November 25th 2017 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

November 25th 2017 Newsletter

Saturday, November 25th
Hours: 10:30 AM-4:00 PM

Wine Spectator 92
HENRI BILLIOT & FILS Brut Champagne Réserve NV

The firm acidity is lip-smacking up front but becomes juicier, framing spiced flavors of white cherry, spun honey, lemon curd and brioche. This is bright, expressive and balanced, with a fine mousse that caresses the palate like raw silk. Disgorged June 2015. Drink now through 2022. 150 cases imported. –AN $50 Our Price $42.39

2015 La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: Floral, lemon, green apple, subtle oak and spice aromas. Lemon drop, white stone fruit, yellow plum and honeydew melon flavors. Richly textured and concentrated, with balanced acidity that drives a lingering finish. $23 In-Store Price $12.95

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 93 Points
2015 Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir , Magnum

Flowers' 2015 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is a lovely appellation level wine, and also one of the highlights in this range. Sweet red cherry, plum, dried flowers and tobacco all flesh out in the glass. Nuanced, soft, and open-knit, the 2015 Sonoma Coast Pinot is a gorgeous wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. This polished, impeccable Pinot is very nicely done. $113/magnum. Our Price $96.99/magnum

42% OFF! Campo Viejo Cava Brut Reserva

Winemaker Notes: A noble and austere sparkling cava. Greenish yellow in colour with golden glints, it's clear and star bright. A persistent, elegant stream of bubbles rise to form a perfect rosary on the surface. Complex aromas of white fruits with hints of wood. Fresh, well-balanced and elegant on the palate with an excellent final sensation. $12 Our Price $6.95


2014 Sinor-LaVallee Pinot Noir- SLO County

Winemaker Notes: This is our flagship Pinot Noir blend of eight clones that come together to create a complex reflection of our Bassi Vineyard terroir. Bassi Vineyard is located just 1.2 miles from the Pacific Ocean near Avila Beach, outside of any official AVA boundaries. While we are near to other Pinot Noir regions such as Edna Valley and Santa Maria Valley, we are blessed with a wholly distinct Pinot Noir expression that revolves around elegant red fruits, peppery complexity and a clean, lifted finish. $30 Our Price $25.99 (Back in stock)


2016 Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay, Half Bottles

Winemaker Notes: Enticing aromas of vanilla, melon and mango are layered with apricot, creme brulee, butter and a slight minerality. Those scents are echoed as flavors on the creamy, rich palate, along with peach, pie crust and baking spices. The long, smooth finish is marked by mouthwatering acidity. $19/375ml. Our Price $17.99/375ml

Wine Spectator 94
MASTROJANNI Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto 2012, Magnum

Rich, full of cherry and raspberry fruit and augmented by tobacco, spice and mineral flavors. Harmonious and long, this has all the elements to age well and develop greater complexity and nuance. Best from 2020 through 2033. 375 cases made. –BS $210/magnum. Our Price $179.99/magnum

Wine Advocate 94-96
2014 Bacio Divino Janzen Cloudy's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Even better is the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Cloudy’s Vineyard, which ratchets up the level of concentration to something even beyond Beckstoffer with notes of graphite, crushed rock, white flowers, blueberries, black raspberries, camphor and subtle oak. It is deep, full-bodied and multidimensional with sweet tannin and low acidity. It should drink beautifully for the next 20-25 years. $125

Wine Advocate 92-94
2015 North Edna Valley Chardonnay

Looking at the whites, the 2015 Chardonnay comes all from John's estate in Edna Valley. It's a pretty, lively, even juicy Chardonnay that has medium to full-bodied richness and depth, beautiful purity and lots of tropical fruits, pineapple, lemon and white flower aromas and flavors. It's a classy Chardonnay that will evolve nicely for 5-6 years or more. $48

Wine Spectator 91
LAURENT-PERRIER Brut Champagne La Cuvée NV

A delicate Champagne, with a refined mousse and finely honed acidity, this offers a subtle range of black currant, lemon zest, toast and chalk flavors that linger on the lightly spiced finish. Drink now through 2020. –AN $50 Our Price $34.99

2015 Meyer Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: The nose has aromas of sweet chocolate, black cherry and elements of sweet pipe tobacco, cigar and cedar. With pretty vanilla oak and some licorice notes, the palate has an exotic, expanding finish. $75 Our Price $64.99

Wine Advocate 94
2014 Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Vice Versa Napa

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is a beauty, with an opaque purple color, an exceptional nose of blueberries, blackberries, charcoal and white flowers. The purity comes through big-time, the wine is dense, supple and, like so many 2014s, opulent, plush and endearing. This wine spent 20 months in 100% new French oak and was accessed from four of the best-known Napa vineyards: Las Piedras, Dr. Crane and Moulds Family vineyards and the large Stagecoach Vineyard. Drink it over the next 20+ years. $150

Wine Advocate 93-95
2014 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Napa, 750ml

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley spends 18 months in a combination of 30% new and 70% used French and American barrels. It is another big boy at 15.4% natural alcohol. This wine, which was not yet in bottle, is fabulous, and there are 42,000 cases of it. One of the strongest efforts yet from the Martinis, this cuvée still sells at a modest $38.00 – a fair price for something this compelling. The wine has an opaque purple color, a beautiful nose of blueberries, blackcurrants, licorice, camphor and graphite. The wine is full-bodied and multilayered on the palate with sensational richness and length. It should drink well for 20-25 years. $38 Our Price $29.69 (Arrives 12/6/17)

Wine Spectator 92
BERINGER Chardonnay Napa Valley Private Reserve 2015

Beautifully crafted, rich and layered, with tiers of smoky oak, buttery fig and tangerine, showing touches of fig and melon. Adds up to a delightfully lingering aftertaste. Drink now through 2020. 8,051 cases made. –JL $48 Our Price $35.99

Wine Advocate 96+
2014 Spottswoode Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

This first-growth estate in St. Helena has produced a 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon that is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. It is certainly one of the wines of the vintage. Gorgeously opaque purple, it offers up notes of spring flowers, blueberries, blackcurrants, some baking spice and graphite. It is full-bodied, concentrated and rich, with layers of fruit. The wine builds and builds on the palate, with a great finish of 45+ seconds. This is a sensational 2014 to drink over the next 20+ years. $190

Wine Advocate 95-98
2015 Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon to Kalon Vineyard is pretty much built along the same lines as the 2014, perhaps with lower acidity, more glycerin and an incredible energy behind all of the unctuously blue and black fruits that cascade over the palate so generously and effortlessly. It is a killer effort that will no doubt firm up with a few more months in barrel. Market $230 (2 bottles available. Please email stan@grapetray.com)

Wine Advocate 95-98
2015 Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Similarly styled to the 2014, but fatter and more savory, with even greater concentration because of lower yields, is the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Las Piedras Vineyard. Drink 2018-2038. Market $230 (2 bottles available. Please email stan@grapetray.com)

Spectator Top 100: 2017, Rank: 3 Wine Spectator 96
CHÂTEAU COUTET Barsac 2014

This shows the vivid, racy side of Barsac, with streaming flavors of pineapple, yellow apple, green plum and white ginger, displaying lovely energy from start to finish. Ends with enough honeysuckle and orange blossom notes to balance the richness. Best from 2020 through 2035. 4,000 cases made. –JM. Market $45-$53 (2 bottles available at $49/bottle. Please email stan@grapetray.com


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