December 6th 2019 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

December 6th 2019 Newsletter

Wine Spectator 93
GOSSET Brut Rosé
Champagne Grand NV, Magnum

This vibrant rosé is tightly knit and racy, with a floral overtone and flavors of peach skin, white cherry, whole-grain toast and chalky mineral showing finely honed precision as they ride the creamy, detailed mousse. Disgorged May 2018. Drink now through 2024. 600 cases imported. — AN. Our Price $158/magnum

Wine Advocate 92
Pol Roger Brut Reserve

The latest rendition of Pol Roger's NV Brut Reserve is based on the 2013 vintage and incorporates 25% reserve wines from the 2012, 2011 and 2010 vintages. Disgorged six months ago, the wine wafts from the glass with an alluring bouquet of green apple, brioche, pastry cream and buttered toast. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, impressively layered and complete, with a crisp but fleshy core of fruit, a youthfully frothy mousse and bright acids, concluding with a delicately chalky finish. This is one of the very finest—as well as among the most consistent—non-vintage brut bottlings from any of the Grandes Marques, and this release comes very warmly recommended. While it will be drinkable on release, it will reward some bottle age too. $55 Our Price $44.95

Our Price $44.95

2018 Frank Family Carneros
Chardonnay, Magnum

Winemaker Notes: Hailing from acclaimed vineyard sites, the 2018 Carneros Chardonnay offers a creamy full body complemented by fresh, persistent acidity. Layers of yellow apple, lemon curd, baked pear, and toasted brioche lead to a balanced and lasting finish of vanilla and baking spice. $78/magnum. Our Price $66.99/magnum

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2017 Failla Platt Chardonnay

The 2017 Chardonnay Platt Vineyard is one of the more intense, powerful wines and is certainly one of my favorites in the lineup. Exotic orange blossom, orchard fruits, charcoal, and white flower notes give way to a medium-bodied, racy, vibrant Chardonnay that has good concentration and depth as well as length. This is classic Sonoma Coast Chardonnay! $59 Our Price $56.99

Wine Advocate 92
2016 Provenance Rutherford
Cabernet Sauvignon

Blended of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec and 0.5% Petit Verdot aged for 22 months in 35% new oak (95% French and 5% Hungarian), the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford sings of crushed red and blackcurrants, black berries and menthol with touches of fragrant earth, violets and black tea plus a waft of cigar box. Full, firm and grainy, the palate delivers plenty of harmony and depth with a long earthy finish. 16,525 cases produced. $60 Our Price $35.99

2017 Lucienne Pinot Noir Doctor's Vineyard

Winemaker Notes: A riper and more robust Pinot Noir, with layers of cherry and citrus fruits along with brown spice and tones of mushroom and earth. The wine’s balanced acidity and smooth tannins lead to a round, approachably soft mouthfeel and a lingering finish. $50 Our Price $39.99

James Suckling 92 Points
2016 Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

A firm and silky red with currant, blackberry and cherry character. Medium to full body. Savory finish. Juicy and reserved. Delicious and ready. Drink now. $20 Our Price $15.99 (Back in stock this afternoon)

2018 Caymus Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: This vintage features both richness and freshness coming together in an intriguing way. Fruit is luscious and integrated wood complements rather than defines the wine. Scents of cassis, blackberries and pomace fresh off the skins. The palate starts off broad and sleek, then broods with luxurious tannins expanding to a fine textural expression. Ripeness abounds with youthful vibrancy-fruit driven as Caymus is known, with overlay of French oak on the finish. $95 Our Price $79.95

2016 Stewart Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: This full-bodied, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon begins with notes of cardamom and cinnamon on the nose. Flavors of blueberry, blackcurrant, and blackberry are beautifully layered on the palate and lead into a unique, subtle hint of cumin. The finish is accented with flavors of mocha and is refined by the smooth French oak. Decant and drink now, or cellar through 2031. $60

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

Wine Advocate 95+
2013 Mas Doix Costers de Vinyes Velles

The wine that used to be the top of the range until the old-vine, single-vineyard Cariñena was released is the 2013 Doix Costers de Vinyes Velles. It is a phenomenal blend of 55% Cariñena and 45% Garnacha from very old vines planted on schist (llicorella) slopes in the village of Poboleda. Dark, almost opaque with a bright border, the nose is more about black fruit, peat, graphite and some shoe polish, with a generous dose of oak, a little raw (from youth) but with harmony and huge potential to develop. The bunches are hand-harvested and the grapes selected one by one in a double sorting table and fermented in stainless steel. The wine matured in new French oak barriques for 16 months, in a straightforward process, because what's important here is the quality of the grapes, mostly from centenary vines. There is great harmony in the palate, too, intense and penetrating without being aggressive, elegant and balanced in an XXL way. I see great freshness in these 2013s, one of the best vintages I've tried from Mas Doix. This should age forever. 5,500 bottles were filled in April 2015. $120 Our Price $101.95

Wine Advocate 95-97 points
2015 Doisy Daene Barsac

The 2015 Doisy-Daene has a detailed bouquet, very correct, nothing showy or flamboyant as is typical of Denis Dubourdieu's Barsac. The palate is extremely well balanced and very pure: citrus fruit infusing the honeyed botrytis, veins of white peach and quince, leading to a very precise and sustained finish that leaves you with a smile on your face...and the wine ain't even finished yet! Just a wonderful wine - full of class and nascent joie-de-vivre. Chapeau Denis!- $57 Our Price $46.95 (Arrives this afternoon)



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