January 31st 2020 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

January 31st 2020 Newsletter

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 93 pts
2016 Meyney Saint Estèphe, Bordeaux

The 2016 Meyney is a bold, powerful wine. Tobacco, menthol, chocolate, spice and torrefaction notes all add shades of darkness. Meyney is potent and quite broad in feel, and yet everything is very nicely balanced. Although not especially subtle, Meyney delivers the goods, and then some. Our Price $40.25

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 94+ pts
Kamen 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is racy, powerful and explosive, as the wines always are. Dark red cherry jam, iron, cedar, tobacco, smoke and rose petal all race out of the glass as this inky, plush Cabernet Sauvignon shows off its curves. Even though it is made in a rich, super-concentrated style, the Kamen Cabernet Sauvignon typically needs the better part of a decade to be at its very best. What a wine. $95

Wine Advocate 92
2015 Galerie Pleinair Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Very deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Pleinair Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon delivers pronounced baked berries, prunes and warm black currant cordial notes with touches of baking spices, olives and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied, it has concentrated baked black berry and savory layers with soft, velvety tannins and balanced freshness, finishing on a spicy note. 1,540 cases produced. $60 Our Price $49.95

Wine Advocate 94+
2017 Ilaria Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is made up of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 7% Cabernet Franc and 7% Merlot aged 22 months in 75% new French oak. Deep purple-black in color, it gives up expressive notes of baked blackcurrants, blackberry pie and spice cake with hints of licorice, tobacco and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, rich and spicy in the mouth, it has a solid backbone of ripe, grainy tannins and background freshness, finishing on a compelling black tea note. 560 cases made. $50

Wine Spectator 92
2017 ALMA DE CATTLEYA Sonoma County Red

A handsome red, well-built and polished, with expressive blackberry, peppered meat and licorice notes that gather richness toward refined tannins. Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2028. 268 cases made.—Tim Fish. $26

James Suckling 91 Points
2017 Jermann Pinot Grigio

A very attractive and distinctive pinot grigio that is brimming with apple and raisin aromas. Juicy and elegant palate with a long, uplifting, fresh finish. Very food friendly. Drink now. Screw cap. $23 Our Price $18.99

Wine Advocate 95
2017 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Hyde Vineyard

Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2017 Pinot Noir Hyde Vineyard sings of ripe cranberries, kirsch and black raspberries with hints of rhubarb, underbrush, spice cake and fragrant soil. Medium to full-bodied, it has a wonderfully soft texture and tons of bold red berry layers, extending to a long, compelling finish with a touch of minerality. 1,015 cases produced, to be released in March 2019. $97 Our Price $84.99

Wine Spectator 95
FEL Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Savoy Vineyard 2017

Unctuous and ripe flavors of dark plum, cassis and cherry tart are filled with crunchy acidity and supported by fine-grained tannins. Creamy midpalate, with a long, plush and well-spiced finish that is loaded with sanguine richness. Drink now through 2025. 396 cases made. — KM $70 (Arrives this afternoon) Limited

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
2016 Hayfork Field Select Napa
Cabernet Sauvignon

It’s a blockbuster that still shows the elegance and finesse that are common from this site. Notes of crème de cassis, graphite, blueberries, and a vibrant floral character all develop with time in the glass, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, perfect balance, silky tannins, and a great, great finish. It’s another thrilling wine from Haley Wight that can be drunk today or cellared for two decades or more. $125 Limited

Wine Spectator 95
RED STITCH Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2015

A real head-turner, ultrarich and powerful, sharply focused, deftly balanced, ending with a mouthcoating mix of black licorice, fresh herb and earth, and cedary oak notes. Best from 2020 through 2035. 300 cases made. — JL $105 (Arrives 2/4/20)


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