August 31st 2021 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

August 31st 2021 Newsletter

Napa and Sonoma Cabernet Wine Tasting This Week at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $10:
Taste the 2018 Roth Alexander Valley Cabernet, 2016 Joseph Carr Rutherford Napa Cabernet, 2018 Stewart Napa Cabernet and 2019 Sinegal Details Sonoma Cabernet.
Available all day during operating hours Tuesday, 8/31- Friday, 9/3/21.

2018 Roth Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

Winemaker Notes: Bold, full-bodied and rich. Dark in color, it displays mighty aromas of intense dark fruit, cassis and cocoa powder. The palate displays exceptional balance with rich and layered flavors of black cherry, plum, mocha, toasted and a subtle minerality. $30 Our Price $20.99

2016 Joseph Carr Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: This Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from Napa’s acclaimed Rutherford AVA. Located in the center of Napa, Rutherford is bordered by the Mayacamas Mountains on the west and the Vaca Range on the east. The wine was aged in French Oak for 18 months and features notes of black currant, tobacco, coffee, black cherry, and toffee. Full bodied, plush tannins and integrated acidity lead to a persistent finish. $39 Our Price $26.95

Wine Spectator 92 Points
STEWART Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2018

This red has a nicely polished and ripe feel, with cassis and plum preserve flavors gilded lightly with vanilla and backed by subtle tobacco, dark licorice and warm earth accents. Gains a darker, deeper feel through the finish, giving it some sneaky length. Drink now through 2029. 1,500 cases made. — JM $60

Wine Advocate 93-95 Points
2019 Sinegal Estate Details
Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Details emerges mostly from one of the top vineyards on Moon Mountain. Rich and beautifully layered, the 2019 has all of the mineral and savory intensity that makes wines from this corner of Northern California so compelling. Inky dark fruit, sage, menthol, licorice, smoke, gravel and spice infuse the finish. $40

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2019 Teeter-Totter Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: This is a creamy, juicy and 100% drool-worthy vintage. Bright raspberry notes hit you first, then we tumble into silky crème de cassis mixed with chocolate and baking spices. It’s as soft as velvet and as refreshing as it gets – the perfect red for right this second. $65 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Advocate 94 Points
2018 Arkenstone • Sauvignon Blanc Estate

The 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Estate is a blend of 94% Sauvignon Blanc and 6% Semillon, aged for 11 months in one-third new French oak, one-third once-used barrels and one-third concrete. It springs from the glass with vibrant scents of white peaches, grapefruit and underripe pears with hints of honeysuckle, chalk dust and yuzu. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is laden with citrus and stone fruit layers plus a crisp backbone and satiny texture, finishing long and chalky. 550 cases were made. $105 (Arrives GT 9/2/21)

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points
2018 Chateau Pey La Tour Reserve Du Chateau

Lots of red plums, currants, dried spices, new leather and tobacco notes emerge from the 2018 Chateau Pey La Tour Reserve Du Chateau. A medium bodied, charming, elegant 2018 that does a lot right. With solid depth of fruit and an up-front, already delicious style, it should keep nicely for 8-10 years. $16 Our Price $13.95 (Arrives GT 9/1/21)

Wine Spectator 92 Points
FRÉDÉRIC ESMONIN Gevrey-Chambertin Les Jouises Vieilles Vignes 2018

This red is high-toned and well defined, revealing cherry, raspberry, peony and earth flavors. It's firm, with a lining of dusty tannins on the tactile finish. Best from 2023 through 2037. 110 cases imported. — BS $55 Our Price $46.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 93 Points * A. MARGAINE Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Spécial Club 2013

A minerally overtone of smoke and oyster shell transitions on the palate of this firm and fresh blanc de blancs, where notes of crunchy pear and pineapple fruit, toast point and Meyer lemon peel ride the finely detailed bead. Disgorged January 2021. Drink now through 2028.—A.N. $103 (Arrives GT 9/2/21)

Wine Spectator 92 Points
GOSSET Brut Rosé Champagne Grand NV

A minerally rosé Champagne with a crisp, lacy mousse, this is tightly meshed and balanced, offering a finely detailed range of crunchy white peach, spun honey, pink grapefruit pith and ground ginger. Creamy and lingering on the chalk-tinged finish. Drink now through 2025. 800 cases imported. — AN $87 Our Price $64.95 (Available GT and VRW)

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points
2019 Tether Napa Chardonnay

Another great release for this wine, the 2019 Chardonnay offers a pure, elegant, yet still powerful, medium to full-bodied style...It has a tropical edge as well as wonderful purity, a clean, elegant texture, and a great finish. $42 Internet Price $31.99 (Back in stock VRW 9/1/21)

2020 Campet St Marie IGP Pays D’Oc Pinot Noir Rosé

Winemaker Notes: Lovely pale pink color with hints of violet. Bright acidity and soft, subtle aromas of watermelon, raspberries, and strawberries, supported by violet and rose notes. Enjoy this wine chilled. It will be delightful with a fresh goat cheese salad, Salmon Gravlax and Thai food. $18 Our Price $14.95 (Back in stock GT 9/3/21)

