July 23rd 2021 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

July 23rd 2021 Newsletter

2019 Thread Feathers Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Extracted, rich and earthy, this 2019 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is full- bodied, and richly ripe in black fruit, coniferous nose with violet, redcurrant and red-plum aromas, leading to a succulent palate that carries attractive tannin structure. Focused and powerful. Elements of sage, dried herb and cedar provide contrast the complexity. Wine Specs: Blend: 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec. Internet Price $38 (Back in stock GT and VRW 7/28/21)

James Suckling 94 Points
2019 Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Apalta Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Very pretty currant, blackberry and floral aromas and flavors. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, silky tannins and a chewy finish. Give it two or three years to soften. $25 Our Price $19.99 (Available GT)

Wine Spectator 94
BEDROCK Bedrock Vineyard Heritage Sonoma Valley 2019

Bold aromas of rose petal and orange blossom open to dynamic blackberry, licorice and smoked pepper flavors, building tension toward medium-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Carignan and Mataro. Drink now through 2030. —T.F. $50 (Available GT)

2018 Kendall Jackson Appellation Series Mendocino Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: Our proprietary approach to winemaking has earned us our world-renowned reputation for wines that consistently exhibit intense layers of favor with complexity and balance. 100% Chardonnay sourced from cool coastal vineyards in Mendocino County• Crafted in small vineyard lots throughout the entire winemaking process• Our winemakers masterfully blend these exemplary rich, deep and complex wines to capture the elegant character of Chardonnay and deliver intensely concentrated favors. Whole cluster pressed to retain the fresh fruit qualities. Flavors of Bosc pear, green apple and honey round out the palate. $20 Our Price $11.25 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Enthusiast 97 Points
2018 O'Shaughnessy Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

This is such an outstanding wine at any price, but here we’re talking about outstanding value as well. Notes of iron and crushed rock lead to a lengthy balance of juicy red fruit and clove. With small amounts of Merlot, Malbec, Saint-Macaire and Cabernet Franc, it shows a deft hand at blending, with lasting notes of black pepper and nuanced oak. $75 (Arrives GT 7/29/21)

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 (Available GT and VRW)

James Suckling 94 Points
2017 Three Sticks Durell Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

Impressive complexity and powerful aromas of ripe pears and peaches here. Lots of spice, grilled almonds and clotted cream, too. The palate has a smooth delivery of supple, creamy pears and peaches, brulee custard and plenty of spiced-orange sponge cake to close. Drink or hold. $60 Our Price $49.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 95 Points
GHOST BLOCK Cabernet Sauvignon
Oakville 2018

Very lush, with warmed plum sauce, cassis and linzer flavors gliding through slowly, but persistently, while cast iron and mesquite notes add range along the way. Stays on the dark side of the spectrum, with a flash of espresso crema flickering at the end amid the exotic fruit. Drink now through 2034. —J.M. $75 Internet Price $64.99 (Back in stock GT) Limited

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 94 Points
2019 Mayacamas Mt. Veeder Napa Chardonnay

The 2019 Chardonnay is fabulous. Next to the 2018 in this tasting, it has more resonance and overall depth. Power, depth and energy all come together in this beautifully layered, expressive Chardonnay. Lemon oil, almond, chamomile and dried flowers fill out the layers effortlessly. The 2019 is such a gorgeous wine. $50 (Available GT)

2018 Hayfork Field Select
Cabernet Sauvignon (Arrives GT 7/28/21)

Wine Advocate 95 Points: A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Field Select was aged for 20 months in oak, 90% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it charges out of the gate with exuberant notes of baked black plums, Black Forest cake and mulberries plus suggestions of fragrant earth, Provence herbs and tree bark. The palate has a firm backbone of grainy tannins and lively acidity framing the full-bodied, muscular black fruit, finishing long with a lifted perfume. 100 cases were made. $125

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points: A darker, richer, more expansive wine, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Field Select checks in as 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Petit Verdot, all from the Lewelling Ranch vineyard, that spent 20 months in 90% new French oak. Notes of blue fruits, spiced plums, candied orange, and flowers give way to a full-bodied, incredibly sexy 2018 with sweet tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. It’s a prime candidate for enjoying any time over the coming 15 years. $125

Wine Advocate 94
2016 Anthem Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Made of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard is deep garnet-purple in color and reveals expressive black cherries, blackberries and warm blackcurrants with hints of violets, black olives, Indian spices and cigar box. Full-bodied, rich and powerful, the palate is filled with well-poised black fruit layers and firm, grainy tannins, matched by bold freshness and finishing long. $125 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

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)

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

Friday Tasting, 7/23/21 (3:00 PM-5:30 PM): 2018 Ramey Ritchie Chardonnay, 2018 Arista Russian River Pinot Noir and 2018 Mending Wall Tournahu Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Saturday Tasting with Anthem Winery and Vineyards, 7/24/21 (1:00 PM-3:30 PM): 2019 Yountville Sauvignon Blanc, 2017 Mt. Veeder Merlot, 2016 Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon and 2016 Beckstoffer Las Piedras Cabernet Sauvignon

2019 Anthem YOUNTVILLE SAUVIGNON BLANC

Winemaker Notes: Our classic Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc from the Riverbound Vineyard in Yountville opens with alluring notes of vanilla, citrus, and honeysuckle on the nose, leading way to a full and refreshing palate, with hints of melon, minerals, and lemon merengue, and a long, delicate finish. Just 200 cases of this single vineyard, hand-crafted white wine produced. $55

2017 Anthem MT. VEEDER MERLOT

Winemaker Notes: Our 2017 ultra-premium Merlot from our own Mt. Veeder is structured and complex with a nose of black fruits, spice, and olive. It shows its earthy hillside terroir on the palate with hints of black cherries, roasted meats, and chocolate, and has a long, lingering finish. Drink between now and 2027. $80

Wine Spectator 93 Points
ANTHEM Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder 2016

Lush and well-fruited, with lots of boysenberry, blackberry and plum flavors rolling through, laced with apple wood, anise, violet and sweet tobacco notes. Shows a tarry edge on the finish but the fruit keeps pace easily. Solidly built. Best from 2021 through 2032. 930 cases made. — JM $125

Wine Advocate 94
2016 Anthem Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Made of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard is deep garnet-purple in color and reveals expressive black cherries, blackberries and warm blackcurrants with hints of violets, black olives, Indian spices and cigar box. Full-bodied, rich and powerful, the palate is filled with well-poised black fruit layers and firm, grainy tannins, matched by bold freshness and finishing long. $125

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


Back to Our Blog

Are you 21 years old, or older?

No