April 25th 2023 Newsletter - The Grape Tray

April 25th 2023 Newsletter

Enjoy a glass of 2020 Beringer PR Chardonnay this week at VRW for $15.

Wine Spectator 92 Points * Beringer Chardonnay Napa Valley Private Reserve 2020

Peach, apricot and mango flavors are juicy and fleshy at the core of this white, with honeyed overtones. Salted butter, spice and toasted pastry notes emerge on the finish, as does a touch of dried ginger. Drink now. 8,714 cases made. $48

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Taste 2019 and 2020 Chateau Kirwan Margaux at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Tuesday, April 25th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Enthusiast 95–97 Points
2019 Chateau Kirwan Margaux

With its new cellars, the estate is performing at top speed and this vintage keeps up the fine track record. Firm tannins and beautifully perfumed fruit are blending together to give a wine that has style as well as structured fruitiness, with all the elegance of great Margaux. Think long-term aging for this wine. ROGER VOSS. $60

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
2020 Chateau Kirwan Margaux

Lots of smoky oak, ripe blackcurrants, blueberries, tobacco, and chocolaty notes emerge from the 2020 Château Kirwan, a richly textured, medium to full-bodied Margaux. A wine that blossoms with time in the glass, it's a plush, sexy, yet brilliantly balanced 2020 offering velvety tannins and a great finish, and while the oak is preset right on opening, it integrated beautifully with air. This beauty is going to put a smile on your face any time over the coming 20-25 years. $65

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Taste Chardonnay: 2021 Rochioli Russian River Estate, 2019 Plumpjack Reserve and 2020 DuMOL Charles Heintz Isobel at Vintage Reserve Wine (VRW) for $15 per person.
Wednesday, April 26th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

2021 Rochioli Russian River Estate Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: This wine is a blend from our top Estate Chardonnay vineyards. The blend consists of fifty-six percent from the Mid-40, thirty percent from the River Block, ten percent Little Hill and four percent from Sweetwater. It is a fine example of the unique characters from our property and the Russian River Valley. Floral aromas of apple, hazelnut, vanilla and a touch of spice combine with the rich apple flavors and crisp acidity. As most know, those with the patience to cellar this wine will be rewarded. $64

2019 Plumpjack Reserve Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: The nose opens with stone fruit and mango, which gives way to lemon and lime zest with green pear. Then come floral notes of orange blossom and honeysuckle. Under all of this, there is a warm, sweet baking spice to bring even more intrigue. The palate has citrus, white peach, pomelo, and lychee flavors. The texture is reminiscent of a creamy custard with a live acidity and freshness that is balanced by a structured, almost grapefruit pithy, bite on the lengthy finish. $50

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points
2020 DuMOL Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard Isobel

Layers of tropical fruit and herbs, along with medicinal herbs and saline, are found in the 2020 Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard Isobel. The palate is rich, with compact concentration of green apple skin, lemon oil, and salty mineral earth. A long, persistent wine that is full of character, drink over the next 20 or so years. $75

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Taste 2020 Raventos i Blanc Conca del Riu Anoia, Schramsberg Brut Mirabelle 31st and Bollinger Special Cuvee at VRW for $15 per person.
Thursday, April 27th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Advocate 92 Points
2020 Raventós i Blanc Conca del Riu Anoia Brut Blanc de Blancs 2020

The impressive 2020 Blanc de Blancs comes from a catastrophic vintage when they lost a huge amount of grapes due to mildew, which forced them to purchase more grape from growers. This is very expressive, their youngest wine, from a vintage of concentration and power, a blend of 45% Xarel.lo, 40% Macabeo, 12% Parellada and 3% Malvasía de Sitges, a grape they are using to give the wine more freshness, as the variety keeps the acidity. This ages for a minimum of 18 months sur lie, but it might be more; all bottles carry the disgorgement date on the back label. This is tasty, saline and profound beyond the price point. This is the old l'Hereu, a value Cava that is now their flagship wine that showcases the complexity, freshness and depth, very much alive. 200,000 bottles.

