June 25th 2019 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

June 25th 2019 Newsletter

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 (Back in stock 6/26/19)

2017 Frank Family Chardonnay, 375ml

Winemaker Notes: Pale yellow straw color. Aromas of white flowers, stone fruit, lemon zest and a hint of vanilla, lead to a rich and enveloping palate of lychee fruit and toasted almonds, with bright, mouth-watering acidity. $20/375ml. Our Price $15.69/375ml (Arrives 6/27/19)

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points
2017 Morgan Metallico Monterey Chardonnay

The unoaked character of this wine does push it toward a Sauvignon Blanc style, but it works well in this vintage. Aromas of wet stone, grass, lemon blossom and honeysuckle lead into a chalky palate of lime balm, lanolin and a hint of sour cream. $23 Our Price $19.95

Wine Spectator 91
MORGAN Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands Highland 2017

Offers mouthfilling richness, with generous flavors of butterscotch, baked apple and glazed pear, accented by a twist of citrus zest. Spicy and toasty notes fill the finish. Drink now through 2023. 9,337 cases made.—K.M. $28 Our Price $23.99

91 points Jeb Dunnuck
KEUSH "ORIGINS" BRUT SPARKLING ARMENIA

The NV Keush Sparkling is a terrific wine, as well as a screaming value. Classy notes of white flowers, stone fruits, and obvious minerality flow to a ripe, textured, balanced sparkler that has way more depth, richness, and length than the price point would have you believe. Drink it over the coming year or two. 40% Khatoun Kharji, 60% Voskehat. $25 Our Price $19.95 (Arrives this afternoon)

Producer Notes: This unique sparkling wine comes from the Vayodz Dzor region of Armenia where the soil is predominantly limestone and volcanic rock. It is a blend of Khatoun Kharji and Voskehat, two indigenous Armenian grape varieties and made in the Champagne method with secondary fermentation in bottle and 18 months aging on the lees. It is an elegant sparkler with notes of lemon, golden apple and pear accented by white tea and jasmine. A creamy mousse and dry, mineral-laced finished makes this perfect for and special occasion.

Zinfandel Chronicles rating: 94 points
2016 Bruce Patch Zinfandel Harris Kratka Vineyard

Crimson in color. Harris Kratka Vineyard is in the Chalk Hill AVA near Healdsburg. Perfumed nose of brambly red fruits, licorice, flowers and pepper. Medium to full bodied with acidity in spades. Fresh, bright and silky. Cherries, raspberry compote, salmonberry and earth on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. The best Zinfandel I have had from Bruce Patch. Drink over the next 2-4 years. 15.5% ABV. 85% Zinfandel, 10 Carignane and 5% Petite Sirah. $35 Our Price $19.95

Wine Spectator 92
RIDGE Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains Estate 2017

A big, rich and showy white, filled with spicy notes to the ripe apple, pear and wild herb flavors. Minerally and buttery accents emerge on the contoured finish. Drink now through 2024.—K.M. $55 Our Price $49.99

Wine Spectator 93
RED STITCH Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands
Sierra Mar Vineyard 2017

The concentrated pear tart and apple pastry flavors are well-structured and graceful, with plenty of cream and meringue accents. Rich buttery notes emerge on the powerful finish, revealing dried herbal and smoky hints. Drink now through 2024.—K.M 200 cases made $50

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

Wine Enthusiast 90
2016 Abeja Chardonnay

This wine brings crystal clear aromas of candy corn, summer squash, clarified butter, spice and whiffs of tropical fruit. The palate is elegant in style, showing nuance and detail to the straw flavors that lead to a warm finish. $39 Our Price $30.95

Wine Advocate 92
2014 Abeja Columbia Valley Cabernet

The 2014 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is Abeja's largest cuvée by some margin, and it's an attractive wine, revealing notes of cassis, blackberries, rich soil, espresso roast and a judicious framing of new oak. On the palate, it's medium-bodied and nicely balanced, with good depth at the core, fine structuring tannins and a long, savory finish. In fact, I suspect it may prove longer lived than the flashier Heather Hill bottlings from the Walla Walla Valley. $55 Our Price $45.95

2018 Kinero Alice Grenache Blanc

Winemaker Notes: Fresh and lively, this beauty offers aromas of stone fruit, honeydew melon, balsam fir, and white rose. The mineral-laced palate pulses with flavors of Meyer lemon, quince, and botanicals, while the finish perfectly balances richness and tension. Fermented and aged for 4 months in concrete tanks. $25 (Arrives 6/26/19)

Wine Advocate 93
2015 Hall Winery Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon offers an earthy/savory nose with notes of fertile loam, tree bark and smoked meat over a cassis and black cherry core with touches of roses and menthol. The full-bodied palate delivers great expression and plenty of character, supported by chewy tannins and finishing on a savory note. $60. Our Price $49.99

Wine Spectator 92
TAMBER BEY Cabernet Sauvignon Yountville Deux Chevaux Vineyard 2016

Fleshy and dark in profile, with warmed fig and black currant compote flavors leading the way. Offers ample toast and cocoa notes on the finish, but delivers abundant fruit and solid drive. Best from 2020 through 2030. 1,500 cases made. –JM $60 Our Price $50.99

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

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
2016 Fait Main Teeter Totter Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Readers looking for value in Napa Valley should snatch up the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon as it will easily compete with wine that costs 3-4 times its going rate. Made from mostly Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from throughout the valley, this beauty boasts a saturated purple color as well as a classic bouquet of crème de cassis, licorice, toasted spices, and tobacco. Deep, full-bodied, and powerful, it still has the class and purity of the 2016 vintage front and center. It's a no-brainer to enjoy over the coming decade. $65 (Back in stock)

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 94 pts
2014 Yount Ridge Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is gorgeous. Warm, resonant and inviting, the 2014 offers lovely depth and texture. Ripe red cherry, plum, cedar, espresso and sweet spice notes all fuse together. Sumptuous and racy, the 2014 is a super-expressive, delicious Cabernet Sauvignon. There is a lot to like. Drink 2020 – 2030. $98



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