March 26th, 2019 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

March 26th, 2019 Newsletter

Wine Advocate 91
2016 Hartford Court Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley

Medium ruby-purple colored, the 2016 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Russian River Valley reveals lovely crushed black cherries, mulberries and black raspberries notions with hints of candied violets, black soil and iron ore plus a waft of bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the palate with black fruit and earthy accents supported by a firm frame of finely grained tannins and finishes with a refreshing lift. 7,500 cases produced. $40 Our Price $29.99

Wine Spectator 90
2016 Sanford Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay

Focused and minerally tasting, with subtle toasty notes to the pear tart, baked apple and dried tropical fruit flavors, supported by fresh acidity. Offers a long, spicy finish. Drink now through 2022. $29 Our Price $23.45

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points
2016 Ancient Peaks Paso Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is a terrific value and is 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot, and the rest Petite Sirah. It has a Bordeaux-ish bouquet of new saddle leather, cedarwood, tobacco leaf, and smoky black fruits as well as medium body, plenty of fruit, sweet tannins, and a good finish. It’s not going to make old bones, but it has serious character, and I’d happily drink bottles over the coming 4-6 years. $20 Our Price $16.49

2017 San Simeon Monterey Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: San Simeon Pinot Noir is a rich, fruit-driven wine with ripe flavors of strawberry and raspberry. The mouth is soft and round with a lingering finish. Aromas of bright red fruit, cinnamon, and oak spice are revealed on the fragrant nose. $25 Our Price $19.95

Wine Spectator 93
DOW Tawny Port 20 Year Old NV

Juicy and lively in feel, with flan, date, persimmon and caramel notes weaving around each other, backed by a racy bitter almond accent on the finish. There's lots to like here. Drink now. 8,000 cases made. –JM $68 Our Price $50.95

2018 Domaine du Dragon
Cotes du Provence Rose Grande Cuvee

Winemaker Notes: TASTING IMPRESSIONS: Delicate pink color. Strawberries and light pepper. Textured and fruity, with flavors of red plums, lemon zest, raspberries. PAIRING SUGGESTIONS: Sweet/spicy Asian cuisines; barbecue. $20 Our Price $15.99

Wine Advocate 93
2016 Venge Vineyards Scout's Honor

The 2016 Scout's Honor is blended of 70% Zinfandel, 14% Charbono, 9% Petite Sirah and 7% Syrah. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it offers up baked raspberries, fruitcake, dusty soil and Chinese five spice scents with touches of tobacco and potpourri. Full-bodied with a velvety texture and loads of spice-laced berry preserves flavors, it finishes long and opulent. $38 Our Price $35.99 (Back in stock)

2018 Domaine de Figueirasse Vin des Sables Gris de Gris ROSE

Winemaker Notes: Wine typical of the "Vin des Sables" appellation, with a pale salmon colour, great aromatic finesse, supple and round on the palate. It can accompany any summer meal, but very much appreciates exotic cuisine with spicy flavours. We also recommend serving as an aperitif with a selection of tapas. Varieties : Grenaches Gris, Noirs and Blancs, Cinsault. Aromas : Citrus, floral. $14 Our Price $10.99

Wine Spectator 95
POGGIO AL TESORO Bolgheri Superiore Sondraia 2015

Black currant, plum, herb, thyme and sweet spice aromas and flavors mesh seamlessly with the tight matrix of tannins in this expressive, complex red. Shows harmony, depth and length, but needs time to integrate. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2021 through 2036. 1,000 cases imported. –BS $85 Our Price $64.99

Wine Spectator 94
ANNE & HERVÉ SIGAUT Chambolle-Musigny Les Sentiers Vieilles Vignes 2016

Intense and smoky, with spicy oak wrapping around a core of black cherry and blackberry flavors. Shows a textural density and fluidity that plays out on the long finish. Best from 2023 through 2043. 40 cases imported. –BS $110 Our Price $86.95

2015 PONT NEUF “LE BRUANT"
 PINOT NOIR Russian River

Winemaker Notes: “Le Bruant” is named for our village in the Haute Côte de Nuits of Burgundy, less than a dozen houses gathered around a source which brought delicious water all the way from the Alps. It comes from the gently sloping hills of Goldridge soil in the Martinelli Zio Tony Vineyard where the summer mornings are often foggy. The landscape is gentle and quiet and produces wonderfully elegant pinot noir. The flavors, however, take us back to the hills above Burgundy where the locals hunt pheasant and wild boar and produce the best cassis. “Le Bruant” is the perfect combination of rustic backcountry flavors and the refinement unique to pinot noir. The wine is brilliant ruby and red-violet, in spite of being un-filtered. Sweetly perfumed aromas of Huckleberry and Pomegranate mix with earthy forest floor and intensely pure red fruit flavors. The fine balance of acid and ripe fruit keeps it lively on the palate carrying the flavors to a lingering finish. We recommend decanting at this early stage of development. 50 cases produced. $75

Wine Spectator 92
GEORG ALBRECHT SCHNEIDER Riesling Spätlese Rheinhessen Niersteiner Hipping 2015

Laced with pink grapefruit and peach flavors, this white is sleek and taut, with vivid acidity stretching the finish. Brown spice and slate accents emerge there, along with a lip-smacking feel. Drink now through 2035. 1,000 cases made. –BS $17 Our Price $12.55

Wine Advocate 97
2015 Arkenstone Proprietary Red Estate

This estate blend from Howell Mountain was formerly known as “Obsidian.” Composed of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot and 4% Malbec, the 2015 Proprietary Red Estate gives a deep garnet-purple color and aromas of spiced blackberries, fruitcake and plum pudding with suggestions of Indian spices, earth and underbrush, plus a touch of violets. Packed with rich, opulent fruit in the full-bodied mouth, it has a solid, fine-grained backbone and plenty of freshness, finishing long and multilayered. 500 cases were made. $175


Back to Our Blog

Are you 21 years old, or older?

No