Wine Spectator 92 Points
SCHRAMSBERG Brut North Coast Mirabelle 31st Bottling NV

Plush and expressive, featuring fresh apple and cherry flavors, with brioche and hazelnut accents that glide on the alluring finish. Drink now. 8,600 cases made.—Tim Fish. $30

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Bollinger Brut Champagne Special Cuvée NV (2022)

A graceful Champagne, with flavors of black cherry, Asian pear, toast point and salted almond dancing across the palate. Bright and buoyant, with a fine, lacy mousse and delicate notes of lime blossom, ground coffee and exotic spices playing on the finish. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Drink now. 15,000 cases imported. $90

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Wine Spectator 93 Points
ALLAN SCOTT Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Kekerengu 2022

The Key lime, dried pineapple and passion fruit flavors at the core of this white show terrific purity, with a lipsmacking mix of crunchy sea salt, toasted herb and tropical notes. Reveals intense acidity on the long finish. Drink now. 2,222 cases made.—M.W $24 Our Price $14.99 (Arrives GT 4/27/23)

Wine Spectator 91 Points
Bouchaine Pinot Noir Napa Valley Carneros Estate 2019

This is nicely rendered—compact and energetic, without being too dense or overly fruity—offering juicy red currant and raspberry notes mixed with black tea and savory hints, with everything knitting nicely through the finish. Drink now through 2026. 3,900 cases made. $40 Our Price $29.99 (Available GT and VRW 4/26/23)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
BREWER-CLIFTON Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills 2021

There's terrific focus and intensity to the bright citrus flavors at the core of this white, with yuzu, ruby grapefruit, Meyer lemon and lime zest notes, plus plenty of salty, minerally accents that add a mouthwatering minerality, followed by hints of lemon basil that linger on the finish. Drink now. 5600 cases made. From California.—MaryAnn Worobiec. $35 (Available GT and VRW)

2021 Plumpjack Reserve Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: This Chardonnay's grapes are grown in two vineyards in the Napa Valley—one in Los Carneros and the other in St. Helena. Just 30 miles apart, Los Carneros can be 10 -15 degrees cooler than St. Helena. Due to this temperature difference and essential differences, such as soil type, these two vineyard sites vary greatly in character and expression. When blended, these differences in expression add layer upon layer of flavor to the nose and palate, creating a beautiful and complex Chardonnay. $60 (Available GT and VRW)

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 93 Points
2017 Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon Cinq Cepages

The 2017 Cinq Cépages is jam-packed with inky-dark fruit, crème de cassis, chocolate, cloves and licorice. Dense and full-throttle, the Cinq packs a serious punch. The Cinq is undoubtedly racy, but not as opulent as it can be. This is a fine showing for the Cinq. $85 Our Price $72.99 (Available GT and VRW)

2021 Kistler Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: The 2021 Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay offers pure, elevated aromatics, deep underpinnings and a distinct sense of weight without being heavy. It is marked by lofted aromas of ripe yellow and green stone fruits, nuanced tones suggestive of morning white flowers that are a clear personality of the site and a broad and compact yet well-structured presence on the palate. $75 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

Wine Advocate 92 Points
2020 Raventós i Blanc Conca del Riu Anoia Brut Blanc de Blancs

The impressive 2020 Blanc de Blancs comes from a catastrophic vintage when they lost a huge amount of grapes due to mildew, which forced them to purchase more grape from growers. This is very expressive, their youngest wine, from a vintage of concentration and power, a blend of 45% Xarel.lo, 40% Macabeo, 12% Parellada and 3% Malvasía de Sitges, a grape they are using to give the wine more freshness, as the variety keeps the acidity. This ages for a minimum of 18 months sur lie, but it might be more; all bottles carry the disgorgement date on the back label. This is tasty, saline and profound beyond the price point. This is the old l'Hereu, a value Cava that is now their flagship wine that showcases the complexity, freshness and depth, very much alive. 200,000 bottles. $24 Our Price $21.99 (Available GT and VRW)

James Suckling 90 Points
Terras Gauda Abadia de San Campio Albarino 2021

A fresh and zingy albarino with sliced green apples and lime zest. Elegant on the palate with a fresh streak of acidity cutting it through, before a slightly saline finish. $20 Our Price $16.99 (Available GT and VRW)

