Orders are available for pick-up at Restaurant Nicholas at 160 Route 35 South Red Bank, NJ 07701 during the following times:
Monday: 9:30-3:30; Tuesday – Friday: 9:15am – 9:00pm; Saturday: 11:00am – 9:00pm; Sunday: Closed
$65.00 $54.99
Alain Voge was referred to by his peers as “truly remarkable” and “the ultimate pioneer.” He was known for leading the way not only in Cornas but also for his St-Peray wines as well. It’s hard enough to be a star in one region, let alone another that’s completely different. Tragically, he passed away a few years ago.
One of the ‘grandfathers of Syrah,’ Voge had an illustrious wine career during his 81-year life. He somehow managed to greatly expand the already stellar reputation of his grandfather (same name) who founded the winery all those years ago.
I had a chance to taste some of the recent Alain Voge selections, which were unfortunately the last ever made by the iconic winemaker.
It’s amazing how powerful the wines are. It’s even more amazing how perfectly chiseled and representative they are to their unique Northern Rhone terroir.
The ‘Les Chailles’ is no slouch of its own, though, and has to be the very best bargain going in Cornas at the moment. The wine is gorgeous – super juicy and sappy, but still incredibly fresh and in no way overly ripe. It also has layers to unpack – a calling card of the late, great master of Syrah – with a little bit of spice and smokiness that comes in at the end as a result of some of the whole cluster maceration. What a beauty!
In stock
94 Points, Wine Spectator
Dark and alluring yet also pretty, with expressive violet, dried lavender and blackberry paste built atop an underlying freshness. Concentrated on the palate, with balsamic, black pepper and subtle iodine building on the meaty, plump character. A beam of iron and firming tannins dry out the finish, though this is drinking great now. Drink now through 2032.
94 Points, James Suckling
Deep, brilliant ruby. Vibrant, smoke-accented dark berries, candied flowers, licorice and olive are showcased on the perfumed nose. Sappy, penetrating and chewy in the mouth, offering gently sweet blackberry, cherry-cola and baking spice flavors that show sharp definition and mineral lift. Expressive and lively in style, with polished tannins building steadily on a very long, floral-accented finish. Roughly 20% whole clusters.
The secret to Philippe’s tightly wound, complex Pinot Noir is a combo of ancient vines, natural farming techniques, and low yields. The wines are built to age, with incredible tension and length. And the secret to me securing his other-wordly 2017 old-vine Gevry-Chambertin can be chalked up to a great relationship and over a decade supporting superior Burgundian winemaking. The wine is scary good. The nose is wild, filled with spiced dark raspberries, red flowers, and baking spices. The palate is elegant and racy, with a dynamic tension that runs right through its minute-long finish. This is a high-toned, wound-up Pinot, that is starting to hit its prime and is really turning out to be a ‘must-have’ for true Burgundy lovers.
90 Points, Wine Spectator
Domaine Jaume Vinsobres Altitude 420 is an old-vine Grenache-Syrah blend from vineyards planted in Les Collines at some of the highest points in the Rhône. The Jaumes have farmed these dizzying elevations at their estate in Vinsobres for 100+ years. The 2020 is one of his best yet, pristine and fresh, a bowl full of berried-up fruit yet with the tension and length that belies its humble price. Incredible bang for the buck, tailor-made for anyone’s house red, and a slam dunk for any kind of meat on the bone.
100 Pts, International Wine Report – 98 Pts, Parker’s Wine Advocate – 98 Pts, James Suckling
“The 2020 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is truly sensational. It begins with striking aromas of fresh blackberries, blueberries and dark plums that are laced with fresh spring florals, mocha, sweet exotic spices, graphite and gravel nuances all taking shape. The palate is full-bodied and displays a remarkable combination of power and elegance throughout. This is beautifully structured and extremely expressive, as it possesses outstanding depth and concentration all they way through the long, finessed finish. Year after year, the Columbia Valley Cabernet is one of the most impressive wines, and there is no exception here, as it combines all the wonderful qualities of the 2020 vintage from Quilceda Creek into one expression. This is fantastic already and readers will be in for a real treat, as this simply marvelous wine will continue to deliver the goods for years to come.”
#24 Wine of the Year (2022), Wine Spectator
92 Points, Wine Spectator – 91 Points, James Suckling
“This supple red shows a core of cherry and plum fruit allied to olive, juniper and tobacco notes. Delivers well-integrated tannins and acidic structure, lingering nicely on the finish.”