Special Tasting This Week at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) with Frank Family Winery:
Taste 2019 Carneros Chardonnay, 2019 Carneros Pinot Noir, 2018 Napa Cabernet and 2018 Napa Zinfandel at VRW for $10! Available all day during operating hours Tuesday, 7/6- Saturday, 7/10/21.

2019 Frank Family Carneros Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: A vibrant citrus-led nose delves into nuanced flavors of baked apple, toasted oak, and brioche on the full-bodied palate. The rich mouthfeel is harmonized by a lasting thread of bright acidity that lifts and maintains freshness on the long finish. $38 Our Price $30.95

2019 Frank Family Carneros Pinot

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. $38 Our Price $32.99

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 91 pts
2018 Frank Family Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is fresh, vibrant and fruity, all of which make it a terrific choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. Ripe red berry fruit, wild flowers, mint and sweet spice are front and center. This pliant, inviting Cabernet has so much to offer. $57 Our Price $46.95

2018 Frank Family Napa Zinfandel

Winemaker Notes: Fragrant earthiness lies beneath rich black cherry and plum flavors in this full-bodied, deep-colored wine. Mocha, cardamom, and baked cherry enhance the wine’s refreshing acidity and powerful tannins find harmony on the lingering finish. $38 Our Price $30.95

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The Prisoner Half Bottles (In-Store only)
2018 Napa Cabernet $19.95 (5 bottles available GT)
2019 Carneros Chardonnay $15.95 (5 bottles available GT)

James Suckling 94 Points
2018 Schrader Double Diamond
Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

An elegant, fruit-driven cabernet sauvignon with notes of red fruit and spices. Fresh herbs, such as thyme. It’s full-bodied and well balanced. The texture is pleasant and smooth with elegant tannins. The finish is long and flavorful. Internet Price $75 (Available GT and VRW)

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points
2018 Hartford Court
Russian River Pinot, Half Bottles

Starting with the 2018 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, which comes from multiple sites and was brought up in 27% new French oak, it has a vivid ruby hue to go with classic Russian River notes of mulled cherry and raspberry fruits, cola, spice box, and dried herbs. Medium-bodied, round, and beautifully textured, it's a totally charming, balanced, elegant Pinot Noir that punches way above its weight. $19 Our Price $15.99/375ml (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points
2018 Ancient Peaks Santa Margarita Ranch Paso Robles Cabernet

A deep blackberry aroma meets with licorice and mushroom on the fresh and savory nose. The palate’s blackberry and blueberry core is partnered harmoniously with notes of chipped wood and toasted herbs as well as jubilant acidity. $20 Our Price $16.49 (Available GT and VRW)

James Suckling 96 Points
Best's Great Western Riesling 2020

Such expressive and fragrant aromas of fresh lemons, sliced pears and apples, as well as wet stones. Lots to like here. The palate has a very intense, mouthwatering core of citrus and white peach, driven by intense acidity. Low-yielding vintage with high-quality grapes. Will age very well. Drink or hold. Screw cap. $25 Our Price $19.99 (Back in stock GT)

2018 Cakebread Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Our classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon reveals aromas of ripe blackberry and boysenberry with hints of dark chocolate and sweet oak. On the palate, the dark fruit is balanced by fresh acidity and lush tannins that carry all the way over a lingering, elegant finish—with just a kiss of minerality. Enjoy this wine now, with everything from lamb burgers to filet mignon and fire-roasted portobello mushrooms—or lay the wine down and watch it continue to develop complexity in the bottle for years to come. $84 Our Price $69.95 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points
2018 The Calling Monterey Pinot

Candied Bing cherry and fresh hibiscus aromas make this an immediately likable bottling by Jim Nantz and his team, while the star anise, gingerbread and sweet herb aromas add complexity. The palate is lively and fresh with more red fruit and flowers as well as cinnamon and wild chaparral spices, leading into a eucalyptus-oil-kissed finish. $30 Liquidation Price $18.95 (Available GT)

Wine Spectator 93
MARGERUM Grenache
Santa Barbara County 2019

A lovely and expressive wine, offering floral raspberry, rose petal and smoky, grilled pepper flavors that build structure and tension toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2029. 900 cases made. — TF $40 Our Price $34.99 (Available GT and VRW)

