December 27th 2018 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

December 27th 2018 Newsletter

Holiday Hours
Thursday, 12/27/18 10:30 AM-5:30 PM
Friday, 12/28/18 10:30 AM-5:30 PM
Saturday, 12/29/18 10:30 AM-4:00 PM
Sunday, 12/30/18 Closed
Monday, 12/31/18 10:30 AM-3:00 PM
Tuesday, 1/1/19 Happy New Year!
Wednesday, 1/2/19 Closed
Thursday, 1/3/19 10:30 AM-5:30 PM

James Suckling 92 Points
2015 Taken Proprietary Red

Dark plums, blackberries, licorice, chocolate, ripe stems, orange rind, hot stones, dust and coffee beans. Full-bodied with grippy tannins, some nice sweet-and-sour character, a fresh line of acidity and a medium chewy finish. A blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Drink in 2020. $38 Our Price $25.95

WOW-50% Off!
Wine Spectator 93
SPRING VALLEY Uriah
Walla Walla Valley 2013

Broad and expressive, playing red plum, black cherry and peppery spice flavors against lightly prickly tannins, coming together on the long and generous finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2017 through 2023. 3,178 cases made. –HS $50 Our Price $24.95

WOW-59% Off!
Wine Spectator 90
2013 Chateau Ste Michelle Indian Wells Merlot

Focused, with firm tannins on a pliable frame, supporting dark berry, licorice and chocolate flavors. Lingers deftly on the finish. Best from 2017 through 2021. 42,060 cases made. –HS$18 Our Price $7.45

Wine Spectator 95
VEUVE CLICQUOT Brut Champagne
La Grande Dame 2008

An elegant Champagne, powered by a sculpted frame of acidity and minerality, this wears the refined, lacy mousse and well-meshed flavors of black currant, lemon curd, toast and marzipan like finely tailored clothing. Fresh and lasting, with hints of spice and smoke on the finish. Disgorged August 2016. Drink now through 2033.–AN $150 Our Price $124.95

2017 Duckhorn Napa Sauvignon Blanc

Winemaker Notes: Enticing aromas of grapefruit, melon, and lime leap from the glass, followed by tropical notes of lychee, pineapple, and passionfruit. On the palate, this Sauvignon Blanc is juicy and bright, with silky layers of fruit balanced by lovely natural acidity and a vibrant streak of minerality. Hints of zesty citrus and subtle baking spices linger throughout a long, focused finish. Blend: 82% Sauvignon Blanc, 18% Semillon. $28 Our Price $22.95

Decanter 88 Points B+
Château Brondelle Graves Bordeaux 2015

Grippy tannins on the finish, but with a sense of purpose and they will soften nicely. Good lift of tight black fruits with a sprinkle of almond and coffee. Balance and potential; good value. $23 Our Price $17.95

Dom Gift Set with 2 bottles and 6 glasses
Wine Spectator 96
MOËT & CHANDON Brut Champagne Dom Pérignon 2009

There's a subtle power to this graceful Champagne, which boasts a firm, crystalline frame of acidity married to the fine, satinlike mousse and notes of white raspberry, brioche and Earl Grey tea. Seamless through to the long finish of smoke and spice accents, this opens beautifully in the glass. Drink now through 2029. –AN Our Price $334.95

Wine Advocate 95
2016 Walter Hansel Winery
Pinot Noir Cuvee Alyce

Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2016 Pinot Noir Cuvee Alyce leaps from the glass with gregarious black cherries, pomegranate and cranberry notes with touches of red roses, lavender and dried Provence herbs plus a waft of black soil. Medium to full-bodied with a firm frame of ripe, grainy tannins and great freshness, it is simply packed with taut fruit and finishes on a lingering mineral note. 896 cases produced. $45

James Suckling 92 Points
2014 Groth Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

Complex aromas of blackcurrants and blackberries with hints of stones and pine needles follow through to a full body, firm and round tannins and a flavorful finish. Needs time to come together. Try in 2019. $60 Our Price $38.95

2016 J. Lohr Hilltop Paso Robles Cabernet

Winemaker Notes: 2016 Hilltop Cabernet shows dark fruit, chocolate, graphite and anise on the nose. The palate is dense and soft at once with layers of mineral, sweet oak barrel and fresh savory notes. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc. $33 Our Price $26.75

Wine Spectator 93
HENRIOT Brut Rosé Champagne NV

A beautiful range of aromatic spices accents the white raspberry, pastry and pink grapefruit notes in this harmonious rosé . There's tension to the knit of vibrant acidity and chalky texture, driving this to a lasting, minerally finish. Drink now through 2020. 1,000 cases imported. –AN $70 Our Price $59.95

Wine Spectator 92
LAURENT-PERRIER Brut Rosé
Champagne Cuvée NV

Firm and finely knit, this offers richness in a sleek frame, with crushed raspberry, blood orange peel, smoke and toasted almond notes set on the satiny mousse. The finish echoes subtle saffron and spice accents. Drink now through 2022. 9,600 cases imported–AN $100. Our Price $66.99

Wine Advocate 96
2016 Paul Hobbs Chardonnay
Richard Dinner Vineyard

The 2016 Chardonnay Richard Dinner Vineyard comes charging out of the glass with super intense grapefruit, green mango, lime leaves and lemon curd scents plus touches of baking bread, coriander seed, crushed rocks and nutmeg. Full-bodied and laden with citrus and tropical fruit layers in the mouth, the palate has wonderful tension and a compelling oiliness to the texture, finishing very long with a mineral kick. 535 cases were made. $80

2017 Frank Family Carneros Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: Opens with aromas of cinnamon stick, cardamom, and fresh raspberries. The palate offers a soft, balanced structure framed by elegant tannins with flavors of cherry pie, violets, and baking spices followed by a long, decadent finish. $37 Our Price $31.99

2016 Three Sticks
Gap's Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: The influence of fog and wind on the iconic Gap’s Crown vineyard creates a site that produces world-class Pinot Noir with perfect balance of blue fruits and mouthwatering acidity. The nose of the 2016 Pinot Noir hints at its cooler origin, evoking fresh blackberry galette with undertones of hibiscus and red licorice. On the palate, the texture is inviting and bright, yet structured with silky tannins creating a wine that is built to age well. Our mix of Heritage and Dijon clones lend an elaborate blend to the wine, showing a blue/black fruit core with pipe tobacco spiciness. As evidenced by the beautiful balance and strength of this opulent Pinot, the Gap's Crown Vineyard shows how well Pinot Noir performs in some of these cooler areas of our county. $70 Our Price $59.99

GUILLAUME VRIGNAUD CHABLIS 2017

Winemaker Notes: This wine can be served as aperitif and combines well with cold or hot fish dishes, poultry in white sauce and veined cheeses. Characteristics: Pale yellow colour with lime tints. Citrus flavours mixed with white flower aromas. A touch of nervousness that highlights a fruity and balanced character. Potential Aging: 10 years Maturity: between 3 and 5 years. $32 Our Price $26.45

Wine Advocate 98+
2014 Shafer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select

Very deep inky-purple colored, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is incredibly intense and impactful on the nose, revealing notes of crushed black cherries, blackberries and fresh black currants with underlying notions of charcoal, sautéed herbs, black soil, chargrilled meat and pencil lead, plus a waft of violets. Very full-bodied, very rich and wonderfully concentrated, the wall of fruit is well matched by a firm structure of ripe, grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing with great length and depth. $300



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