On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Wine Spectator 94 Points * RÉSONANCE Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2021

Precise and elegantly structured, with detailed raspberry, savory tea and crushed stone accents that gather richness and tension toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2031. 10,870 cases made.—T.F. $40

Wine Spectator 93 Points
PAHLMEYER Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Jayson 2021

Frankly ripe, offering an enticing gush of açaí, blackberry and black currant compote notes that roll through, carried by warm humus, licorice root and singed alder notes. A muscular style, this is defined, with subtle, latent energy through the finish. Best from 2025 through 2037. —J.M. $100

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points
2021 Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot

Lots of red plums, darker chocolate, and tobacco notes emerge from the 2021 Merlot, a beautifully textured, medium-bodied Pomerol look-alike that has fine tannins, notable purity, and a great finish. It's beautifully done and an utterly delicious, satisfying Merlot to drink over the coming decade. $69

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Taste 2021 Jaffurs Petite Sirah Thompson Vineyard, 2021 Turley Hayne Petite Syrah and 2020 Jaffurs Syrah Upslope at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $20 per person.
Thursday, February 22nd. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points
2021 Jaffurs Petite Sirah Thompson Vineyard

The 2021 Petite Sirah Thompson Vineyard is a perennial winner. Coming all from the Thompson Vineyard in the Alisos Canyon region of Santa Barbara County and brought up in 18% new American oak, its deep purple hue is followed by a beautiful array of red, black, and blue fruits interwoven with cedarwood, flowery incense, and peppery herbs. It's rich and full-bodied, with beautiful fruit and fine tannins. This is one incredibly classy Petite Sirah that has plenty of up-front appeal yet, I suspect, the balance and structure to evolve for well over a decade. $45

Wine Advocate 96 Points
2021 Turley Hayne Petite Syrah

The 2021 Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard comes from vines planted in 1953. Opaque ruby-black in color, this has some rubbery touches on the nose that give way with time to blackcurrant, garrigue, cocoa powder, laurel leaves and charcuterie. The palate is lighter on its feet than the nose leads you to believe, with alluringly floral flavors and soft herbal undertones. It has a surprisingly refined texture, impressive freshness and a very long finish. Offer it 3-5 years in bottle. $90

Jeb Dunnuck 99 Points
2020 Jaffurs Syrah Upslope

Lastly, the 2020 Syrah Upslope is the flagship of the estate and comes from a cellar selection of the single vineyards. It was co-fermented with 98% Syrah and 2% Viognier and aged in 60% new French oak. Offering the purity of the Larner Vineyard as well as additional peppery, gamey nuances, its deep purple hue is followed by a smorgasbord-like array of red, blue, and black fruits as well as full-bodied, unctuous layers of peppercorns, gamey meats, iron, and bouquet garni. With just about off-the-charts purity, a deep, layered mid-palate, and perfect balance, this awesome Syrah can be enjoyed any time over the coming 15 years or so. $80

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2022 Carmel Road Monterey Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: Lively aromas of white peach and Asian pear. Bright acidity, minerality, fresh and vibrant on the palate with layers of citrus. Texture and richness lead to a round and complex finish. It was an early vintage set by some warmer weather in September. Lower than usual yields, but extremely good quality and concentration in the wines. $15 Our Price $10.99 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 92 Points
Goldeneye Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 2021

Juicy and inviting, with tasty raspberry and mulberry notes infused with pine forest, red tea and wet earth accents. Keeps the fleshy, juicy feel through the lightly toasted finish. Drink now through 2028. $62 Our Price $46.99/750ml and $24.99/375ml (Back in stock GT)

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 2/23/24)

Wine Advocate 93 Points
Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico Riserva Berardo 2019

A certified organic wine, the 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva Berardo offers bright aromas of dried cherry, forest berry, sweet spice and cinnamon. With fruit from beautiful Castelnuovo Berardenga on the southern side of the appellation, this wine shows medium-rich concentration and good texture with savory oak-driven elements. $45 (Arrives GT this afternoon)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico Il Poggiale Riserva 2020

Rich and evoking cherry, raspberry, iron and spice flavors, this red is backed by vibrant acidity and dense tannins. Balanced and brimming with energy on the long finish. Should hit its stride in two to three more years. Sangioveto, Canaiolo and Ciliegiolo. Best from 2025 through 2043. 1,100 cases made, 800 cases imported. $39 (Arrives GT this afternoon)

Wine Advocate 96 Points
2021 Aperture Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Aperture's estate vineyard in Healdsburg and their newest vineyard acquisition, Farrow Ranch in Alexander Valley, plus some of the original single vineyards in the Aperture program like Oliver Ranch. It is blended with 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc and was matured for 16 months in 55% new French oak. It has vibrant, layered aromas of blueberry compote, lavender, aniseed, milk chocolate and nutmeg with undertones of cast iron and tobacco leaves. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled, pairing deep flavors with a weightless feel due to its bright acidity and velvety tannins. It has a long, latent finish and deserves 3-5 years in bottle. 4,480 cases produced. $80 (Available GT and VRW)

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Taste Cabernet Sauvignon: 2018 Kiona Red Mountain, 2019 Stags Leap Winery Napa and 2018 Taub Family Rutherford at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, February 23rd. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2018 Kiona Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: This authoritative wine shows why Red Mountain has a reputation as a powerhouse Cabernet Sauvignon producer capable of going toe-to-toe with the world's best. Fine-grain tannin, pure red and dark fruit, and deep color abound. Red Mountain produces balanced Cabernet Sauvignon with impeccable geographical specificity and intrinsic appeal. $25

James Suckling 93 Points
2019 Stags Leap Winery Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Lovely aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, ground spice and anise. Full-bodied with fine, silky tannins. Juicy and vibrant on the palate with lovely balance and intensity. Drinking well now, but can definitely age. Drink or hold. $60

Wine Enthusiast 93 * 2018 Taub Family Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

Well structured and dense with fruit and oak-spice flavors, this full-bodied wine wraps significant velvety tannins around black cherries, black currant and mint notes. Perfumed with cedar and cinnamon on the nose, the wine is smooth on the midpalate and lingers on the finish $70

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Taste 2022 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley, 2021 Elk Cove Five Mountain Pinot Noir and 2021 Merry Edwards Russian River Pinot at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, February 24th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

Wine Spectator 95 Points
Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley 2022

A stunning white, this leaps out of the glass with aromatic mango, orange blossom and salted ripe melon flavors. Gains complexity from grilled peach, lemon oil, savory litsea oil and toasted herb elements, with a fleshy, creamy texture and fresh acidity. Drink now through 2029. 15,000 cases made.—M.W. $50

Wine Advocate 94 Points
2021 Elk Cove Five Mountain Pinot Noir

Medium ruby-purple, the 2021 Pinot Noir Five Mountain has deep aromas of cranberries, red cherries, black tea leaves, charcuterie and bitters. The medium-bodied palate explodes with concentrated, perfumed fruits. All that generosity is supported by silky tannins and bright, mouthwatering acidity that calls you in for another sip on the long, layered, spicy finish. What a lovely expression this vintage! $55

James Suckling 93 Points
2021 Merry Edwards Russian River Pinot

Lots of focused tannins and dark fruits such as cherries and strawberries. Hibiscus. Very clear and precise. Full to medium body. Very fine and clean tannins. Orange peel. Linear and racy finish. $56

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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