet of red berries, rose petals, and a hint of earthy undertones. On the palate, it offers a harmonious blend of ripe cherries, cranberries, and a touch of spice, all supported by a well-structured, silky texture. $75

James Suckling 92 Points
2021 Lewis Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Ripe black fruit, dried coconut, walnut and bark on the nose. Full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins. Ripe and dense with a spirited finish. Slightly old school but attractive and intense. Try after 2023.

2021 Mending Wall Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Year after year, the iconic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon delivers on its namesake. The combination of fruit sourced from two St. Helena vineyards is a superb representation of this Napa Valley sub-region. Classic aromas of red currant, black cherry, tobacco all bind together with the astounding mouth feel of a smooth, silky chocolate finish. Nuances of toasted oak and laser-like acidity add layers of complexity, while a well-done mid-palate leaves a lasting impression of satisfaction. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Production: 9 Barrels. $100

**********

Taste 2022 Drouhin Oregon Roserock Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills, 2022 Domaine Faiveley Mercurey Clos des Myglands and 2022 Capiaux Pisoni Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Thursday, December 12th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 94 Points
Drouhin Oregon Roserock Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2022

Supple and elegantly structured, with detailed raspberry and cherry flavors that are accented by rose petal, brown baking spices and orange peel as this glides toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2032. 15,100 cases made. $44

Wine Spectator 92 Points
2022 Domaine Faiveley Mercurey Clos des Myglands

This intense red features black cherry, blackberry, violet and mineral aromas and flavors. Supple yet dense, with fine overall balance and a long, fruit-stained aftertaste. Best from 2027 through 2042. 386 cases imported. $65

Vinous Media 92 Points
2022 Capiaux Pisoni Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

The 2022 Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard is a rich, bombastic wine. Dark plum, chocolate, licorice and spice are all amplified in this dense, full-bodied Pinot. The 2022 is a classic Pisoni Pinot built on textural richness and body Drinking Window: 2023 – 2032. $65

********

Wine Spectator 90 Points
St. Cosme Côtes du Rhone 2020, Magnums

A solidly built version, with crushed cherry and plum puree notes that meld with melted red licorice before singed juniper takes over on the finish. This has guts and range. Drink now through 2023. 20,000 cases made, 10,000 cases imported. $40/Magnum. Our Price $27.95 (Arrives GT this afternoon)

2020 Thread Feathers Stags Leap Cabernet

Winemaker Notes: This 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning expression of the Stags Leap District growing region. Grown on an eastern facing hillside on the west side of Silverado Trail, this wine is bright and opulent with dark fruit notes of dark cherry and blueberry compote and hints of baking spice, cedar, violet and crushed stone. This wine is rich with beautiful structure, balance and polished tannins. 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. $40 Our Price $34.99 (Back in stock GT this afternoon)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Laird Family Jillian's Blend Napa Valley 2018

On the slightly rugged, old-school style of the spectrum, with a core of steeped red and black currant fruit backed by a burly structure and notes of chestnut, sage and bay leaf. Shows singed cedar and alder notes that thread up the finish, with nice latent energy. For fans of the gutsy style. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024 through 2036. 2,380 cases made. $58 Our Price $45.99 (Back in stock GT 12/13/24)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Laird Family Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2021

A lush, flattering style, with warmed cassis, fresh açaí berry and boysenberry pâte de fruit notes pressed together by bittersweet cocoa–accented toast. Dark and winey through the finish, with a streak of tar underneath that gives the lush fruit a solid grounding. Best from 2025 through 2037. 1,400 cases made. $70 Our Price $54.99 (Back in stock GT 12/13/24)

 **********

Taste 2022 Ramey Russian River Chardonnay, 2022 Olema Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon and 2018 Robert Foley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, December 13th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 94 Points, Top 100 #10
2022 Ramey Russian River Chardonnay

Oozing with character, this succulent and mouthwatering white offers a fleshy, juicy mix of perfectly ripe peach, mango and lemon bar flavors, with fresh herbal accents of lemon verbena and vetiver. Offers accents of freshly grated ginger, tangerine and crunchy sea salt on the finish. Drink now through 2036.—MaryAnn Worobiec $50

James Suckling 92 Points
2022 Olema Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

Polished but bold and textured, this deeply flavored wine offers black cherry, blueberry and raspberry accents, along with spicy, savory elements from small amounts of malbec, petite sirah and merlot. Moderate tannins lend a light snap to the texture. $25

Jeb Dunnuck 94+ Points
2018 Robert Foley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is also incredibly perfumed, with lots of blue fruits, violets, and spring flower notes to go with a medium to full-bodied style on the palate. It brings this terrific mix of richness and elegance. As with the Claret, it was aged 18-20 months in 30% new French oak. $100

**********

Taste Kuentz-Bas Crémant d'Alsace Brut, 2015 Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuveé Carneros and Krug Grande Cuvee 172nd Edition Brut NV Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $25 per person
Saturday, December 14th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

Kuentz-Bas Crémant d'Alsace Brut

Importer Anthony Lynch Notes: A dignified bottle of bubbles like this is certainly suitable for special occasions and would beautifully complement the most refined cuisine. There is a rich, toasty complexity from lees aging, which highlights the delicate aromas you’ll find in your glass: honey, nectarine, citrus, and summer flowers. But at the end of the day, it’s simply a great sparkler that needs no excuse to be uncorked. You can most definitely count on Alsace for that. $25

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuveé Carneros 2015

An opulent, decadent style, with raspberry, poached pear, roasted nut and yeast roll flavors that build richness on the spicy finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Drink now. $60

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

**********

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
Monday 10:30 AM–5:30 PM (December 2024)
Tuesday-Friday 10:30 AM-5:30 PM
Saturday 10:30 AM-4:00 PM