September 27th 2019 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

September 27th 2019 Newsletter

Wine Spectator 91
2016 Bookwalter Readers Cabernet Sauvignon

Shows structure and presence, with refined blackberry, black tea and stony mineral notes that build toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2026. 5,670 cases made. $28 Our Price $19.95 (Arrives 10/2/19)

Wine Spectator 95
PAHLMEYER Chardonnay Napa Valley 2017

Unctuous, featuring succulent flavors of pear tart, dried tropical fruits, quince jelly and apple pastry, loaded with cream and spice details. The long finish is filled with light buttery accents and hints of hazelnut. Drink now through 2025. From California.—K.M. $80

Back in stock!
Vinous 90 Points
2017 Berne Selection
 Côtes de Provence Rosé Emotion

Light bright onion skin. Fresh strawberry, orange zest and pungent flowers on the highly perfumed nose. Juicy citrus fruit and red berry flavors are accompanied by an exotic touch of lemongrass. Finishes long, taut and precise, delivering vibrant mineral cut and a building floral note. Drinking window: 2018 – 2021. $22 Our Price $2.95 (Great Value)

Wine Advocate 93
2015 Secret Indulgence Tarot
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Blended of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller portions of Petit Sirah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2015 Tarot Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep garnet-purple color and exuberant nose of warm plums, crushed cherries and crème de cassis with touches of Indian spices, fragrant earth and violets with a waft of lavender. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, it fills the palate with black berry and earthy layers, finishing with the lovely velvety texture paving the way. $45 (Back in stock)

Wine Spectator 94
CARPINETO Chianti Classico Riserva 2015

Smells like a little Cabernet Sauvignon enhancing the Sangiovese in this black currant– and cherry-flavored red (but it's actually Canaiolo, with a bit of Mammolo and Colorino). Cedar, thyme, iron and sanguine notes round out the palate as this cruises to a lingering aftertaste. Shows excellent structure and balance. Best from 2020 through 2035. 17,800 cases made, 5,000 cases imported. — BS $28 Our Price $23.95

Wine Spectator 90
DASHWOOD Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2018

Toasted herb and saline accents add richness and a savory element to the supple mango, peach and pineapple flavors, showing off plenty of polish and intensity. Refreshing finish. Drink now. 80,000 cases made, 30,000 cases imported. — MW $15 Our Price $9.65

2016 Herb Lamb Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: The 2016 vintage was a remarkable one for the Napa Valley, and perhaps the best vintage that we have ever produced. Winemaker Michael Trujillo is passionate about this vintage. The aromatics are remarkable and continue to shine and develop in the bottle, with fruit that jumps out of the glass. The wine was not fined, but only lightly filtered, showing off the rich, juicy red fruit of black cherry, Mexican spices, Baker chocolate and forest floor characteristics of the hillside Herb Lamb Vineyard. This wine shows amazing depth, concentration and elegance, and is definitely cellar worthy. 100% Cabernet. $225 (Limited)

Wine Advocate 93
2016 Joseph Phelps Napa
Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is made up of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc aged for 18 months in 48% new French and American oak and bottled in May/June of 2018. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sings of crushed blackcurrants, blackberry pie and blueberry compote with suggestions of cigar box, menthol, rose hip tea and baking spices. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with vibrant black fruit laced with plenty of spicy sparks, framed by grainy tannins and oodles of freshness and finishing long with a menthol kick. $80 Our Price $63.95 (Delicious) Back in stock 10/1/19

2017 Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Winemaker Notes: A classic expression of hillside Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, this luxurious wine displays concentrated aromas of ripe black cherry, cassis and dark chocolate, along with oak-inspired notes of espresso, cinnamon, clove and cigar box. On the supple, mouth-filling palate, elegantly refined tannins underscore the rich dark berry and blackcurrant flavors, with hints of nutmeg, anise and cedar adding sophistication to the long, voluptuous finish. $77 Our Price $66.99

2015 Checkerboard Aurora Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: A classic vintage... 2015 Checkerboard Aurora Vineyard is expansive and generous. It offers a luscious interpretation of its site and the vintage. Aromas are both sweet and savory, broadly expressive of fresh Blackberries, Bing Cherries, Cranberries, and dried Herbs. On the palate, 2015 Checkerboard Aurora is structured and offers finely polished tannins with a full mid-palate that is lifted by natural acidity and enhanced in a lengthy, lingering finish. In its youth, the 2015 vintage benefits from decanting prior to serving. $325 (Delicious)

Wine Advocate 95
2015 Roy Estate Proprietary Red Estate

Composed mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon (64%) with smaller parts of Merlot (21%) and Petit Verdot (15%), the 2015 Proprietary Red Estate gives a deep garnet-purple color and nose of crushed blackberries and warm black cherries with touches of Provence herbs, charcuterie and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, the palate offers up expressive red and black fruit preserves with appealing herbal and savory accents, framed by grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a minty note. 614 cases produced. $240 (Arrives 10/10/19)

Wine Advocate 94+
2015 Roy Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

Containing splashes of Merlot and Petit Verdot and aged for 27 months in 100% new 225-liter Taransaud French oak barrels, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is very deep garnet-black in color and opens with slightly closed notes of warm cassis, mincemeat pie, Black Forest cake and mulberries with touches of sandalwood, dark chocolate and fragrant earth. Full, rich and spicy in the mouth, it has a firm backbone of chewy tannins and a lively line lifting the long, decadent finish. 600 cases produced. $270 (Arrives 10/10/19)

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Pts
2016 PULIDO-WALKER Panek Vineyard Cabernet

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard comes from a site in St. Helena and offers a darker, savory style as well as plenty of blue fruits, violets, tobacco, and damp earth. With bright acidity, a silky, elegant texture, and terrific purity, it's a more vibrant, juicier, fresher wine than the Melanson Vineyard. Give bottle 2-4 years and drink over the following two decades. $225

Wine Advocate 95
2016 Plumpjack Estate Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec, the deep purple-black colored 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate reveals lovely, open-knit, youthful cassis, crushed black plums and black cherries scents with hints of rose hip tea, chocolate box, lavender, tobacco leaf and redcurrant jelly. The full-bodied, vibrantly fruited palate beautifully offsets the rich black fruits with red fruit and herbal sparks plus tons of freshness, finishing with a wonderfully plush texture blanketing the fruit right through the long finish. $140 (Arrives 10/1/19)


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