June 17th 2022 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

June 17th 2022 Newsletter

Wine Spectator 92 Points
MACROSTIE Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2020

Peach, apricot and mango notes are pure, intense and extremely juicy on a fleshy, succulent frame, with hints of spice, orange blossom and dried ginger. Drink now. 19,231 cases made. — MW $26 Our Price $20.99 (Available GT)

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 93 Points
2019 Phelps Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is absolutely gorgeous. Succulent red cherry, red plum, mocha, spice and leather are front and center. Soft contours and silky plush tannins give the 2019 its tremendous immediacy and overall appeal. The 2019 is a superb wine in its peer group $92 Our Price $79.99 (Available GT and VRW this afternoon)

Another Rose from l’Escarelle
Vinous 90 Points
2020 Chateau de l'Escarelle June 21st Rose

Bright onion skin. Fresh red berry and floral qualities on the nose and in the mouth. Juicy and seamless in texture, showing firm closing bite and a touch of white pepper that adds lingering spiciness. $18 Our Price $8.69 (Available GT and VRW)

2021 Sandhi Central Coast Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: 100% Chardonnay sourced from Domaine de la Cote Estate, Bien Nacido, Phelan Farm, Spanish Springs, Talley Vineyards, McIntyre Vineyard. Fermented in stainless steel and oak barrel. 100% malolactic fermentation. 4,400 cases produced. 13% abv. $25 Our Price $21.99 (Available GT)

Wine Advocate 93 Points
2020 Sandhi Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills

The 2020 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills incorporates about 50% estate fruit and was made with destemmed fruit this vintage and bottled a bit earlier than other vintages. Medium ruby-purple, it has pretty scents of rhubarb, blueberries and tea leaves with savory notes of pipe tobacco, flint and woodsmoke. The medium-bodied palate is delicate, bright and chalky with perfumed fruits and a long, floral finish. $40 Our Price $34.99 (Available GT)

2021 Evening Land Seven Springs Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: Practicing Biodynamic and 100% Chardonnay. Sourced from a unique section of the south block of Seven Springs Vineyard (Eola-Amity Hills AVA). Whole cluster pressed and Indigenous yeast fermentation. 1,136 cases produced. $34 Our Price $28.99 (Available GT)

James Suckling 96 Points
2019 El Enemigo Chardonnay

Cooked apple, lemon curd and light vanilla on the nose, together with stone, mineral and some dried flowers. Medium to full body with a creamy texture and beautiful fruit. Hints of vanilla and pie crust in the aftertaste. Always great quality for the price. Drink or hold. $25 Our Price $21.99 (Available GT)

Wine Spectator 92 Points
GUIDO BERLUCCHI Brut Nature Franciacorta '61 2012

This bursts with ripe pineapple and tangerine fruit, followed by almond skin and honeycomb notes, with a rich streak of racy salinity. Lacy in texture and well-balanced, with a mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2024. 8,000 cases made, 700 cases imported. — AN $62 Our Price $59.99 (Available GT)

Wine Advocate 94 Points
2017 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino

The Altesino 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is ripe and round with lots of pretty textural richness and juicy fruit flavors. These qualities tie in nicely with the character of the vintage that saw long and hot summer days. Dark fruit, plum and blackcurrant pave the way for savory spice, tobacco and limestone. The effect is soothing and rich, and the wine remains perfumed and silky to the end. The tannins are well managed in this hot-vintage wine. Fruit is sourced over 25 hectares of vines with tufo soils and alberese rock. Best after 2024. $75 Our Price $64.99 (Available GT and VRW)

2019 Valley Ghost Aglianico

Winemaker Notes: Aglianico is an obscure variety normally grown in the boot of Italy and tends to be a really big wine. This Central Valley version while not as dark in color still has many of the same attributes of white pepper, rose petals and fresh cherries with a hint of minerality, not to mention a little bit of that “Rutherford dust” or dirt road on the back palete. This a great summertime wine that will hold up well with barbecue and other spicy foods. $11 (Available GT and VRW)

2020 Raeburn Russian River Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: Raeburn Chardonnay shows an array of complex fruit tones ranging from pear and Gravenstein apple to nectarine. The fruit is beautifully complemented with toasted oak, vanilla, and hints of Crème Brûlée with a balanced and elegant finish. $17 Our Price $14.29 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
DAVID ARTHUR Proprietary Red Napa Valley 2018

Racy and focused, with sanguine and iron notes piercing through the core of red currant and damson plum fruit. The long finish has mouthwatering cut as the minerality stays vibrant. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2022 through 2032. 2,830 cases made. — JM $80 (Arrives GT 6/23/22)

Wine Spectator 92 Points
Sean Minor Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2019

Rich and toasty, with hints of cedar bark to the dried red fruit and berry flavors that are well-knit. The creamy finish is long and plush, with accents of hot stone and cooking spices. Drink now through 2026. $25 Our Price $21.99(Available in store only at GT) Limited

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Friday Wine Tasting at VRW, 6/17/22 (Available 12:00 Noon-5:45 PM) $20 per person and must be 21 or older to attend.

Wine Spectator 95 Points
BODEGAS Y VIÑEDOS VALDERIZ
Ribera del Duero 2018

This velvety red offers generous layers of cherry reduction, espresso, clove and loamy earth notes that are flanked with licorice, graphite and floral hints. Shows freshness and concentration. Drink now through 2039. 5,000 cases made. — GS $40

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2019 Chappellet Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Signature

Always a smoking value that readers shouldn't miss, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Signature sports a dense purple color to go with beautiful cassis and blueberry-like fruits as well as bouquet garni, spice, and obvious, rocky mineral-like aromas and flavors. Rich and medium to full-bodied, with notable structure and good acidity, it's going to keep for two decades in cold cellars. It's a candidate for the best Napa Cabernet under $100. 18,000 cases. $95

Jeb Dunnuck 97-99 Points
2019 Force Majeure Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain Estate

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain Estate is a stunner, and Cabernet lovers are advised to jump on this beauty. Lots of cassis, graphite, chalky minerality, and lead pencil notes soar from the glass, and it's full-bodied, with a dense, concentrated mid-palate, ripe tannins, and a great, great finish. It's a ripe, polished Cabernet that shows classic Red Mountain minerality and structure. $170

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Saturday Wine Tasting at VRW, 6/18/22 (Available 12:00 Noon-3:45 PM) $15 per person and must be 21 or older to attend.

2021 Rochioli Russian River Sauvignon Blanc

Winemaker Notes: This wine is a blend of three vineyard sites including our rare and special clone of Old Vine Sauvignon Blanc. With aromas of passion fruit, melon, and citrus tones this is a light and sophisticated Sauvignon Blanc. $50

James Suckling 94 Points
2018 Etude Carneros Estate Pinot Noir

Vivid strawberry and dried-flower aromas here with hints of sandalwood. Medium to full body with firm, creamy tannins and a tangy finish. Opulent. Tight and focused. Pumice and black and white-pepper notes. A pretty wine already, but give it a year or two to open and soften. $43

2019 The Setting Oakville
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Beautiful red and black fruits morph into a silky, rich texture that seamlessly glides across your palate. The natural bright acidity leaves you with mouthwatering memories of berries, dark chocolate, and black cherries. Skellenger Vineyard. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. 245 cases produced. $135

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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 12:00 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 10:30 AM-5:30 PM
Saturday 10:30 AM-4:00 PM


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