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
$130.00 $75.00
Even the most recent vintage I inquired about, the 2017 Austin Hope Cabernet had been snatched up in its entirety within weeks of its release date. It had been rated a 95 by Wine Enthusiast and named their #10 Best Wine of the Year. Great, I thought. We’ll never see a bottle.
But what the winery didn’t know was that as soon as Covid hit, their agreement to sell the entirety of their Austin Hope Magnums to ‘The Palm’ Steakhouses throughout the country went up in smoke.
So last week I got the call I thought would never come, but with one ‘gotcha’. “Was I still interested in the 2017 Austin Hope Cabernet?” You bet. “Only problem is … they’re magnums. Would people like them?” I replied – “We’ve never offered Magnums. Ever.” Silence. “What if they were half price to make up for it?”
I laughed to myself. Would people want a two-for-one sized bottle of the #10 Wine of the Year for $75/magnum? It’s a no-brainer.
The 2017 Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon is an absolute treat, the perfect Cabernet to enjoy with outdoor dining. It’s powerful in its youth, bursting with dark fruits and cherry cola and attacking tastebuds with gripping tannins and a sturdy acid backbone (and the big bottle) for the wine to continue to improve for many, many years to come.
95 points from Wine Enthusiast. In the interest of spreading this one around to as many as possible, we ask that you limit your Big Bottle purchases to six bottles or less.
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95 Points (#10 Wine of the Year, 2019) Wine Enthusiast
This bottling remains as impressive and delicious as it did upon debut two vintages ago. Aromas of black cherry, hickory smoke and vanilla cookie lead into a palate of brown sugar, sea salt, caramel and black-cherry foam, all framed by polished tannins and just enough acidity.
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91 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Always the one with the most personality of the bunch, this is what Wine Enthusiast had to say about the 2021 release: “This extremely ripe and bold style of Pinot Noir will please those seeking such lushness. Dark in the glass, it begins with black cherry, toasty caramel and cola milk shake aromas.” The cool, coastal days and abundance of sunshine lines up perfectly for a wine that has a good natural acidic backbone, with bold fruit-forward flavors. In an easy 2021 vintage, Joe Wagner had a field day with this single-vineyard beauty.
This is a sensational single-vineyard Merlot made from incredibly tiny clusters, full of some of the most elegant, intensely structured fruit from high atop Sonoma Mountain. Beautiful weight and balance with aromas of blueberries, black currants, sage and a hint of cocoa. It’s got a full, plush mouthfeel, pristine and vibrant fruit and a wonderful smooth finish. Thanks to Chad’s big bet on himself, he was able to make a knockout Sonoma Mountain beauty, without the need for any middleman, helping us to enjoy one of his best creations at an outstanding price.
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.”
95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck – 95 Points, Lisa Perotti-Brown
The oft 100-point winemaker, Jayson Woodbridge had this to say when tasting his 2021 ‘Stargazing’ Sonoma Pinot: “The wine is vibrant and complex with subtle dark fruits and berries, grandmother’s cherry pie, minerals, and a slight touch of rain-soaked earth, intertwined with a balance and very pleasing easy-going luxury. Should have been priced higher but what the hell.” I have no doubt this clerical error will be addressed in the vintages moving forward. But for now, this is a cult Pinot for under $100/bottle.
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