February 6th, 2018 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

February 6th, 2018 Newsletter

Wine Spectator 93
PATRICIA GREEN Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge Old Vine 2015, Half Bottles

Expressive and beautifully built, with raspberry and rose petal aromas and plush, structured flavors of cherry, spiced cinnamon and dark tea that build power. Shows a slight bite of tannins toward the finish. Drink now through 2023. 1,055 cases made. –TF $25/375ml. Our Price $21.29/375ml (Arrives 2/7/18)



2016 Duckhorn Napa Sauvignon Blanc

Winemaker Notes: Alluring aromas of lychee, pineapple cake, and nectarine leap from the glass, along with zesty notes of grapefruit and lime. On the palate, this beautifully structured wine strikes a seamless balance between its rich, silky texture and the crisp acidity that adds poise and freshness to the abundant layers of bright citrus fruit. Blend: 84% Sauvignon Blanc, 16% Semillon. $30 Our Price $22.95



2014 Sinor LaVallee SLO Pinot Noir

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

Wine Spectator 90
GREY STACK Sauvignon Blanc Bennett Valley Rosemary's Block Dry Stack Vineyard 2016

Juicy and succulent, highlighting lemongrass, lemon and peach flavors, with aromatic notes of marmalade and spice lingering on the long, expressive finish. Drink now. 550 cases made. –MW $30 (Back in stock 2/9/18)

2016 Lewis Reserve Chardonnay Napa Valley

Winemaker Notes: Our 2016 Reserve Chardonnay is a classic. Perfumed, layered and leesy with green pear, pistache and brioche the mouthfeel is lustrous and elevated, with flashes of flinty mineral. Great depth of character, opulent yet restrained with incredible length and precision on the finish. $75 (Arrives 2/14/18)

2015 Vice Versa Le Petit Vice Napa Cabernet

Winemaker Notes: Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from acclaimed vineyards in the Napa Valley, the 2015 Le Petit Vice is a true testament to the 2015 vintage; full-bodied, layered and refined. Offering complex aromatics of plum, red cherry and cassis, with subtle hints of licorice, black tea and thyme. It's rich mouthfeel excites the palate while maintaining a beautiful balance of ripe fruit and acidity. With integrated fine tannins, the 2015 Le Petit Vice rolls like a wave into a seemingly never-ending finish. This is a wine to treasure and share for years to come. $75 (Back in stock 2/9/18)

Wine Advocate 95
2014 Long Shadows Pedestal Merlot

I loved the 2014 Pedestal Merlot and it’s 81% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. It offers a downright voluptuous and incredibly sexy style in its ripe blackcurrants, toasted spice, chocolate and licorice aromas and flavors. Broad, expansive, layered and pleasure bent, with ripe tannin, it's a knockout Merlot that's going to have 10-15 years of drinkability. $65 Our Price $56.95

Wine Spectator 92
RIDGE Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains Estate 2015

Minerally and intense, with plenty of buttery notes, this well-spiced version pivots around a core of baked apple and pear tart flavors. Fresh and juicy midpalate, followed by a finish loaded with dried fig accents. Drink now through 2022. 1,711 cases made. –KM $65 Our Price $49.99

Wine Advocate 93+
2013 Long Shadows Chester Kidder

Made by Gilles Nicault, the 2013 Chester Kidder (58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Syrah, 5% Petit Verdot and the rest Cabernet Franc) sports an inky color as well as rich, serious notes of blackcurrants, scorched earth and chocolate. Deep, rich and concentrated, with beautiful purity and fine tannin, it's going to need forgotten for at least 2-3 years. $55 Our Price $52.99 Limited

2014 Bon Anno Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: A deep ruby red, this seductive Cab shows classic Cabernet Sauvignon aromas of spice and sage followed by a mix of blueberries and blackberries with fresh raspberry notes. With a nice balance of acid and well integrated tannins, this wine is smooth, supple and sleek in the mouth: it is well balanced across the palate showcasing flavors of dark fruit, currants and hints of mineral and anise. $24 Our Price $21.39 (Back in stock 2/9/18)

2015 Lewis Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: From the outstanding 2015 vintage our Reserve Cabernet is powerfully seductive, brilliant and black in hue with kirsch-like crushed berries and showy cedar spice. Ripe, hi-tone fruit aromas are laced with candlewax, clove and cocoa. Expansive, with tiers of black fruit and velvety texture, the palate builds depth and power culminating in a muscular, long finish with supple young tannins. $175 (Arrives 2/14/18)

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 this afternoon)

Wine Advocate 96
2013 Saxum • Syrah Broken Stones

Incorporating more Petite Sirah than normal, and the first time there's been less than 50% Syrah, the 2013 Syrah Broken Stones is made from 48% Syrah, 22% Petite Sirah, 17% Grenache, 6% Mourvedre the rest Tempranillo and Roussanne. Its deep, inky color is followed by a structured, seriously mineral-laced and full-bodied red that offers lots of fruit (cassis, black cherries and raspberries), smoked earth and chocolate aromas and flavors. The tannin is front and center, yet they're beautifully ripe and polished. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy through 2028. Market $104-$195 (We are selling 2 bottles for a local collector at $115/bottle. Please email stan@grapetray.com)

Jeb Dunnuck 100 Points
2015 Bevan Cellars Sugarloaf Mountain Proprietary Red

Another perfect wine from Bevan is the 2015 Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard Proprietary Red Wine, a Cheval Blanc-like blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot brought up all in French oak. This huge, full-bodied, opulent 2015 carries itself like a ballerina - elegant, weightless and even graceful, with remarkable purity of fruit. Currants, blueberries, liquid violets, Asian spices and a distinct minerality all emerge from the glass and it has both incredible complexity and richness. Bravo! $200


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