2016 Laird Jillian’s Blend

Winemakers Notes: This stunning red blend says “hello” immediately with a vivid purple hue with the slightest maroon rouge rim. The nose has balanced notes of boysenberry, ripe blueberry, baking spice and vanilla. The palate is plush and balanced with flavors of dark red cherries, mocha, and clove. The lasting, indelible finish leaves you yearning for the next sip. A perfect wine to drink on its own or as an accompaniment to your next cookout. Drink now through 2028. $44 (Available GT)

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Wine Tasting at VRW $15 per person (Indoor seating for 30 people) Must be 21 or older to attend.
Friday Tasting, 9/3/21 (3:30 PM-6:00 PM): 2016 Marc Hebrart Brut Special Club, 2017 Pont Neuf La Source Russian River Pinot and 2017 Paul Hobbs Goldrock Estate Sonoma Coast Pinot.

Wine Spectator 94 Points
MARC HÉBRART Brut Champagne
Spécial Club 2016

This hedonistic Champagne is lush and juicy, with mouthwatering acidity serving as a springboard for the lacy mousse and the appealing range of nectarine, honeysuckle, Marcona almond and white cherry notes. Lightly chalky on the lingering, spiced finish. Disgorged September 2020. Drink now through 2031.—A.N. $103

2017 Pont Neuf La Source
Russian River Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: A mere 53 cases were produced of this exceptional Pinot Noir. The 2017 Pont Neuf La Source’ Pinot Noir, like in previous vintages, was produced from Silver Eagle Vineyard - a single vineyard on Stoetz Ridge, which is the last ridge before the Sonoma Coastline. It’s a rolling terrain which separates the Sonoma Coast from the Russian River Valley. The Pinot Noir selections originated in Chambolle Musigny and Vosne-Romanée. They perform in great harmony in this vineyard and capture the elusive quality of Pinot Noir; its ability to deliver power and elegance. La Source is comprised of French clones 115 and 943 and offers balance of spice, forest floor, and berry fruits. It unfolds in the glass with a burst of energy, exotic aromas and a complete range of subtle small black fruits including cassis. This is one of the best Pinot and Chardonnay houses today, yet most haven’t heard of Pont Neuf. But when guests at the tasting room can taste them, they are wowed by their quality. $80

Wine Spectator 93 Points
PAUL HOBBS Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Goldrock Estate 2017

Ripe and intense, with broad-brushed flavors of dark plum, blackberry and cherry tart that are lathered in exotic spiciness. Mocha and dark chocolate details show on the plush, creamy finish. Drink now through 2024. 1,519 cases made. — KM $75

Saturday Wine Tasting at VRW $15 per person (Indoor seating for 30 people) Must be 21 or older to attend.
Saturday Tasting, 9/4/21 (1:00 PM-3:30 PM): 2018 Snowden The Ranch Napa Cabernet, 2018 Lewis Napa Cabernet and 2018 The Setting Oakville Cabernet.

Wine Spectator 93
SNOWDEN Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley The Ranch 2018

Fresh and focused, with a well-built core of red currant, plum and black cherry preserves supported by a loamy spine, with tobacco and singed alder lining the finish. Best from 2022 through 2035. 1,203 cases made. — JM $55

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2018 Lewis Cellars Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

As to the Cabernets, these are all terrific, with the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon offering textbook ripe black fruits, toasty oak, chocolate, and spice-driven aromas and flavors. This full-bodied, incredibly satisfying, powerful Cabernet exemplifies the vintage’s fresh, nicely balanced style. $100

Wine Advocate 97 Points
The Setting Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville from The Setting Wines comes from the Skellenger vineyard and was aged 24 months in 80% new and 20% one-year-old Taransaud and Darnajou barrels. This vintage offers purity and finesse, with a perfume that opens slowly to violets, blueberries, graphite, dark chocolate and sparks of aniseed and exotic spices. The palate is intense with a velvety texture opposed by juicy lift and mineral sparks, finishing on a violet note. Only 200 cases were made and despite the $100+ price tag, compared to the price of its Oakville neighbors, it offers great value this vintage. $125

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2013 Opus One Tasting at VRW
Friday, September 3rd 2:30 PM

Seating limited to 8 people (5 seats available) Reservation required and the cost to attend is $30 per person. Contact Stan at 559-226-6828 to reserve your seat. One bottle will be opened, so each person will receive a 3 ounce serving.

Wine Advocate 98 Points: Deep garnet colored, the 2013 Opus One needs a little swirling before exploding with preserved black and blue fruits—blueberry compote, blackberry pie and blackcurrant cordial—giving way to notes of unsmoked cigars, new leather, beef drippings and menthol with wafts of roasted rosemary and rose oil. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is both powerful and ethereal, charged with energy and backed up by profound black fruits, supported with plush tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long and beautifully perfumed. Drink 2021-2046. CA Market Price $450-800/bottle.

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 1:00-6:00 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 10:30 AM-5:30 PM
Saturday 10:30 AM-4:00 PM



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