June 12th 2020 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

June 12th 2020 Newsletter

2014 Champ de Reves
Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: Blueberry, cranberry, wisteria, and white rose join wisps of cedar incense, leather, dried mint, and Thai basil on the nose. Pomegranate, tangerine, Niçoise olive, cinnamon, and green tea flavors come together on the palate. Intricately balanced acidity, silky texture, and a touch of mineral are all framed by sturdy tannin carrying into a long, lingering finish. $44 Liquidation Price $13.95 (Limited to stock on hand)

Back in stock!
Wine Spectator 90
WindRacer Chardonnay Anderson Valley 2015

Lithe and spicy, with creamy accents to the apple pastry, pear tart and dried tropical fruit flavors. Long, rich finish. Drink now through 2020. 1,502 cases made. — KM $40 Internet Price $19.99 Grape Tray email subscriber price $15.95

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 Grape Tray email subscriber price $9.95 (Back in stock)

92 Points - SF Int'l Wine Competition
2017 Roth Alexander Valley Cabernet

Winemaker Notes: Bold, full-bodied and rich. Mighty aromas of black cherry, cassis, wet stone and sweet oak. Rich, layered flavors of red currant, blackberry, dark chocolate and vanilla complement the firm tannins. Structured and powerful, this Cab lingers on the finish. $28 Our Price $20.99

Wine Spectator 92
SHAFER TD-9 Napa Valley 2017

Rich and full of dense and spicy dark plum, dried blackberry and mocha flavors. Dark chocolate and smoky notes show on the ripe finish, with dried savory herbal accents. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Drink now through 2023. 8,000 cases made. — KM $60 (Back in stock)

2019 Withers El Dorado Rose

WINEMAKER NOTES - This Bandol-inspired Rosé is a beauty, featuring aromas and flavors of citrus and stone fruits, highlighted by cherry, watermelon rind, grapefruit, nectarine and peach flavors. The Wine has firm balancing acidity and both inviting aromas and a long finish on the palate. The medium bodied frame is layered, textured, balanced and elegant, and the wine will drink well on release or age for 5-7 years. It is a perfect accompaniment to a wide variety of seafood, pasta and fowl and best served at or slightly above cellar temperature. 53% Grenache, 43% Mourvèdre and 4% Counoise. $23 Our Price $20.49

2018 Luli Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: With a brilliant garnet hue, the Luli Pinot Noir bursts from the glass with powerful aromatics of Bing cherry, strawberry cream, and baked plum. The morning fog and coastal breezes that pour into the Santa Lucia Highlands envelop the palate in the form of rose petal, blackberry crumble, red currant, and sage undertones. These rugged slopes stress the vines, producing fruit of exceptional complexity and structure, which reflect in the wine’s lively acidity and elegant tannin. $25 Our Price $19.99

Wine Spectator 93
RIDGE Geyserville Alexander Valley 2018

Robust yet brooding, with multilayered black plum, licorice and Asian five-spice powder flavors that build richness toward big, briary tannins. Zinfandel, Carignane, Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouschet. Best from 2022 through 2030. 10,500 cases made. —Tim Fish $45 Our Price $39.99

2018 Francois Crochet Sancerre Rosé

Importer Notes: It’s never easy to pick a favorite wine, especially if you’ve made it a habit to drink your way around Europe. We couldn’t say which rosé in our collection tops our list, but if we were to choose the most complex, it might be François Crochet’s Sancerre rosé made of Pinot Noir.

A textbook example of finely wrought Sancerre rosé, François’ are hard to keep your hands off, but age effortlessly. (Tip: Don’t believe what people say about the ageability of rosé—Pinot Noir rosés, especially those from northern France, are even better the following year, and it'd be wise to plan for your future summer rosé parties by putting a few of these away till next year!) A short maceration on the skins laces this wine’s charming but deeply layered nose with the essence of elegant green citrus, dark pink rose, passionfruit, and a sweet green herbs. On the palate, mineral and acidic freshness are gifted from this great wine land of the north, making it a pleasant, electric experience. $30 Our Price $26.95

Wine Spectator 92
BODEGAS GODEVAL Godello Valdeorras 2018

This bold white has a rich texture, backed by firm acidity. Pear and passion fruit flavors are supported by ginger, mineral and spice notes. Shows a tropical character, yet remains focused and clean. Drink now through 2023. 3,000 cases made, 800 cases imported.—T.M. $19 Our Price $17.29 Last Call

Our door is open and a mask is required while in the store. Social distancing maintained.
If you prefer, 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


~Or, place your order using our website: grapetray.com
The Grape Tray 559-226-6828
www.grapetray.com



Back to Our Blog

Are you 21 years old, or older?

No