2017 Joullian Monterey Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: Brilliant, pale green straw-gold color couple with perfumy mango, white peach, pineapple and citrus rind aromas that jump out of the glass. These same tropical characteristics are reflected in a rich, fruit driven flavor profile that finishes with refreshing acidity and hints of minerality and roasted grain. Cellar thru 2024 at 55° F. $20 Our Price $17.99 (Available GT)

Friday Wine Tasting at VRW $15 per person (Indoor seating for 30 people) Must be 21 or older to attend

Friday Tasting, 7/9/21 (3:00 PM-5:30 PM): 2012 Bollinger La Grande Annee, 2015 Cain Five Proprietary Red and 2016 Rudd Oakville Estate Proprietary Red

Wine Spectator 97
BOLLINGER Brut Champagne
La Grande Année 2012

This goes from zero to 60 right out of the gate, with an intense spine of acidity driving tightly meshed flavors of crushed black currant, ground coffee, candied grapefruit peel and toasted almond. The profile expands on the palate, carried by the fine, raw silk–like mousse. Richly aromatic and expressive from start to lasting, spiced finish. Disgorged July 2019. Drink now through 2037. 850 cases imported. From France. —A.N. $175

James Suckling 95 Points
2015 Cain Five Proprietary Red

A juicy yet subtle red with spices, walnuts, chocolate and hints of currants. Complex. Medium to full body. Creamy and polished tannins span out on the palate. Flavorful and beautiful finish. Drinkable now, but even better to hold. 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. $120

Wine Advocate 96+
2016 Rudd Oakville Estate Proprietary Red

The 2016 Oakville Estate Proprietary Red Wine is blended of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and a 1% splash of Petit Verdot aged for 21 months in 78% new French oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, it opens with exuberant blackcurrant pastilles, wild blueberries and black cherries scents with touches of licorice, garrigue, tilled soil and cedar chest plus hints of tobacco and dried Provence herbs. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is built like a brick house with a solid, muscular black fruit core and firm, ripe, grainy tannins plus a wonderfully refreshing line, finishing with loads of energetic earth and herbal sparks. 630 cases produced. $250

Wine Tasting notes available on instagram and facebook: vintage reserve wine and www.vintagereserve.biz

Saturday Wine Tasting at VRW $15 per person (Indoor seating for 30 people) Must be 21 or older to attend

Saturday Tasting, 7/10/21 (1:00 PM-3:30 PM): From the following list, you can select which wines you would like to taste:

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points
Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut

Bollinger's NV Special Cuvée knocks it out of the park. Made from 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and the rest Pinot Meunier, with 30% of the blend brought up in barrels, it boasts a rich, deep, medium to full-bodied style as well as terrific notes of lemon curd, creme brulee, caramelized stone fruits, and hints of toasty nuttiness that develop with time in the glass. It's a big, rich Champagne that stays balanced and pure. Beautiful stuff. $70 Internet Price $54.99 VRW Tasting Club Price $49.95

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 92 Points
2017 Dehlinger Russian River Estate Chardonnay

Not surprisingly, in 2017 Dehlinger's Chardonnay Estate is quite racy and luscious. Orchard fruit, citrus confit, and wild flowers take on an extra level of sheer richness, while tropical accents add to the real feeling of exoticism. $42

Wine Advocate 95 Points
2018 Walter Hansel Pinot Noir South Slope

Medium ruby-purple, the 2018 Pinot Noir South Slope has gorgeous aromas of blood orange, cracked pepper, cranberries and red and black cherries loaded with earthy, amaro-like nuances. The medium-bodied palate is silky, fresh and uplifted, its concentrated fruits refreshed by loads of spicy accents, and it finishes long and detailed. 1,083 cases produced. $45

Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 Points
2019 Caterwaul Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

A 3,000-case blend that should be one of the great values in the vintage, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley just about jumps out of the glass with its fruit-forward, undeniably delicious style that could be drunk today. Notes of cassis and berry fruits, lots of spice and flower nuances, full-bodied richness, and ripe, polished tannins all make for a no-brainer purchase geared for drinking over the coming decade. $50

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

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) www.vintagereserve.biz 559-878-3953
Tuesday-Friday 12 Noon-6:00 PM
Saturday 12 Noon-4:00 PM

The Grape Tray (GT)
6023 N. Palm Avenue Fresno, CA 93704
Opus One Center (NW Corner Bullard and Palm)
www.grapetray.com 559-226-6828
Monday-Friday 10:30AM-5:30PM
Saturday 10:30AM-4:00PM