March 2nd 2021 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

March 2nd 2021 Newsletter

Wine Tasting at VRW $5/person

On deck for Friday, 3/5/21 (2:30 PM-5:30 PM): 2018 Thread Feathers Atlas Peak Napa Cabernet and 2018 Cardano Estate Black Fruit Napa Cabernet

2018 Thread Feathers Atlas Peak Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: This gem was sourced from the top of Atlas Peak, just a stones throw from the stagecoach vineyard. Wine exudes blackberry, mocha, and blueberry compote on the nose, extenuated by sweet vanilla. The palate shows dark fruit, with cassis, plum and cedar orbiting around Gorgeous mid palate, with full-bodied richness, ripe tannins and terrific balance. Case Productions: 380. Blend: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc. $75 Internet Price $34.99

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points
2018 Cardano Estate Black Fruit Napa Cabernet

While a small step up in price, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Black Fruit is worth it and is one of the top values found in the vintage. A blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, it has classy, complex notes of blueberries, blackberries, unsmoked tobacco, leather, and white truffle. It’s one of those wines you could smell all night, and it doesn’t disappoint on the palate either, offering full-bodied richness, a seamless texture, and ultra-fine tannins. Enjoy bottles any time over the coming 15 years or more. Internet Price $75

Saturday Tasting, 3/6/21 (12:30 PM-3:30 PM): 2015 Carmel Road Panorama Pinot Noir and 2018 Walter Hansel Estate Pinot Noir

2015 Carmel Road Panorama Pinot

Winemaker Notes: The 2015 Panorama Pinot Noir is absolutely delicious. The wine has intense aromas of black cherry and blackberry with hints of baking spices and black tea. It is rich and juicy on the palate with layers of oak complimenting the black cherry core. Silky, well integrated tannins exude wonderful balance, elegance and a long finish. Made with 100% Pinot Noir. $35 Our Price $13.95

Wine Advocate 94 Points
2018 Walter Hansel Pinot Noir Estate

The 2018 Pinot Noir Estate, aged in 60% new François Frères barrels, has a medium ruby color and aromas of cured meats, red and black cherries, graphite, dried earth and tobacco leaves. The medium-bodied, satiny palate explodes with concentrated earth- and spice-laced fruits, gently grainy, super fresh and finishing very long and uplifted. 861 cases produced. $40

Tasting Alerts: Instagram-Vintage Reserve Wine
Vintage Reserve Wine Hours
Tuesday-Friday 12 Noon-6:00 PM
Saturday 12 Noon-4:00 PM
Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW)
1552 E. Champlain Drive, Ste 109 Fresno, CA 93720 Via Montana Center (NE Corner Shepherd and Champlain-Two doors south of Big 5) vintagereserve.biz. 559-878-3953


Back in stock!
2018 Carmel Road Cabernet

Winemaker Notes: Our Cabernet is an exceptional varietal expression with rich, concentrated flavors of ripe black cherry, blueberry and deep red plum. The structured palate is balanced by aging in French and American oak barrels, imparting notes of baking spices and vanilla bean in its long, silky finish. $15 Our Price $9.95 - Outstanding Value Cab! (Available GT and VRW)

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points
Cattleya Wines Alma de Cattleya Pinot Noir 2018

A blend of sites and clones, all from Sonoma County, the 2018 Pinot Noir was destemmed and brought up in neutral French oak. There were 2,000 cases made. Revealing a medium ruby/translucent purple hue to go with a beautiful nose of spiced strawberries, raspberries, crushed flowers, and violets, it's beautifully textured and medium-bodied, with good acidity and outstanding length. You're going to be hard pressed to find a better Sonoma County Pinot Noir at the price, and it's going to drink brilliantly for 2-4 years. $28 Internet Price $26.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2018 Beringer Reserve Chardonnay

The classic Napa release from this estate, the 2018 Chardonnay Private Reserve has lots of beautiful golden apple, caramelized citrus, toasted nut, and hints of acacia flowers. With a rich, textured style, it still stays beautifully fresh, balanced, and layered. It's a brilliant effort. $40 Our Price $33.99 (Available GT)

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
2017 Arkenstone Estate Sauvignon Blanc

Arriving in 2006, winemaker Sam Kaplan continues to fashion rock star wines from this Howell Mountain estate. One of the best whites from Napa, as well as one of the most ageworthy, the 2017 Sauvignon Blanc Estate gives up serious notes of stone fruits, lime, orange blossom, and some obvious minerality on the nose. Made from 94% Sauvignon Blanc and 6% Semillon aged in a mix of barrel and concrete eggs, it’s full-bodied, concentrated, and textured, all while staying pure and incredibly precise on the palate. It’s a brilliant wine that I suspect will evolve for two decades. $105 (Available GT)

2016 J. Lohr Hilltop Paso Robles Cabernet, Half Bottles

Winemaker Notes: 2016 Hilltop Cabernet shows dark fruit, chocolate, graphite and anise on the nose. The palate is dense and soft at once with layers of mineral, sweet oak barrel and fresh savory notes. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc. $19 Our Price $15.99/375ml (Last call-6 bottles left)

2018 Frank Family Carneros Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: Bright ruby in color, the 2018 Carneros Pinot Noir is lively and fresh with a beautiful exploration of rose petal, pomegranate, and cranberry. It shows a wealth of flavor and texture with a full-bodied figure of ripeness and structured acidity. $36 Our Price $31.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 95
MAURO MOLINO Barolo Gallinotto 2016

Complex aromas and flavors of mint, eucalyptus, cherry, strawberry, iron and tar are the hallmarks of this intense red. It's juicy, with solid tannins providing support. The lengthy aftertaste echoes both savory and fruity elements. Best from 2024 through 2047. —B.S. $46 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 94
CHÂTEAU KIRWAN Margaux 2018

This drapes wonderfully, with its range of warmed cassis, plum reduction and blackberry preserve flavors displaying a cashmere feel while warmed anise, alder, juniper and bay details peek in throughout. Rich yet defined finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2023 through 2036. 7,500 cases made. — JM $55 (Back in stock at GT this afternoon)


Back to Our Blog

Are you 21 years old, or older?

No