November 26th 2022 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

November 26th 2022 Newsletter

We are open today

Grape Tray (GT)
Saturday 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW)

Saturday 12 Noon – 4:00 PM

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On Deck for wine tasting next week at VRW:

Wine Advocate 97-99 Points
2019 Opus One

Winemaker Michael Silacci commented that usually the blends are finished in January or February after the vintage. This year, with the 2019s, he was still tweaking the blend, but he did mention that this is "pretty close to the final blend."

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Opus One leaps from the glass with notes of Black Forest cake, Morello cherries, mulberries and fresh blackcurrants plus hints of licorice, wilted roses, Sichuan pepper and iron ore. Full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with juicy black, blue and red fruits, framed by velvety tannins and background freshness, finishing on a compelling earthy/mineral note. Tasted as a barrel sample, this is a truly magnificent Opus One in the making! $410.

James Suckling 100 Points
2019 Beaulieu Vineyards Georges de Latour Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Wow! The aromas to this are really exceptional, with a tangerine edge to the blackcurrants, graphite, lead pencil, flowers and wet earth. It changes all the time. So expressive and refined. Full-bodied with great intensity and depth of fruit. The ultra-fine tannins display millions of layers. The texture on the palate is superb and lasts for minutes. This is the new 1974 George de Latour, which was a legend. Real Napa Valley red here. Drinkable now, to understand it, but truly great in five to six years and onwards. $150

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Wine Spectator 94 Points
ROCHIOLI Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2020

Racy from the get-go, this delivers a delicious mix of linzer torte, blood orange and plum flavors inlaid with incense, black tea and mineral threads that add tension and range through the finish, dovetailing nicely with a pretty gloss of spicy toast. Best from 2023 through 2030. —J.M. $90 Our Price $86.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Antonio Galloni Vinous 92 Points
2020 Turley Judge Bell Zinfandel

The 2020 Zinfandel Judge Bell Vineyard is a gorgeous, translucent wine. Super-ripe red berry fruit, blood orange, mint, white pepper and exotic spice overtones all grace this super-expressive Amador Zinfandel. I would prefer to drink this over the near and medium-term, while the fruit remains juicy and forward. Drink: 2022-2032. $36 (Arrives GT 11/30/22)

2020 Turley Ueberroth Zinfandel

Winemaker Notes: Ueberroth is one of the oldest of our Zinfandel vineyards. Located just a few miles northwest of Pesenti, you can smell the Pacific Ocean air from the top of the vineyard hill. These ungrafted, head-trained vines are planted on very steep limestone slopes. The high pH of the soil makes for a very high-acid wine, elevating the ripe fruit flavors from this historic certified organic vineyard. $60 (Arrives GT 11/30/22)

2018 Pont Neuf La Vogue Russian River Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes: Aromas of sweet earth, red fruits, leather, truffles, and Porcini mushrooms remind us of a forager’s basket. Leafy forest floor, aromatic spices and fresh cut wood are well integrated and become appetizing accents. The fruit flavors of “La Vouge” also come from a walk in the woods; wild berries, currants, cherries, and Damson plums with their soft, sweet flesh and perfectly balanced acidity. $65 (Back in stock GT 11/30/22)

2019 Pont Neuf Pont Royal Russian River Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: The 2019 Pont Royal reveals a brilliant clarity both in appearance and focused flavors. Consistent vineyard characters show in the forward citrus, fresh peach, custard and honied beeswax, hallmark traits of this vineyard. The texture is crisp, with a satisfying texture and great persistence of flavors. Pont Royal is a chameleon; one moment floral and lilting, bold, rich and deep the next. French oak takes a back seat to the fruit, adding nuanced aromas of toasted brioche and fine structure to the wine. We employed 80% new oak from the Vosges forest, aged 4 years, contributing the delicate toast and vanilla aromas and playing perfectly with bright citrus fruit. Barrel-fermented, aged on the lees and bottled un-fined and unfiltered, this natural fermentation showcases the vineyard and the vintage. 90 cases produced. $65 (Back in stock 11/30/22)

