June 16th 2017 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

June 16th 2017 Newsletter

Wine Spectator 92
CHÂTEAU D’EPIRÉ Savennières Cuvée Spéciale

2014 Has a hint of maturity, with light almond and salted butter notes framing the core of creamed yellow apple, quince and pear flavors. A twinge of mirabelle plum on the finish lends lift and contrast. There’s plenty of life here for more cellaring. Drink now through 2027.—J.M. 383 cases imported $30 Our Price $24.99

Wine Spectator 90
ROEDERER ESTATE Brut Rosé Anderson Valley NV

A delicate and floral pink, with rose petal and strawberry aromas and pretty, crisp apple and spiced cinnamon flavors. Drink now.—T.F $29 Our Price $23.45

Wine Spectator 90
LA CREMA Chardonnay Monterey 2015

Balanced and fruity, with juicy apricot, pear and guava flavors, accented by spice hints. Creamy notes linger on the pastry-filled finish. Drink now through 2021. 50,000 cases made. –KM $20 Our Price $16.95

2014 Pride Mountain Merlot, Half Bottle

Winemaker Notes: Intense ripe aromas of plum, berries, black tea and verbena all pour from the glass along with more subtle notes of truffle, baking spice, cumin and vanilla. In the mouth, the 2014 Merlot is super-ripe and expressive, with a luscious, fruit-driven dense mid-palate and tannins that are a case study for the descriptor "velvety." The finish possesses length and power and a subtle minerality. Half Bottles $30

Wine Spectator 91
SANTA BARBARA WINERY Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills Reserve 2014

This white offers mouthfilling flavors of ginger, gooseberry and white berry that are focused and well-proportioned. Smoky hints show midpalate, followed by a suave finish loaded with delicate citrus, spice and dried herbal notes. Drink now through 2021. 1,727 cases made. –KM $25 Our Price $19.69

Wine Spectator 93
SONOMA-LOEB Chardonnay Carneros El Novillero 2015

Ultrarich and concentrated, with layers of fruit complexity built around green apple, pear, melon, apricot and peach flavors. A real mouthful of full-bodied Chardonnay, showing a seam of elegance. Drink now through 2021.—J.L. 485 cases made. $42 Our Price $ (Arrives 6/20/17)

Wine Spectator 89
JOEL GOTT Sauvignon Blanc California 2015

This white is precise, showing mango, lemon verbena and lime sherbet flavors that are fragrant and juicy. A hint of honeysuckle lingers on the finish. Drink now. 83,500 cases made. –MW $14 Our Price $8.95

Wine Spectator 91
REX HILL Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2014, Half Bottles

Sleek and well-knit, with black cherry and dusty mint aromas and balanced smoky plum flavors that finish with refined tannins. Drink now through 2021. 7,110 cases made. –TF $18/375ml Our Price $14.95/375ml

2014 Frank Family Napa Valley Zinfandel

Winemaker Notes: Opens with aromas of raspberries, vanilla, and earthy dried herbs notes. Medium bodied on the palate with an abundance of fresh fruit and black pepper flavors on the entry, this wine is round, silky, and finishes with flavors of ripe blackberries. 16 months in 33% new French oak barrels, and 67% once and twice-filled French oak barrels. $35 Our Price $29.79

2015 Raeburn Russian River Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: The 2015 Raeburn Chardonnay shows an array of complex fruit tones ranging from pear and Gravenstein apple to nectarine. The fruit is beautifully complemented with toasted oak, vanilla and hints of Creme Brulee with a balanced and elegant finish. $18 Our Price $14.49

Wine Spectator 93
BODEGAS DIOS BACO Oloroso Jerez Baco de Élite NV

Smooth and sweet, this rich white offers maple, burnt sugar, walnut, dried orange and prune flavors wrapped in a silky, delicate texture, with lively acidity to balance the moderate sweetness. Finishes with spicy notes that bring you back for another sip. Drink now. 2,500 cases made. –TM. $22 Our Price $18.99

