May 19th 2017 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

May 19th 2017 Newsletter

Wine Spectator 91
CHÂTEAU BARDE-HAUT St.-Emilion 2014, 375ml

Solid, with dark currant, fig and blackberry compote flavors that meld with dark tobacco and roasted alder notes. Maintains a fleshy edge through the finish without sacrificing energy. Best from 2018 through 2028. 4,500 cases made. –JM $28 Our Price $19.99/375ml

2015 Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

Winemaker Notes: Luscious honeysuckle, ripe pear and fresh lemongrass intertwine in this medium-bodied Vintner's Reserve Sauvignon Blanc. Hints of fresh tropical grapefruit complement the subtle mineral quality while added layers of fig and honeysuckle round out this crisp, aromatic wine. $13 Liquidation Price $8.99 (Limited to stock on hand)


Antonio Galloni, Vinous 90 pts
2014 Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is plump and juicy, not to mention a terrific introduction to the vintage. Succulent dark cherry, plum, mocha, spice and new leather are some of the signatures. Medium in body and expressive, the 2014 will drink well with minimal cellaring. This is a terrific value within the context of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2014 is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Drinking window: 2016 – 2022. $29 Our Price $18.95

2016 Laird Cold Creek Ranch Pinot Grigio

Winemaker Notes: Clear, pale golden hue with inviting aromas of juicy pineapple, jasmine and Asian pear. The palate is full with enticing flavors of lychee, peach and mineralty, leading to a focused, juicy-mouthwatering finish. $20 Our Price $14.45

2016 Donum Carneros Rose

Winemaker Notes: The 2016 Estate Rose is very pale salmon in color, with brilliant clarity. The nose is bright and floral, with lime, kiwi, strawberry and guava aromas joined by rose petal and a slightly earthy character. The palate shows bright cherry and cranberry, along with a mineral, even saline undertone that provides beautiful structure. Racy acidity is balanced by generous fruit, finishing with notes of pear and green apple. $35

2013 Pont Neuf Juicy Villages Cuvée Unique No. 84***

Winemaker Notes: Russian River Red Blend, is 60% Syrah, 20%Grenache and 20% Mourvedre. It’s hard not to think of Gigondas when smelling this satisfying red. It combines all the sweetness of a great vintage with compelling notes of spice, tobacco, fig and that elusive character the Frenchcall garrigue or what in California we call chapparal. It is the complex interwoven aromas of the shrubland mix of Provence herbs that lends aromatic complexity to this blend. The aromas of the Rhone garrigue are savory as well as sweetly perfumed, combining lavender, sage, wild thyme and artemisia.These aromatic compounds make this generous fruit-driven wine intricate, complete and satisfying. It performs best with grilled foods, lamb, roasted or braised meats and flavorful cheeses. Enjoy now through 2018. 250 cases produced. $20

Wine Enthusiast 93
2014 Sinor-LaVallee SLO Syrah

This feral and gamy wine shows roast lamb, rosemary, dried fennel, rose petal and forest floor aromas on its dynamic nose. The palate leads with explosive acidity, before waves of Concord grape and blackberry flavor take hold. It’s light on its feet but has some textural firmness, finishing on rosemary, lavender and game notes-MK $28 Our Price $23.99

Antonio Galloni, Vinous (93-96) pts
Larcis Ducasse 2014 Larcis Ducasse St. Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classé, Bordeaux

An impressive wine, the 2014 Larcis Ducasse speaks to pedigree. Beautifully layered and exquisite in the glass, the 2014 stands out for its exceptional polish and finesse. Sweet red cherry, red currant, rose petal and cinnamon are all laced together in a highly expressive, silky St.-Emilion built on nuance and precision. Super-finessed, silky tannins contribute to the wine's overall feeling of total sophistication. Over time, the 2014 gains weight and breadth, pointing to a very bright future. There is so much to like here. The blend is 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. Our Price $54.95

Wine Spectator 92
REICHSGRAF VON KESSELSTATT Riesling Spätlese Mosel Scharzhofberger 2013

A rich and well-structured style, with fine shadings of mineral and graphite to the crunchy flavors of green apple, fennel and Meyer lemon. The zippy finish has plenty of freshness and acidity. Drink now through 2040. 210 cases made. –KM $34 Our Price $25.99

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

EnRoute Les Brumaire Chardonnay 2014

Winemaker Notes: Complex stone fruits, pear, citrus and peach aromas unfold in the glass, slowly revealing additional floral and mineral notes. The entry is bright and juicy, giving way to an oily and coating midpalate full with flavors complementary to the characters on the nose. The vibrant natural acidity on the finish leaves the palate refreshed and eager for the next sip. $55 Our Price $

Wine Spectator 94
CHÂTEAU CANON St.-Emilion 2014

A fresh, pure style, with lots of floral and black tea notes out front, followed by a tightly focused beam of red currant, plum and raspberry coulis flavors. The finish sports a mouthwatering chalky spine and lovely perfume that should develop more with time. For fans of minerality. Best from 2022 through 2032. 6,665 cases made. –JM Our Price $74.99

Wine Advocate 94
2012 Hidden Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 55 Degree Slope

The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon 55 Degrees Slope exhibits an opaque ruby/purple color as well as beautiful, sweet crème de cassis, Asian plum sauce, licorice and forest floor notes. Full-bodied with velvety tannins, and impressive concentration, texture and length, this superb Cabernet can be drunk early in life because of its velvety opulence or cellared for two decades. Our Price $56.99 Limited

Wine Advocate 95
2014 David Arthur Cabernet Sauvignon Elevation 1147

The flagship wine, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Elevation 1147, is all Cabernet Sauvignon compared to the Old Vine, which is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Petit Verdot, and the Three Acre that is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with 2% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This is pedal-to-the-metal, seriously endowed, full-throttle Cabernet Sauvignon from Pritchard Hill. Chocolate, crème de cassis, incense, graphite and earth make for a complex, multidimensional set of aromatics. Full-bodied, round, juicy and, like so many 2014s, already showing complexity and easy appeal. This full-bodied, layered and rich Cabernet Sauvignon should drink well for another 20-25 years, but there is no reason to defer gratification. $225 (Limited)


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