On deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Vocoret & Fils Chablis Les Clos 2021

Linear and intense, this precise white is marked by a mix of lemon, apple, peach and stone flavors, with accents of white flowers and fresh herbs. Balanced and vibrant, with a salty, mouthwatering finish. Best from 2024 through 2030. 100 cases imported. $150

Wine Spectator 94
Simonnet-Febvre Chablis Preuses 2020

An elegant white, offering delicate floral, peach and lemon cake aromas and flavors and a beautifully integrated frame. Subtle yet focused, lingering on the cleansing, mineral-infused aftertaste. Drink now through 2028. 150 cases made, 20 cases imported. $130

Wine Spectator 92 Points
2021 Ridge Three Valleys Zinfandel

A broad-shouldered red, with a potent structure but expressive blackberry, savory dill and white pepper flavors that speed toward medium-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet. Drink now through 2033. $35

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
2021 Ridge East Bench Zinfandel

Coming all from the Funsten Ranch in the Dry Creek Valley and 100% Zinfandel, the 2021 Zinfandel East Bench has a rich, more subtle style in its aromatics, with ripe plum, cigar, spice, and earthy nuances, and it certainly plays in the darker, red and black-fruited end of the spectrum. These all carry over to the palate, where the wine is medium to full-bodied, has a deep, expansive, concentrated mouthfeel, velvety tannins, terrific mid-palate density, and a gorgeous finish. This richly textured, incredibly impressive Zinfandel needs 2-3 years to gain additional complexity but will be long-lived, with another 15+ years of prime drinking ahead of it. $45

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

Taste 2019 Booker Vineyard Fracture Syrah and 2021 Saxum G2 Vineyard at Vintage Reserve Wine for $25 per person. (Limited: We will open one bottle of each wine for this tasting)
Tuesday, March 26th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
2019 Booker Vineyard Fracture Syrah

The 100% Syrah 2019 Fracture comes all from the Booker Estate Vineyard and is another pure, balanced, incredibly classy wine from this estate. Loads of darker fruits, ground black pepper, crushed stone, and scorched earth give way to a medium to full-bodied, powerful, concentrated Syrah that will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and cruise for 10-15 years. $105 Our Price $94.95 (Available GT and VRW)

Jeb Dunnuck 97-99 Points
2021 Saxum G2 Vineyard

Not yet bottled but already incredibly impressive, the 2021 G2 will be Grenache-dominated but includes smaller amounts of Syrah and Graciano. It’s loaded with red and black raspberry-like fruits as well as tons of floral, pepper, and spicy nuances, which carry to a full-bodied, pure, elegant red. It’s remarkably complex for such a young wine and has incredible tannins and a gorgeous finish. Don’t miss it. $165

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

Two Tastings Wednesday at Vintage Reserve Wine:
Wednesday, March 27th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

#1. Taste Sauvignon Blanc: 2023 La Crema Sonoma, 2023 Round Pond Rutherford Estate and 2022 Eisele Napa for $15 per person.

2023 La Crema Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc

Winemaker Notes: The nose of the 2023 La Crema Sauvignon Blanc shows notes of nectarine, Lime, Melon, and subtle hints of wet stone and flint. On the palate, grapefruit and white peach are accompanied by tropical notes of mango and guava. Barrel fermentation brings volume and texture to the wine while crisp and vibrant acidity drives a juicy lingering finish. $19

Tasting Panel 93 Points
2023 Round Pond Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc

A stunning lesson in subtlety from Rutherford. Pale straw yellow color with a slight green tinge, youthful, vibrant, fresh, with excellent purity. Layered notes of citrus rind, passion fruit, lychee, and basil, augmented by a slight tropical note. Plenty of volume on the palate while maintaining excellent balance with lifted acidity to keep it lively. Entirely from stainless steel. A highly inviting, refined, elegant style. $30

James Suckling 98 Points
2022 Eisele Napa Sauvignon Blanc

So much complex pear blossom, peaches, Meyer lemon, pineapple and snap peas. Full bodied with a layered, phenolic texture and a tangy and vivid finish. Some flint at the end. Really zesty. $135

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

#2. Taste 2021 Alejandro Bulgheroni Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Lithology Napa Valley and 2014 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23 for $45 per person. (Limited: We will open one bottle of each Cabernet for this tasting)

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points
2021 Alejandro Bulgheroni Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Lithology Napa Valley

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Lithology Napa Valley checks in as a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and a splash of Cabernet Franc coming from multiple terroirs throughout the valley. A gorgeous Cabernet, it has ripe red and black fruits as well as some tobacco and spicy, floral notes, medium to full body, ripe, velvety tannins, great mid-palate depth, and a great finish. $130

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
2014 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23 is a smoking effort from this team. Revealing a deep purple color and stunning notes of blackcurrants and black raspberries like fruit, it offers loads of spice, cedar and dried flower nuances, full-bodied richness, a ripe, full-bodied, majestic texture, beautiful tannin quality, and a great finish. This sensational 2014 has a rare mix of power and elegance and will keep for20-25 years. CA Market Price $275-$360

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

Taste 2021 My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019 Justin Isosceles Proprietary Red and 2020 Justin Isosceles Proprietary Red at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Thursday, March 28th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2021 My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is smoking good, with a full-bodied, rich, opulent wine that has classic cassis and darker blue fruits as well as leafy tobacco, baking spice, and bouquet garni notes. This textured, ripe, sexy wine stays nicely balanced, has ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's another awesome value. $60

