March 31st, 2020 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

March 31st, 2020 Newsletter

WOW-Discounted 50%
2018 Babcock Santa Barbara Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: In 2018 we returned to a Santa Barbara County appellation for our flagship Chardonnay. At bottling the wine has a very tightly knit structure. Aromatically, the minerally apple/pear fruit is a bit like a baby Top Cream minus the new French Oak. On the palate, that fruit is launched by a bracing acidity which ushers in a mouthwatering effect all the way through the uber-long finish. $30 Our Price $14.95

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points
The Paring Red Blend 2015

The 2015 Red Wine is the Bordeaux blend of the estate and is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Merlot and Petit Verdot, all from declassified Jonata lots. Its deep, inky purple color is followed by a rich, powerful wine that's loaded with notions of blackcurrants, unsmoked tobacco, graphite, and crushed rocks. With background oak, full body, ripe yet present tannins, and a great finish, it's going to keep for at least 7-8 years. $25 (Arrives 4/1/20)

Wine Spectator 92
SPARKMAN Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley Holler 2017

Refined and well-built, with expressive black cherry, espresso and herbes de Provence flavors that pick up richness on the way to polished tannins. Drink now through 2029. 2,174 cases made.—T.F. $32 Our Price $25.99 (Arrives 4/1/20)

Our retail door will be closed, but orders can still be placed as follows:
Email stan@grapetray.com or call 559-226-6828
~Local orders: Email or call with your order and we will contact you when the order is ready for curbside pick-up

~We will continue to ship to the Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, New Mexico, Nevada and Arizona.

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Choose your wine with confidence. Get ratings, read reviews, and check prices instantly just by snapping a photo of any bottle or menu. Make a purchase right from your phone. Shipping to your home or business is only $15 and if you spend $150, shipping is free. The Vivino App: vivino.com

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2018 Kali Hart Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: The 2018 Kali Hart Chardonnay is the most fruit-forward in the Talbott portfolio. Grown in cool climates, Kali Hart is an exceptionally refreshing Chardonnay. Notes of ripe stone fruit and juicy tropical notes meet aromas of Madagascar vanilla for a bright mouthfeel straight through to the finish. $18 Our Price $14.99

Wine Spectator 93
SUMMERS Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley Reserve 2016

Ripe and fleshy in feel, with layers of steeped red currant, plum and blackberry fruit, laced with tobacco, singed cedar and sage notes. Features a dense finish but shows good cut, with a buried iron accent. Best from 2020 through 2032. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 900 cases made. — JM $80 Our Price $49.95

Wine Spectator 93
BODEGAS MURIEL Rioja
Fincas de la Villa Reserva 2015

This generous red is rich and round, with ripe tannins and orange peel acidity. Cherry, dried currant, licorice, vanilla and spice flavors are ample yet focused. A balance of traditional and modern styles. Drink now through 2030. —T.M. $20 Our Price $16.99

2018 Turley Juvenile Zinfandel

Winery Notes: Though the vast majority of our wines are single vineyard designates, Juvenile is actually composed of a variety of young vines that have been replanted in several of our old vine sites. We tag the vine when we replant it so as not to mix the brand new vine with its much older neighbors, then pick these young vines separately and make a distinct wine. The vines that make up Juvenile range in age from about 6-25 years, and we pull from 18 of our best vineyards across California, including Hayne, Ueberroth, Pesenti, Salvador, Vineyard 101, Fredericks and Kirschenmann. $24 (Back in stock)

Wine Spectator 90
FREI BROTHERS Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Sonoma Reserve 2017

Ripe, with loamy accents to the cherry compote and Christmas pudding flavors. The lusciously spiced finish offers dark chocolate and mocha hints. Drink now through 2023. 6,000 cases made.—Kim Marcus $27 Our Price $ (Arrives 4/3/20)

2015 Skinner Smithereens GSM

Winemaker Notes: The 2015 Red Blend has red fruit aromatics like dark cherry, strawberry preserves, and dried cranberry, while subtle notes wild sage, fennel seed, and dirt road add nuance. The palate is medium bodied with a crunchy dose of minerality, subtle tannins and lingering acidity on the finish. Blend: 51% Grenache, 31% Mourvedre, 12% Syrah, 5% Cunoise. $24 Internet Price $11.99 Grape Tray email subscriber price $9.95

James Suckling 91 Points
2017 Talbott Vineyards Pinot Noir
Monterey County Kali Hart

Deep and dark aromas and flavors of dried strawberries and cherries follow through to a full body, juicy fruit and a one-dimensional and fruity finish. Underlying, sold tannins. Drink now. $20 Our Price $17.99

Wine Spectator 94
MOUNT VEEDER Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2016

This displays a pure core of black cherry, cassis and plum puree flavors before the back end clamps down, revealing grippy tar and apple wood notes. Shows freshness and drive, with a pervasive sagebrush detail. Give this time to round into form. Best from 2022 through 2038. 39,041 cases made. — JM $44 Our Price $31.95

2017 Bernardus Monterey Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: The aromas exhibit scents of peach and lychee accented by caramel and toasty oak notes. The palate is very rich and highly focused with vibrant tropical fruit and citrus flavors supported by a crisp acidity. $24 Our Price $20.49

Wine Advocate 96-98+
2018 Peter Michael Winery
 Chardonnay La Carriere

A tank sample, the 2018 Chardonnay la Carriere comes from a block planted to Dijon and Hyde (Old Wente) clone selections. It sashays out of the glass with flamboyant notions of fresh ginger, lemongrass, allspice and orange blossoms over a core of peach preserves, pink grapefruit and apple pie with wafts of baking bread and marzipan. Medium to full-bodied, the texture is simply stunning—so satiny with fantastic tension to counter and layer upon layer of spices and savory flavors, finishing very long and very perfumed. 2,907 cases are due to be made. $110 (4/1/20)



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