May 21st 2019 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

May 21st 2019 Newsletter

We will be closed on Memorial Day, 5/27/19

James Suckling 90 Points
Pecchenino Dogliani San Luigi 2017

Roasted herbs, elderberry pie and spices. Full-bodied with plenty of fruit-compote flavors and a fruity finish. $18 Our Price $14.99

Marenco Strev Moscato d'Asti 2018

Straw yellow with intense aromas of citrus, apricot, fig and orange blossom; taste is pleasantly sweet and aromatic like the Moscato grapes it comes from. $15 Our Price $11.99

James Suckling 92 Points
Fattoria del Cerro Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2015

Aromas of licorice and dark berries with hints of spices and cherries. Full body, tight and mildly chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Drink or hold. Better in 2020. $20 Our Price $15.99

2016 Inkberry Mountain Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Deep ruby with a vibrant purple edge. Ripe stewed plums on nose, with a touch prunes. Full bodied with ripe plums, sweet cassis fruits; juicy ripe mid palate sweetness, subtle oak adds texture and weight, fine, persistent tannins give the wine structure and length. $15 Liquidation Price $7.75 (Limited to stock on hand)

Wine Advocate 92
2015 Galerie Pleinair Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Very deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Pleinair Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon delivers pronounced baked berries, prunes and warm black currant cordial notes with touches of baking spices, olives and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied, it has concentrated baked black berry and savory layers with soft, velvety tannins and balanced freshness, finishing on a spicy note. 1,540 cases produced. $60 Our Price $49.95 (Arrives this afternoon)

Wine Spectator 92
HERÈNCIA ALTÉS Terra Alta L'Estel 2016

This firm red delivers mineral and sanguine notes that frame a core of plum and licorice flavors, revealing a balance of savory and fruity character. Shows depth, with well-integrated tannins and balsamic acidity. Drink now through 2026. 672 cases imported.—T.M. $20 Our Price $16.99

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 95 pts
Martinelli 2015 Chardonnay Charles Ranch Fort Ross Seaview, Sonoma Coast

The 2015 Chardonnay Charles Ranch boasts tremendous aromatic intensity and brightness to play off the rich, layered fruit. Wonderfully complete and harmonious, the Charles Ranch is a wine that brings together striking perfume, a classic, rich expression of Martinelli fruit and silky, plush texture. At the same time, there is a palpable sense of translucence and underlying minerality that convey elegance. Time in the glass only brings out the wine's pedigree further. What a gorgeous wine this is. Drinking window: 2018 – 2025. $58 (Arrives 5/24/19)

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 95 pts
Gros Ventre 2016 Pinot Noir
Campbell Ranch Sonoma Coast

The 2016 Pinot Noir Campbell Ranch is a dark, brooding wine. Blue/purplish fruit, lavender and spice notes are pushed forward. There is a good bit of up-front fruit and overall intensity, but the 2016 could use another year or two in bottle to allow the tannins to soften. Even so, this Campbell Ranch is quite attractive. It is also one of the most compelling wines in a superb lineup from Chris Pittenger. $58 (Arrives 5/24/19)

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 94 pts
Martinelli 2017 Pinot Noir Bondi Home Ranch Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Sonoma

Dark cherry, plum, cola, spice, menthol and leather all race through the 2017 Pinot Noir Bondi Home Ranch. Juicy and supple, with striking fruit depth, the 2017 will be easy to drink and enjoy young. This is another gorgeous, highly pleasing wine from the Martinelli family, and also one of the more overt wines in the range. $68 (Arrives 5/24/19)

Wine Spectator 93
BEDROCK Zinfandel California Old Vine 2017

Old-school meets new in this Zinfandel, with just enough polish and plumpness to match the briary rusticity. Offers expressive black cherry, smoky anise and white pepper flavors. Drink now through 2024.—T.F $25

Wine Spectator 90
HENRIOT Brut Rosé Champagne NV, Magnum

A firm and creamy rosé Champagne, with rich pastry cream and sweet brioche notes followed by candied grapefruit peel, white peach and smoke accents. Offers a clean-cut, mouthwatering finish. Drink now. 1,200 cases imported. –AN $165/magnum. Our Price $140.99/magnum

2017 Champalou Vouvray

Notes from Anthony Lynch: It’s hard to believe that nearly thirty-five years have passed since we first began importing Didier and Catherine Champalou’s wines. Few producers in the wine world boast such a consistent record, where each release is an honest and reliable ambassador to an appellation, a grape, and an entire region. The Champalous are masters of Loire Chenin Blanc, producing Vouvray in all styles; this still, dry rendition, aged in stainless steel, represents their flagship cuvée. Gentle and refreshing on the palate, it boasts a delightful balance of stony minerality with luscious, almost honeyed fruit and flowery notes, making for a great apéritif or easy pairing with all sorts of dishes. Didier and Catherine love to cook, and they will often produce an aged bottle or two to serve with a creation from the home kitchen. Best of all, their daughter Céline has joined the domaine, so we can hope for another thirty-five years—at least!—of delicious, terroir-driven Vouvray crafted with heart and soul. $20 Our Price $16.99 (Arrives 5/22/19)

 Decanter 96 Points
2016 Montonale Lugana Orestilla

Amalfi lemon zest, honeysuckle and lemon cream shine on the expressive nose. Creamy and velvety in texture, the palate shows toasty almond, straw and elderberry. A rich style, mineral driven with a very long finish. $40 Our Price $27.99

Wine Advocate 96
2015 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon
Helena Montana Vineyard

Very deep purple-black in color, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana Vineyard gives up notes of coffee grounds, chocolate box and warm blueberries with hints of black currant cordial and blackberry pie, plus touches of tar and black soil. Medium-bodied and totally laden with tightly packed fruit layers and great tension, it has a very firm frame of grainy tannins and epic length. 847 cases produced. $150 Our Price $119.99



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