2021 Fait Main Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: his unapologetically juicy, hedonistic wine celebrates all the corners of the Napa Valley. The nose shows rich strawberry, blackberry and chocolate notes that open up on the palate to a silky ripeness with excellent density. Velvety tannins support the full body and allow the long, fruit-filled finish to bloom. $120 (Available GT and VRW)

Wine Spectator 93 Points
RAMEY Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2020

Impressive for its intensity and purity, with juicy Honeycrisp apple, pear, peach and nectarine flavors that sing out on a fresh frame. Reveals details of lemon blossoms, dried ginger and a touch of salted melon on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2033. —M.W. $45 Our Price $34.99 (Back in stock GT and VRW)

Wine Advocate 97 Points
2021 My Favorite Neighbor Chardonnay

The 2021 Chardonnay is very ripe in style with scents of banana chip, apple pie, jasmine, allspice and brown sugar. The full-bodied palate is packed with ripe, spicy fruits and plenty of refreshing acidity, and it finishes long with a satiny, mouth-coating texture. It's an old-school style reminiscent of Napa that fans of ripe, oaked Chardonnays will enjoy. $60 Internet Price $49.95 (Available GT and VRW)

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Taste 2021 Bisci Verdicchio di Matelica, 2019 Beringer Knight’s Valley Reserve Cabernet and 2021 Fait Main Napa Cabernet at (VRW) for $15 per person.
Friday, April 28th. Available 12:00 noon -5:45 PM

Wine Spectator 91 Points
Bisci Verdicchio di Matelica 2021

Aromatic, with apple blossom and peach skin notes, this lightly zesty white reveals mouthwatering acidity, a briny streak of salinity and a pretty range of ripe Honeycrisp apple, pickled ginger and nectarine accents. Drink now through 2026. 7,226 cases made, 1,000 cases imported. $24

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points
2019 Beringer Knight’s Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Rich, softly tannic and saturated with black fruits, tobacco and dark chocolate, this full-bodied wine has a long life ahead. Ample flavors are gently but firmly held by fine-grained tannins that will need time to resolve and let more complexity shine through. Best after 2037. $50

2021 Fait Main Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: his unapologetically juicy, hedonistic wine celebrates all the corners of the Napa Valley. The nose shows rich strawberry, blackberry and chocolate notes that open up on the palate to a silky ripeness with excellent density. Velvety tannins support the full body and allow the long, fruit-filled finish to bloom. $120

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Taste 2021 Riverain Silver Eagle Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, 2017 Beringer Distinctions Napa Cabernet and 2017 Chateau St Jean Cinq Cepages at (VRW) for $15 per person.
Saturday, April 29th. Available 12:00 noon -3:45 PM

2021 Riverain Silver Eagle Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes from Thomas Rivers Brown: Offering scents of Christmas spice, cherry, cranberry, and some forest floor, the wine’s balance really shines through to a long detailed finish. More Burgundian than 2018 and 2019, this has the ethereal quality we love in Pinot Noir. We are thrilled to work with the Valdez Family and this historical site for many “Generations” to come. $82

2017 Beringer Distinctions Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: A ruby hue sets up aromas of pomegranate, crème de cassis and acai, with notes of oak, cloves and black olive. Flavors showcase blue fruit led by blueberry alongside blackberry, a bit of licorice, walnuts and hazelnut. Opulent, well-balanced and high-toned, the wine shows good depth and a distinctive, lingering finish. Built for immediate enjoyment, the ample tannins frame the possibility that the Cabernet will continue to evolve and grow more complex as it ages. Enjoy over the next decade and longer. $50

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 93 Points
2017 Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon Cinq Cepages

The 2017 Cinq Cépages is jam-packed with inky-dark fruit, crème de cassis, chocolate, cloves and licorice. Dense and full-throttle, the Cinq packs a serious punch. The Cinq is undoubtedly racy, but not as opulent as it can be. This is a fine showing for the Cinq. $85

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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
Tuesday-Friday 10:30 AM-5:30 PM
Saturday 10:30 AM-4:00 PM



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