Wine Tasting This Week at VRW:

Ulrich Sautter 96+ Points

2021 Kinero Royal Nonsuch Farms Red

Dark ruby-coloured, almost opaque. On the nose, continual fruity aromas of violet lozenge, elderberry and blackberry, but also wild plum, raspberry, and pear cordial, with cocoa bean and subtle wood notes. The palate initially opens with powerful alcohol, but then reveals nuanced, finely dissolving sandy tannins, ripe, quite natural acidity and a delicately fruity finish. 

$65

JEB DUNNUCK 96 POINTS

2022 Herman Story Casual Encounters

Based on 45% Mourvèdre, 42% Syrah, and 13% Grenache and aged in 80% new French oak for 24 months, the 2022 Casual Encounters is a beauty. Ripe red and black fruits, peppery garrigue, cedary spice, and herbes de Provence all emerge from this appealing effort. Round and medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has ripe, integrated tannins and a great finish. This will give many a top Châteauneuf-du-Pape a run for its money over the coming decade. Drink 2025-2035. 

$70

 Wine Enthusiast 91 Points

2023 Baby Blue Sonoma Blanc

This Sauvignon Blanc- dominated blend is lively and fresh, with loads of honeysuckle and ripe peach aromas from the Viognier mingling with classic grapefruit and lime elements. The palate is rich, with some Sémillon adding structure and breadth. 

$28

JEB DUNNUCK 96 POINTS

2022 Herman Story Nuts and Bolts Syrah

Darker berries, peppery herbs, sappy underbrush, game, and bouquet garni notes all soar from the 2022 Nuts & Bolts, another ripe, powerful wine in the lineup. All Syrah from a mix of York, Slide Hill, Chelle Mountain, and White Hawk vineyards, it has a round, layered, elegant mouthfeel, polished yet building tannins, and a great finish. It's a classic Russell From Syrah that holds onto a beautiful, almost cool climate-inspired style. 

$67

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points

2023 Calera Central Coast Pinot Noir

The 2023 Pinot Noir is seamless and supple in vanilla, dark cherry, and a twist of earthy forest, sourced from several vineyards in San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara. Long lasting, fresh, and approachable, it has full-bodied weight and breadth supported by supple tannins and spiced oak. 

$25

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points

2023 Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

The 2023 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast is a medium ruby color and is fresh on the nose with notes of lifted spice, compact red berries, Bing cherries, roses, and sweet herbs. The palate is medium-bodied, with a polished and fine texture, a silky feel, and clean elegance through the finish. It’s a lovely and charming Pinot Noir with a lot of finesse to drink over the coming 8-10 years. 

$50

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points

2021 Roar Rosella’s Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

The 2021 Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard brings a more concentrated, serious feel and offers ripe mulberry and cherry fruit as well as scorched earth, graphite, and minerality, with nicely integrated oak. It's medium-bodied, concentrated, and focused, with a beautiful mouthfeel. It needs 2-3 years in the cellar (you'd be forgiven for enjoying a bottle today) and will evolve nicely over the following decade. 

$80

2022 Decoy Limited Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes:  Crafted using grapes from some of the most acclaimed Paso Robles vineyards, including our own estate property, this classically styled wine showcases robust complexity with plush tannins, luxurious layers of black raspberry and blueberry, and French-oak inspired hints of vanilla bean and baking spices. 

$30

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James Suckling 94 Points

2022 Buena Vista Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Expressive and lush nose of creamy berries, dark cherries, vanilla, cassis and sweet oak spices. Full body with fine, creamy tannins. Rich and full of generous creamy berries and an equally demonstrative and dense finish with excellent length.  

$40

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points

2022 Shafer TD-9 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

A full-bodied while refined Cabernet Sauvignon, the TD9 cuvée delivers the strength and generosity so characteristic of Shafer wine. Aromas and flavors of cassis, ripe blackberries and freshly cracked pine fill the mouth, leading into a lengthy and expressive finish of graphite and warming spices. 

$85

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points

2022 Shafer One Point Five Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Dripping ripe plums and other dark fruits are spun through with aromas of cracked pine and pitch for a complex Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa icon, Shafer Vineyards. Succulent and mouthwatering with melting tannins and a persistent finish, this is a wine with plenty of potential to age.

 $115

 

2022 Staglin Salus Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes:  With voluptuous, dark fruit and velvety smooth tannins the 2022 Salus Cabernet Sauvignon is a decadent pleasure. Aromatics open with crushed violets, supple leather, and heady vanilla. The palate reveals dense and luscious kirsch chocolate and vanilla bean over secondary layers of bay leaf, pencil shavings, and warm winter spices. A racy freshness and espresso crema texture counterbalance the opulent flavors and bring harmony to the experience. While this wine will age gracefully for decades, it is one of our offerings most ready for enjoyment immediately upon release! 

$115

Wine Spectator 93 Points

Roederer Estate Brut Anderson Valley NV

Dynamic yet sleekly elegant, with rich strawberry and apple flavors that are accented by spiced cinnamon and yeast roll as this dances toward the vibrant finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Drink now through 2026. 85,000 cases made. 

$32

Moet and Chandon Nectar Imperial

Winemaker Notes:  An intense color with bold yellow and golden highlights. A burst of exotic fruits (pineapple, mango). The roundness of stonefruits (mirabelle plum, apricot). A slight hint of vanilla.  The captivating density of exotic fruits (pineapple, mango). The silky firmness of stonefruits (mirabelle plum, apricot). The brisk freshness of grapefruit notes. 

$70

 

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points

Delamotte Le Mesnil sur Oger depuis Brut

Based on the 2018 vintage, the NV Champagne Brut is 60% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, and 5% Meunier. Fresh and inviting aromas of white flowers, ripe pear, and quince are followed by a ripe, medium-bodied wine on the palate. Juicy up front and through the long finish, it delivers wonderfully ripe fruit and purity without feeling harsh. It’s ready to drink now or over the next 5-7 years. They have been gradually increasing the proportion of Chardonnay in the blend and decreasing the Meunier. 8 grams per liter of dosage. 

$75

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