July 23rd 2019 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

July 23rd 2019 Newsletter


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

2016 Beringer Luminus-Last Call at this price!
Oak Knoll District Napa Valley Chardonnay
Retail $39. Our Price $14.95

James Suckling 92 Points: Attractive freshness and gently flinty citrus fruits. Aromas of melon and hazelnut nougat follow and lead to a palate with lemon, grapefruit, grilled peaches and nectarines. Layered and textural. Some pithy grip to close. This has attractive freshness and composure. Drink now. $39

Wine Spectator 91 Points: Rich and plush, this has plenty of buttery notes to the ripe apple, pear and dried ginger flavors. Creamy finish. Drink now through 2020. 12,000 cases made. — KM $39

Wine Advocate 90
2017 Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone

The 100% Syrah 2017 Cotes du Rhone is a bargain superstar, offering hints of smoke, cracked pepper, blueberries and black olives. It's medium to full-bodied, with a long, supple finish. For the $20 (or less) I've seen it selling for, you're not going to find a better Syrah. $16 Our Price $12.95

Wine Spectator 90 Points
Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio
Vigneti delle Dolomiti 2017

This balanced, light-bodied white offers a lively mix of peach, passion fruit, floral and pink grapefruit zest notes, with tangy acidity and a floral finish. Drink now through 2021. From Italy. 25,800 cases made —Alison Napjus $16 Our Price $13.25

Back in stock and 5 cases left!
2014 Rosenblum Rockpile Zinfandel

Winemaker Notes: The power and grace of our Rockpile Road Zinfandel is a culmination of its unique climate, soil and pedigree. Bold, dark fruit, redolent with blueberries and boysenberry jam, shapes the core and establishes the masculine, mountain character of this high-elevation Zinfandel. Black pepper, cocoa and toasted oak spices weave through the multiple layers, joined by big, chewy tannins. Low yields in 2014 further enhanced concentrated flavors, delivering red fruit tones that lend elegance and promise good aging potential. From one of the great AVAs, our Rockpile Road Zinfandel packs a truckload of berries on the palate. Medium to full bodied, this a superb choice with barbecued pork ribs. $42 Our Price $10.95


Wine Advocate 90
2016 Ancient Peaks Santa Margarita Merlot

Wafting from the glass with notes of black cherries, cassis, fruitcake and mint, the 2016 Merlot from Ancient Peaks is full-bodied and velvety on the palate, with a generous core of savory fruit, powdery tannins and a long, flavorful finish. For the price, it's an incredible value. $20 Our Price $14.99

James Suckling 90 Points
2017 Raeburn Russian River Chardonnay

Bright and very primary on the nose with attractive, poached pears. The palate has a very neat and fresh array of pears and melon with a subtly chalky edge. $17 Our Price $13.95

Wine Spectator 93
JEAN GRIVOT Nuits-St.-Georges
 Les Charmois 2016

Cherry, plum, iron, tobacco and toast notes are the hallmarks of this polished, yet solid red. The tannins emerge as this builds to a long, resonant finish. All the elements are in the right proportions. Best from 2022 through 2038. 98 cases made. — BS $106 Our Price $77.99

2016 Twomey Russian River Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: Wild berry, mushroom, forest floor, white gardenia, coriander. Dark entry with a strong and bold touch, red clay-iron, cherry extract, coffee and root beer, with good viscosity and depth. $50 Our Price $44.99

Wine Advocate 94
2016 Hayfork Cabernet Sauvignon Lewelling Ranch

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Lewelling Ranch is a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot aged 20 months in 75% new French oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, it opens with exuberant red and black currants notions with hints of black truffles and rose hip tea plus fragrant earth, Chinese five spice, dried lavender and dusty soil. Big, full, rich and seductive, it has a plush frame of velvety tannins and wonderful energy, finishing long and spicy. 790 cases produced, to be released in the spring of 2019. $75 (Delicious)


Wine Advocate 95+
2016 Vice Versa Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

One-hundred percent Cabernet Sauvignon (coming from vineyards in St. Helena, Pritchard Hill and Yountville), aged 20 months in 65% new French oak, the deep purple-black colored 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is a little closed to begin, soon giving way to notions of blackcurrant cordial, plum preserves and blackberry compote with wafts of mocha, licorice and fertile loam plus hints of cedar chest, lavender and unsmoked tobacco. It's very big, rich and full in the mouth and chock-full of taut black fruit and earthy layers, supported by ripe, grainy tannins, finishing with epic length. 450 cases produced. $150


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