January 19th 2018 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

January 19th 2018 Newsletter

Wine Enthusiast 92
2013 Neyers Conn Valley Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Black color shows a depth of extraction in this earthy, burly wine. It reveals layers of leather, cedar and tobacco most, with a billowy tannin structure providing a foundation for additional elements of meaty black fruit and graphite. $60 Our Price $31.95 (Limited to 12 bottles on hand)

Wine Spectator 90
GRAHAM Tawny Port 10 Year Old NV

This has a zesty, sweet floral aroma, with well-spiced flavors of apple tart, flan and cocoa powder. The plush, mouthfilling finish of cream, vanilla and raspberry is fresh and balanced. Drink now. 25,000 cases made. –KM $35 Our Price $21.95 (3 bottles in stock)

J Vineyards Cuvee 20 Brut

Winemaker Notes: This J non-vintage Brut gracefully opens up with crisp lemon peel, honeysuckle and delicate yeast aromas. Upon entry, these notes follow through to a mix of Fuji apple and grapefruit interlaced with toast, caramel and almond flavors on the mid-palate. The acidity adds just enough liveliness and the citrus zest leads to a lingering, warm pear and lush finish. Demonstrating an illustrious combination of yesterday and today, its fresh exuberance showcases layers of depth and complexity. $35 Our Price $28.99

2012 Gregory Graham Red Hills Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: The wine exhibits aromas of ripe plum and fig with highlights of chaparral spice, clove and dried herbs. The lively concentrated flavor bursts with ripe berries and sweet oak. This structured wine calls for full throttle fare such as grilled meats and game. $30 Our Price $25.69 (Back in stock)

Vinous 90 pts
Hartford Court 2015 Russian River Pinot Noir

The 2015 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) is a lovely appellation wine. Juicy, forward and delicious, the 2015 is everything one could ask for in an appellation level Pinot. Once again, the purity of the flavors is striking. $35 Our Price $29.99 (Delicious!)

Wine Advocate 96
2016 Hartford Family Winery Hartford Court Chardonnay Four Hearts Vineyard

Already in bottle, the 2016 Hartford Court Chardonnay Four Hearts Vineyard opens with lemon tart, pink grapefruit, pineapple and ripe apple notes with touches of nutmeg and croissant. Medium to full-bodied, rich and with a pleasantly oily texture, it delivers ripe tropical fruit flavors and a long, creamy finish. 1,600 cases were produced. $50 Our Price $39.99

James Suckling 93 Points
Laird Napa Valley Jillian's Blend 2013

A lively and fresh style for a Napa red with blackberries, blueberries and hints of citrus character. Medium to full body, firm tannins and a flavorful finish. A blend of cabernet sauvignon (60%), syrah (20%), merlot (14%), malbec (4%) and petit verdot (2%). Drink in 2018. $40

Wine Spectator 93
GRAHAM Tawny Port 20 Year Old NV

A complex and full-bore tawny, with deep, intense flavors of orange cream, glazed apricot, baked peach and roasted pineapple that are balanced by concentrated chocolate and toffee notes. The bright finish is filled with spice and supported by fresh acidity. Drink now. 25,000 cases made. –KM. Market Price $25-35/375ml. (Five 375ml bottles available at $27.99/bottle and two 750ml bottles available at $45.95/bottle)

Wine Advocate 93
2013 Puramun Malbec Uco Valley Reserva

If I liked the 2012, I liked the 2013 Malbec Reserva that I tasted a couple of weeks later even better. The profile is similar but it has the extra zip and freshness of the vintage. Nicely crafted and proportioned, it drinks well, but the oak is a little evident and should show better with little more time in bottle. Drink: 2016-2023. $30 Our Price $21.99

Vinous 91 Points: Bright ruby-red. Very ripe, slightly liqueur-like aromas of blackberry, boysenberry and chocolaty oak. Silky, fat and sweet; in a distinctly ripe style, offering terrific breadth to its redcurrant, raspberry and spice flavors. Spreads out to saturate the palate, burying the serious, ripe, glossy tannins under plush red berries and spices. Puramun is the first personal project of José (Pepé) Galante, who directed winemaking for decades at Catena Zapata and currently is winemaker at Bodegas Salentein. Drink: 2016-2020. $30

2014 Flora Springs Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: This fruit-forward Cabernet offers up lovely aromas of blackberry jam, dark plum and boysenberry with hints of toasted spice and dark chocolate. In the mouth, lush fruit is layered with notes of brown baking spices, vanilla, dark espresso bean along with traces of fresh sage and lavender. This is a warm, voluptuous Napa Valley Cabernet, packed with fruit but displaying a good balance of oak, tannin and acid. $40 Our Price $34.99 Limited

Wine Advocate 92
2013 Flora Springs • Cabernet Sauvignon Trilogy

Flora Springs was among the first Napa wineries to create a Bordeaux blend called Trilogy, and the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Trilogy is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 6% Malbec. Notes of sweet plum, licorice, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit jump from the glass of this dense, dark ruby/purple wine. It’s medium to full-bodied, with impressive purity and elegance. It’s meant to be an elegant take of Napa viticulture and they’ve pulled it off fabulously. This wine has excellent balance of all its component parts, and should continue to drink well for 15-20 years. $80 Our Price $59.99 Limited

Wine Spectator 94
ANTHEM Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard 2014

Offers wonderful richness and focuses on juicy, structured blackberry, cedar, anise and light loamy earth flavors. A very complete and compelling display of power and finesse, showing deft balance. Ends with a long, persistent finish that picks up anise and fresh dirt details. Drink now through 2034. 250 cases made. –JL $110 (Arrives 2/6/18) Please email stan@grapetray.com if you would like to be added to the pre-arrival list.

Wine Spectator 95
AUBERT Chardonnay Sonoma Coast Lauren 2012

Rich and graceful, with layers of anise, fig, apricot, pear and honeydew. This picks up a touch of smoke and hazelnut, ending with a long, sustained finish that reverberates with flavor. Drink now through 2021. 875 cases made. –JL Market Price $140-$250 (2 bottles available at $179.99/bottle)

Wine Advocate 94
1991 Graham • Vintage Port

Graham's 1991 Vintage Port gets my nod as the port of the vintage. While keeping in mind that Graham's aims for a sweeter-styled port, there is no doubting the opaque purple/black color, or the explosive nose of black fruits, licorice, spring flowers, and tar. Thick and full-bodied, with a satiny texture and a blockbuster, alcoholic finish, this is a top-notch vintage port. Market Price $55-$250 (4 bottles available at $84.99/bottle)


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