Wine Spectator 92 Points
RIDGE Geyserville Alexander Valley 2020

Deeply structured and briary, with a mix of red and black fruit accented by licorice, dill and savory underbrush flavors. Finishes with medium-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Carignan, Petite Syrah, Alicante Bouschet and Mataro. Drink now through 2030. 8,900 cases made. — TF $50. Internet Price $44.99 (Back in stock GT 11/30/22)

OwenBargreen.com 93 Points
2020 Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel

The outstanding 2020 Ridge Vineyards ‘Lytton Springs’ Red Wine is a blend of 79% Zinfandel with 11% Petite Sirah and 10% Carignane. The beautiful red florals on the nose with potpourri, white pepper and ripe red fruits that mingle with shades of smoked brisket. The palate is plush and soft with a seamless mouthfeel and very lengthy finish. This has both the stuffing and finesse to cellar well for at least another decade.” -Owen Bargreen (August 2022) $50 (Back in stock GT 11/30/22)

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points
2019 Alma de Cattleya Sonoma County Red Blend

Lots of ripe blackberries, peppery herbs, and assorted meaty notes emerge from the deep purple 2019 Red Wine, which offers medium to full body, a kiss of iron and minerality on the palate, ripe tannins, and a great finish. This is one heck of a delicious, textured red to enjoy over the coming 4-6 years or so. $27 (Back in stock GT 11/30/22)

2019 Darioush Signature Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: The hallmark of Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon is its seamlessness, the result of decades of meticulous vineyard management of our cooler climate, Southern Napa Valley sites. Our estate vineyards in the Mount Veeder and Napa Valley AVAs have hit their stride, producing fruit with splendid concentration, compelling freshness, and graceful complexity. The final composition strikes a tightrope balance of energy, structure, and restraint; our flagship wine rewards with extraordinary depth and poise. $140 Our Price $125.99 (Available GT and VRW)

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
2019 Dalla Valle Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Including 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a hidden gem. While the Maya gets all the attention, the classic Cabernet Sauvignon from this team is insanely good, year-in, year-out. The 2019 sports a dense purple color as well as quintessential Cabernet notes of cassis, black raspberries, flowers, toasted spices, and tobacco leaf. The purity of fruit is incredible, it’s full-bodied, has silky tannins, and flawless balance. It has 30 years of prime drinking ahead of it. $300 (Available GT) Limited

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Taste 2017 The Paring Red, 2021 Silver Ghost Napa Cabernet and 2018 Janzen Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Cabernet Sauvignon at (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, November 26th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 91 Points
2017 The Paring Red

The Paring's Red overdelivers big time in 2017, as it so often does. A burst of dark red fruit tobacco, menthol, leather and spice open up first. Juicy and ample, with tons of voluptuousness, the 2017 is so expressive today. Hints of tobacco, cedar, licorice and grilled herbs add layers of aromatic complexity. $25

2021 Silver Ghost Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: Silver Ghost is a full-bodied, rich and expressive Cabernet Sauvignon crafted from some of the finest vineyards in the Napa Valley. Deep in color, aromas of blueberry, crème de cassis and plum leap from the glass. On the palate Silver Ghost offers layers of red and black fruit intermingled with mocha, toast and a savory spice. The luxurious texture and depth continue through the long finish. $45

Jeb Dunnuck 97+ Points
2018 Bacio Divino Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard reveals a dense purple/blue color to go with more closed, backward (yet classic Missouri Hopper) notes of chocolaty dark fruits, tobacco leaf, espresso roast, and a hint of violets. Beautiful on the palate, it's a powerhouse that offers a monster mouthfeel, ripe, silky tannins, and a great finish. Despite all its concentration, it stays nicely balanced and has a wonderful sense of freshness, which is the hallmark of the 2018 vintage. This beauty will evolve for 25+ years. $165

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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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