May 24th 2019 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

May 24th 2019 Newsletter

In Stock!
Wine Spectator 92
LUJON Cabernet Sauvignon
Walla Walla Valley 2016

Broad-shouldered yet agile, with expressive blackberry and cherry flavors accented by bay leaf and espresso notes, building richness toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2027. 602 cases made. — TF $25

Wine Spectator 90
RODNEY STRONG Chardonnay Chalk Hill 2016

Juicy and lusciously fruity, with roasted tropical fruit, apple pastry and pear tart flavors. Buttery and spicy accents show on the vibrant finish. Drink now through 2022. 63,750 cases made. — KM $22 Our Price $15.99

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

Wine Enthusiast 93
2016 Halter Ranch Estate Adelaida District Cabernet Sauvignon

This bottling, which includes 16% Malbec and 6% Petit Verdot, is a complete and cohesive wine that will satisfy many palates. Aromas of black cherry, dark plum and spice cake lead into a palate that's rich in a blackberry flavor. Polished tannins and fresh acidity frame it all. $40 Our Price $29.99 (Delicious)

Connoisseurs' Guide 92 Points
J Vineyards Brut Rose

Finding a place at the lighter end of the Rosé spectrum and, in fact, a wine that could easily pass for a Blanc de Noirs, this lightly yeasty version fixes on energetic, slightly juicy, young fruit as its main motif. It is briskly balanced, but its ample acidity enlivens without ever once seeming sharp, and it is wholly free of the astringency that marks its more vinous mates. $45 Our Price $34.95

Wine Spectator 92
CARLISLE Zinfandel Russian River Valley Piner-Olivet Ranches 2017

Dynamic and well-structured, with an intense core of boysenberry, dried sage and smoky sweet anise flavors, taking on power toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2026. 470 cases made. — TF $40

2016 Acacia Carneros Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: The 2016 Carneros Pinot Noir opens beautifully offering layers of red-fruit aromas; Bing cherry, cranberry, and sun-ripened raspberry. The aromas ring true on the silky textured palate where the juicy fruit core intermingles with baking spice, black tea, and wet stone minerality. The wine offers a fine balance with perfectly ripened Pinot Noir fruit and bright ‘Los Carneros’ acidity, underpinned by the carefully selected oak barrel regiment. This is a refined and elegant style of Pinot Noir offering a graceful and long-lasting finish. $22 Our Price $17.95

Graham Beck Brut Rose

Winemaker Notes: Pale silver-pink. Aromas of raspberries, cherries and a fewsecondary whiffs of minerality. A lively mousse but fine in themouth, with subtle red berry flavors enlivened by bright acids.Brisk on the palate, showing hints of oyster shell and freshlavender. Flirtatious and fun, yet elegant and structured, it'sperfect for all seasons and settings. $19 Our Price $13.95

Wine Spectator 90
CARLISLE Zinfandel Sonoma County 2017

Youthful and jammed with fruit, this offers appealing blackberry and licorice flavors that build toward briary tannins. Drink now through 2025. 770 cases made. — TF $30

Wine Spectator 91
BREWER-CLIFTON Chardonnay
Sta. Rita Hills 2016

Intense flavors of honeydew melon and pear tart dominate this supple white. The richly spiced finish shows some pastry notes. Drink now through 2022. 4,135 cases made. –KM $36 Our Price $29.99

2017 Bellenda San Fermo Prosecco Brut Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

Winemaker Notes: This delicate and slightly aromatic prosecco, obtained from the natural fermentation of the Glera grapes of the Conegliano hills. With a strong and fruity taste, compact foam, very fine and persistent bubbles. As an aperitif, it combines fish-based appetizer dishes, tuna carpaccio, swordfish carpaccio. Considered among the best sparkling wines in Italy $22 Our Price $18.99

Wine Advocate 95-97 Points
2017 Peter Michael Winery Pinot Noir le Caprice

A barrel sample, the 2017 Pinot Noir le Caprice is pale to medium ruby-purple and has an incredibly perfumed nose offering up an array of baking spices and incense over a core of black raspberries, kirsch and redcurrants with wafts of roses, pomegranate and dried Provence herbs. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with wonderfully ripe, silt-like tannins and great freshness supporting the intensely perfumed fruit, finishing long. 1,445 cases are expected to be produced. $135

Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points
2016 DAOU Vineyards Soul Of A Lion

Also bottled the week before this tasting, the 2016 Soul of a Lion includes more Cabernet Sauvignon than the 2014 and 2015 and is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot. It’s an incredible achievement and has sensational notes of crème de cassis, graphite, violets, and lead pencil shavings. Made in a pure California, pedal-to-the-metal style, with full body and loads of fruit, it stays balanced, has ultra-fine tannins, and a layered, seamless style that just glides over the palate. Don’t think Paso Robles can make world-class Cabernet Sauvignon? Try this wine. $135 Our Price $119.99

Wine Spectator 97
ROTEM & MOUNIR SAOUMA Châteauneuf-du-Pape Omnia 2016

Sublime, with a beguiling mouthfeel to the layers of cherry puree, steeped plum and warmed raspberry coulis fruit flavors, melded with rooibos tea, bergamot, incense and jasmine notes. The long finish features subtle minerality and remarkable persistence, seeming to move with grace. Best from 2021 through 2045.—J.M. 125 cases imported $107 (Arrives late summer 2019) Please email stan@grapetray.com



Back to Our Blog

Are you 21 years old, or older?

No