September 25th 2020 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

September 25th 2020 Newsletter

End of vintage alert! 96 bottles in stock.
2015 Paraiso Monterey Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: Aromas of peach, lemon-lime and green apple with flavors of toasted nuts, nectarine and apple. A rich mouth feel with a long full flavored finish. $25 Our Price $7.45 (Discounted 70%)

2018 Château de Montmirail Cuvée de Beauchamp Gigondas

Winemaker Notes: Rich and dark in color, this wine shows remarkable finesse for the vintage. This crowd pleaser has a nose of ripe blackberries and earth tones followed by a wine with good length, balance and a rich mouthfeel. 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre. $26

2018 Bevan Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: The Richie Vineyard Chardonnay has a beautiful gold green hue to it. As you pour this wine it aromatically takes over the room. Your goal might have been to look at the color and viscosity in and on the glass, but the wine forces you to smell her. Pineapple, key lime and freshly grilled toast envelop you. Texturally the wines acidity hits the pallet and lights up your tongue which is immediately followed by her amazing richness. She is all silky power. $70

Wine Advocate 99 Points
2016 Phelps Insignia

Bottled in January 2019, the 2016 Insignia is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec, aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose is a little reticent to begin, needing a fair bit of coaxing to reveal beautifully beguiling notions of wild blueberries, warm blackberries, black currant cordial, cloves and cedar chest with nuances of camphor, yeast extract, charcuterie and candied violets. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has fantastic elegance and depth, revealing loads of subtle floral, black fruit and earthy layers with a firm, very finely grained texture and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length. $300 Our Price $249.99

Wine Spectator 93
2018 Kosta Browne Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Violet notes accent the juicy crushed red cherry and raspberry tart flavors, backed by vibrant acidity. Exhibits spicy focus midpalate, leading to a finish that lingers with flint and hot stone hints. $115 Our Price $99.99

2017 Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: Capturing the rustic elegance of the Anderson Valley, this wine begins with lively aromas of fresh-picked wild strawberry, dusty earth and sweet tobacco leaf. The dynamic strawberry aromas are echoed on the palate, where they are supported by supple tannins and a bright underlying acidity that adds energy and zest to a long, nuanced finish. $50 Our Price $42.99. Half Bottles $21.99

James Suckling 98 Points
2012 Roederer Cristal Brut

Such attractive, fresh, floral aromas here with fine bread, hints of white almonds and a lemon edge. White cherries and strong, chalky minerals, too. The palate has a very composed feel. Seamless and quite silky texture with effortless length and flow. Very fluid and composed. Very late, warming almond flavors. This is very long and smooth with a velvety finish. Super long pinot weight. Resolved and drinkable, but will age so well. $300 Our Price $229.95

Wine Spectator 91
FORGE Riesling Seneca Lake Dry
Classique 2017

Jasmine and mustard seed notes lead the way here, backed by a mix of yellow apple, mirabelle plum and citrus oil flavors. Shows good intensity through the finish. Drink now through 2022. 5,773 cases made. — JM $19 Our Price $16.99

Wine Enthusiast 90 and Best Buy
2018 Hahn GSM

Aromas of dark red berry and crumpled hibiscus make for a delicious entry to the nose of this blend of 69% Grenache, 29% Syrah and 2% Mourvèdre. The palate is lively in acidity and texturally engaging, carrying flavors of dark berry, licorice and star anise.” – Matt Kettmann. $15 Our Price $12.99 (Arrives 10/1/20)

2018 Vice Versa Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Dark red color. Complex and concentrated perfume of sweet red and blue berries, blue flowers, thyme and star anise. The palate is layered and offers an expansive creamy texture leading to a long, balanced finish with dark chocolate, ripe pure dark berries and silky ripe tannins. $170

2018 Cabotte Colline Côtes du Rhône

Winemaker Notes: Plenty of spice and earth are coated with sweet fruit. Blackberries and raspberries are in abundance, with some pepper. In the mouth it is rich and unctuous. Bright fruit with good acidity balance out this dark red wine. Bottled unfiltered for us to preserve everything that nature offered. Now fully certified in biodynamic farming, the results are already noticeable in this wine. More tension and grit, combined with deeper fruit take this wine to a new level. $14 (Arrives this afternoon)

 2019 Josep-Maria Vendrell Montsant Seré

Importer Notes: Josep-Maria Vendrell’s “second” wine will show up most others in the appellation. 80% Garnacha, 20% Cariñena from the younger vines of the estate. Red fruit, mostly cherries create a very captivating nose while the airy structure is full, but not firm. Very classy wine, with good complexity for this price. $15 (Arrives this afternoon)

Jeb Dunnuck 98-100 Points
2018 Bevan Cellars Tench Vineyard EE Red

The same 60/40 split of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, brought up in new oak, the 2018 Tench Vineyard EE Red Wine is another incredibly pure, complex, yet powerful 2018. Rocking levels of crme de cassis, spring flowers, chocolate, and graphite give way to a full-bodied, pure, and seamless wine that has incredible potential. $200

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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