2012 Gregory Graham Crimson Hill Cabernet

Winemaker Notes: Our Cabernet Sauvignon is from our Crimson Hill Vineyard in the Red Hills district of Lake County. The vineyard is at 2,000 feet elevation and overlooks the southern end of Clear Lake. This 13-acre block was planted in 1995 with clone 7 Cabernet on 110R rootstock. The crimson red, volcanic soil provides the perfect site for growing great red wines. The climate is ideal for late season reds because the vineyard receives daily full sun with warm temperatures which are tempered by daily afternoon mistrals. The majority of the vineyard is contracted to Napa Valley wineries. $30 Our Price $25.69 (Delicious!)

Antonio Galloni Vinous 93+ pts
2013 Keenan Winery Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is deep and powerful from the get go, with beams of supporting tannin and acidity that give the wine its sense of proportion. There is plenty of nuance in the dark fruit, along with terrific aromatic complexity, but today the tannins are imposing, to say the least. Readers should be prepared to cellar the 2013 for at least a few years, but even that may not be enough. This is another terrific example of the vintage. $54 Our Price $47.99

Wine Spectator 90
KENWOOD Chardonnay Russian River Valley Six Ridges 2015

There's lots to admire in this rich, creamy-textured effort, with touches of citrus, apricot, honeydew and spicy oak. Starts and ends clean and pure. Drink now. 3,000 cases made. –JL $22 Our Price $18.99 (In Store Special $14.99)

2016 Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc

Winemaker Notes: The high elevation of our Mason Vineyard in Lake County's Kelsey Bench and arc of rich, red volcanic soils, provides a unique growing region for ripe Sauvignon Blanc flavor and body year after year. The Sauvignon Blanc opens with aromas of fragrant orange blossom, ruby grapefruit, and white peach flavors set on a light body with pops of lime zest and passion fruit. $12 Our Price $9.29

Wine Spectator 92
DONUM Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Angel Camp Single Vineyard 2013

Combines richness with elegance, restraint and finesse, delivering caressing blueberry and raspberry notes, and touches of spice, fresh earth, anise and light cedar. An altogether graceful style, with understated attributes. Drink now through 2022. 135 cases made. $90 –JL (Back in stock)

Wine Spectator 95
LEWIS Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve 2014

A mix of harmony, finesse, seductive oak and rich fruit adds up to a delightful mouthful of Cabernet, from the initial aromas of creamy, mocha-scented oak to the structured currant, blackberry and licorice flavors. Ends with a return to the oak theme. Drink now through 2030. From California.—J.L 1,400 cases made. $175 Our Price $159.99

Wine Spectator 92
KOSTA BROWNE Chardonnay Russian River Valley One Sixteen 2015

Charming for the rich, creamy mix of anise, pear, fig and apricot notes. A wine that is both intense and, at points, seamless and refined. Ends with edgy tannins but complex flavors. Drink now through 2022.—J.L. Market $75-$110 (2 bottles available at $83/bottle. Please email stan@grapetray.com)

Wine Advocate 96
2013 Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Oakville is a blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot aged in 80% new French oak. A beautiful, saturated purple color offers up blackberry, crème de cassis, licorice, charcoal and camphor. Full-bodied, yet still youthful and tight, it is bursting with terrific purity, texture and length. This big, classic Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon will hit its prime in 10-15 years, and last 30 or more years, based on how older vintages from this sector have aged. It's a beauty. $120

Wine Advocate 98
2014 L'Aventure Winery Estate Cuvee

A massive, gorgeously rich and decadent version of this cuvee, the 2014 Estate Cuvee (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Syrah and 15% Petit Verdot) is reminiscent of a 2005 Pomerol with its huge bouquet of cassis, toasted spice, graphite, damp earth and leafy herb aromas and flavors. Thick, full-bodied, unctuous and palate-saturating, yet still with purity and grace, it's an insanely good Bordeaux blend (or close) from Paso Robles that will have two decades of overall longevity. $105


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