August 18th 2020 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

August 18th 2020 Newsletter

Wine Spectator 90
COLLEMASSARI Vermentino Montecucco Melacce 2018

A fresh, lively style, sporting apple, peach, lemon curd and saline notes. Sleek and well-defined by the vibrant structure and lingering with a hint of bitter grapefruit. Drink now. 6,600 cases made, 1,000 cases imported. — BS $22 Our Price $12.95

2018 Frank Family Carneros Chardonnay

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. $36 Our Price $30.99

2019 Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay (New Vintage!)

Winemaker Notes: Pale yellow with a green tinge to the hue. Aromas of yellow peach, mango with a slight citrus note intertwine seamlessly with vanilla and spice. The palate is rich and round, with the mango and vanilla fighting for the lime light, while the cream texture, vanilla and slight butter combine seamlessly. The balanced acidity closes out the finish bringing the multiple components into balance. $37

Wine Spectator 93
TENUTA SETTE CIELI Toscana Scipio 2010

This is really singing today, with effusive aromas of cassis, leather, black pepper and vanilla. A mineral component enters on the palate, with a firm backbone of tannins. Stays long and fresh on the lingering aftertaste. Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2023. 700 cases made. — BS $112 Our Price $77.99

Wine Spectator 93
MERRY EDWARDS Sauvignon Blanc
 Russian River Valley 2018

A pretty thread of orange water adds an aromatic lift to the core of nectarine, apricot and lemon zest flavors, set on a succulent, fleshy frame. Dried ginger, honeysuckle and melon notes linger on the long, expressive finish. Drink now. 12,500 cases made. — MW $36 (Back in stock 8/19/20)

Wine Spectator 94
GHOST BLOCK Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 2017

Features some frank, nearly heady ripeness, with steeped plum, açaí berry and blackberry compote flavors bursting forth, followed quickly by bramble and licorice snap notes. The finish delivers a late kick of fruit and pulls in a mouthwatering apple wood accent. For fans of the big, bold style. Best from 2021 through 2034. —J.M. $75 Internet Price $64.99

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points
2016 Yao Ming Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

This is a brawny, generous and powerful wine that holds its full-bodied concentration in check, showing a balanced approach to oak and tannin. Black cherry, currant and cocoa powder are accented by toasted oak and lingering black pepper, nutmeg and cedar on the finish. $95 Internet Price $65.99 (Our last case will arrive on 8/20/20)

J Cuvee 20 Brut

Winemaker Notes: J Cuvée 20 Brut opens with nuanced aromas of fresh sourdough bread, green apple, tangerine and almond. A dance of bubbles leads to a focused palate that delicately balances sweet and tart notes of raspberry, cherry, wild strawberry and lemon rind, whisked away by a crisp and lively finish. Pair this versatile sparkler with Asian shrimp dumplings with yuzu glaze or Stilton cheese with toasted hazelnuts. $32 Our Price $27.99

Wine Spectator 92
SCATTERED PEAKS Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2017

Tasting Note: A bold, forward style, with plush, lightly mulled plum, boysenberry and açaí berry flavors pumping along, backed by light apple and anise accents that add detail through the finish. Big, but has the energy for balance. Best from 2021 through 2028. —J.M. $40 Our Price $23.95

2018 Thread Feathers Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

Notes from Winemaker Neil M Koch: This wine offers full-bodied intensity within a classic framework of red and black currant, cherry and cassis. Robustly built in tannin and well-integrated oak, it has earthy elements of cedar, sage and graphite, with a lasting note of mocha. Sourced from grapes from the Ashe Vineyard located just south of Oakville Crossroads. 275 cases produced. $75 Our Price $29.95

Elena Walch Pinot Bianco 2018
Pinot Blanc from Alto Adige, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

Winemaker Notes: This Pinot Bianco presents itself in clear, bright straw yellow, with fruity aromas, fresh apple notes and a touch of herbs in the bouquet. In the mouth, the wine surprises with elegant, mineral depth, lively acidity and a fresh finish. An inviting aperitif wine and an ideal accompaniment for light dishes. $19 Our Price $15.99

Wine Advocate 91
2017 Paul Hobbs Crossbarn
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

The 2017 Pinot Noir has a pale to medium ruby-purple color and inviting scents of pomegranate liqueur, crushed cranberries and Bing cherries with nuances of orange peel, potpourri and autumn leaves. Light to medium-bodied, it offers loads of bright, spicy fruits, with a gently grainy frame and seamless freshness, finishing long and bright. 12,632 cases produced. $37 Our Price $29.99

Wine Advocate 92
2017 Anne Gros & Jean-Paul Tollot Minervois Les Fontanilles

The 2017 Minervois Les Fontanilles—a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault—comes from a cool, north-facing plot surrounded by garrigue. The wine is medium to full-bodied and supple, with the red-toned fruit picking up hints of resinous herbs, like rosemary and bay leaf, on the finish. Half of the wine was aged in barrel, half in tank, but the wood isn't particularly prominent, maybe just adding a touch of roundness around the edges and hints of cedar and vanilla on the nose. $33 Our Price $26.99

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

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


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