2019 Justin Isosceles Proprietary Red

Winemaker Notes: Very aromatic and complex with ripe black cherry and cassis fruit, vanilla, cinnamon, and licorice spice with sweet tobacco, cedar, leather, and camphor notes. Full-bodied with ripe complex black cherry, boysenberry, cassis, and blackberry fruit on entry with baking spice. Dusty tannins appear on the mid-palate with cedar, dried tobacco leaf, and saddle leather as it progresses. The finish is long, fresh, and balanced with notes of bay leaf, dried red rose petal, oak, and sustained tannins. 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% abernet Franc, 10% Merlot. $90

2020 Justin Isosceles Proprietary Red

Winemaker Notes: Bright with a dark purple/black core and a lighter ruby purple rim showing slowforming, moderately stained tears on the glass. Attractively aromatic and complex with ripe black and red cherry, black currant, new book leather, cedar, tobacco, vanilla bean, licorice, and oak. Justin Isosceles Paso Robles Red Blend is full-bodied on the palate with ripe complex cherry, cassis, and a subtle red berry fruit on entry, with vanilla and licorice baking spice leading into the midpalate, which shows complex savory notes of cedar, tobacco leaf, and leather. The very long, complex, and continually changing finish is a progression of sustained ripe cherry fruit accented by baking spice and oak notes, with smooth chewy tannins and balanced acidity, adding depth and freshness. 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot $90

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

Wine Spectator 93 Points
MASSOLINO Barolo 2019

This red straddles the line between power and elegance, featuring delicate flavors of strawberry, cherry and rose hip, plus notes of earth, tar and iron. Finishes with more power and the grip of refined tannins, offering terrific balance and length. Best from 2026 through 2043. 7,080 cases made, 2,400 cases imported. $56 Our Price $49.95 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 93 Points * Simonnet-Febvre Chablis Vaillons 2020

There is nice cut to this white, with lemony acidity offsetting the rich texture and light spice notes, while allowing the core of apple to shine through. Ends with a stony element. Fine balance and juiciness overall. Drink now through 2028. 1,500 cases made, 200 cases. $55 Our Price $46.99 (Arrives GT 3/27/24)

James Suckling 94 Points
2020 Boris Champy Bignon 421 Hautes-Cotes de Beaune, Burgundy

A revolutionary wine, even for this cool-climate appellation. Very cool red-cherry and cranberry nose with a slew of herbal nuances. A lot riper, rounder and more concentrated on the palate than the nose suggested. Very long, sleek and straight palate with tons of mountain freshness and wet-stone minerality at the very exciting finish. The name comes from the fact that the Bignon site is 421 meters above sea level. From biodynamically grown grapes and matured in 500-liter oak barrels. Drink or hold. $60 Our Price $56.99 (Available GT and VRW)

James Suckling 94 Points
2020 Simonnet-Febvre Fourchaume Chablis Premier Cru

This Premier Cru Chablis has a exciting balance of ripe citrus fruit with vibrant mineral freshness that makes it leap and bound over the palate. Not a hint of the opulence that 2020 sometimes has. Very clean, long finish with complex chalky character. Drink or hold. $75 Our Price $56.99 (Arrives GT 3/27/24)

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 96 Points
2019 Mt. Brave Mt. Veeder Cabernet

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic Mount Veeder wine loaded with strong savory and mineral accents. Black fruit, graphite menthol and licorice lend complexity to this huge, explosive Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannins are pretty fierce at this stage, so readers should plan on being patient. $150 Our Price $124.95 (Available GT and VRW)

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

Taste 2021 Tekstura Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Redford-Wetle Vineyard, 2021 Amici Olema Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon and 2021 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, March 29th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 95 Points
Tekstura Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Redford-Wetle Vineyard 2021

This compelling wine shows impressive structure and polish, with multilayered raspberry and blueberry flavors. Reveals notes of forest floor, crushed rock and black tea as this builds richness and tension toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2033. 455 cases made.—T.F. $70

2021 Amici Olema Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: The 2021 Olema Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas of black cherry, plum and hints of cedar box. Full-bodied and balanced, this wine shows flavors of wild berries, licorice, and black olive on the palate. Silky tannins are matched with a rich fruit core throughout the long finish. Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, 5% Petite Sirah, 4% Merlot. $25

Wine Spectator 94 Points
Faust Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2021

Packed and broad in feel, with a ganache note draped over black currant, blackberry and steeped cherry. Licorice root and alder smoke flavors check in on the finish as the fruit pumps through, ending with a flash of violet. Hard to resist now, but this has some development ahead. Drink now through 2036. 50,000 cases made. $65

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

Taste 2021 Pinot Noir: Carmel Road MONTEREY, Goldeneye Anderson Valley and DuMOL MacIntyre Vineyard Russian River Valley Estate at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, March 30th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

2021 Carmel Road MONTEREY PINOT NOIR

Our 2021 Monterey Pinot Noir has bright cherry aromas that are layered with notes of wild strawberries and black tea. On the mouth, you get juicy black cherry flavors and notes of cola with hints of vanilla, toasted oak and well balanced tannins. A silky texture leads to a long finish. $18

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

Vinous Media 100 Points
DuMOL MacIntyre Vineyard Russian River Valley Estate Pinot Noir 2021

The 2021 Pinot Noir MacIntyre Estate Vineyard is magnificent. Dark, plush and exceptionally vivid, the 2021 is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty. The mix of Calera and Swan clones yields an unctuous, rich Pinot that does not taste like a wine from sandy soils. The 2021 is sensational. I don't think I have ever tasted a wine like this before here. A rush of dark blue/purplish fruit, gravel, spice and menthol builds into the huge, structured finish. Unforgettable. $105

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

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