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
$135.00 $99.00
One of the best winemakers in Rioja, Benjamin has continuous won over critics and wine lovers alike with his incredible Rioja blends that take a modern approach on the classical Tempranillo winemaking style.
His flagship wine, the ‘Carmen’ Gran Reserva is an homage to Benjamin’s mother who loved the traditional wines, with a classic label. The wine is easily one of the best modern-traditional or traditional-modern Riojas, combining the bright floral aromas with spice and subtle complexities. His wines are consistently mentioned amongst the biggest names in all Spain such as Dominio del Pinugs. Just read what the Wine Advocate had to say about the winemaker below…
“One of the most memorable days in Rioja was spending an afternoon in the company of the inimitable Benjamin Romeo, the tour de force behind Bodega Contador. We flitted from one patch of twisted ancient vines to another, mainly around the medieval village of San Vincente, Romeo again and again propounding his mantra that terroir creates great wine. This involved one perilous drive through vegetation as thick as the Amazon until the 4×4 exited into a parcel of century-old, gnarly Tempranillo vines (upon which he mentioned that they were far more accessible on foot).
Benjamin himself comes across as an intense, passionate, uncompromising winemaker, a little distant and apprehensive at first, but warming to someone who is patently interested in terroir. Bodega Contador is certainly a slick operation, fastidious down to the last detail, resulting in a set of sumptuous, silky smooth, curvaceous Rioja wines that are seductive, yet deserve considerable cellaring.”
“I tasted an impressive portfolio of wines from Benjamín Romeo, one of the best I can remember, with Contador going back to the elegance and Chambolle-like purity that I remember from vintages like 2000, but cleaner and more focused. The more traditional Carmen shows how the modern and traditional styles can coexist and even converge. Bravo Benjamín!” – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Out of stock
96+ Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
The classic take on Rioja from Benjamín Romeo is the 2010 Carmen Gran Reserva and it blends all of the traditional red grapes: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo. It fermented in oak vats with indigenous yeasts and matured in oak barrels for two years, plus a further three years getting polished in bottle. This is a wine inspired by the old Rioja wines produced with the know-how and experience from Benjamín Romeo. It takes some time to open up, but it slowly unfurls with aromas of some herbal hints, tobacco, nuts and spices, with a touch of cherries in liqueur (there is some 10% Garnacha); there are also flowers, sour cherries, subtle balsamic, with notes of camphor and a hint of cured meat… There are more and more aromas coming out of the glass–a chameleon of a nose, a wine to smell and smell. The palate is simply stunning. Gobsmacking balance and precise, focused flavors, subtle, integrated acidity and an eternal finish. This is just superb. And the price, even if it’s not low, is also great for the quality it delivers.
An amazing, once in a blue moon shot at acquiring all three of the single-vineyard Pinot Noirs from the family behind Caymus at a buyers-only price of $120 (27% OFF). Each single-vineyard in the Wagner portfolio is very different– each with unique soil, climate, region and even Pinot Noir clone. Each is from the 2021 vintage and is new and yet to be scored. Not to worry though, these always rack up big scores and Las Alturas was just #11 wine of the Year from Wine Enthusiast in addition to a 96-pt score. The 2021 single-vineyards are sure to rack up the big scores they always do– but we don’t have the luxury of waiting. Now’s the time for an awesome collector’s opportunity. Pinot and Caymus lovers, rejoice!
99 Points, James Suckling – 96 Points (Cellar Selection), Wine Enthusiast
“The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello is a more Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, and the balance Cabernet Franc, all hitting 13.7% alcohol. As usual, it was aged in new American oak. It shows the higher Cabernet component and is deep purple-hued and tight and closed, with a primordial vibe to its dark blue and black fruit, smoked tobacco, vanilla bean, graphite, and cedarwood aromatics. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has terrific overall balance, building, ripe tannins, a good sense of freshness, and outstanding length. It reminds me slightly of the 2018 with its more elegant, streamlined profile, but I expect this to build with bottle age, and it should have 2-3 decades of overall longevity.” – Jeb Dunnuck
Fresh off its feature as one of Wine Spectator’s ‘Exciting California Values Under $25’, winemaker Matt Cline looks to stay hot with his release of the 2019 Contra Costa Zinfandel. This one is a beauty crafted off old-vines that are now between 110-140 years in age. There’s a ton of darker fruits that drive this one with a dusting of baking spice. The fruit is pure, fresh and long making it both delicious on its own or terrific with a burger, BBQ ribs, or grilled leg of lamb. Crazy cheap for what is in the bottle, load up!
Chad’s 2020 McKinley Springs Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is drop dead gorgeous and actually makes zero sense at all at this price. Dark purple to the rim with aromas of black fruits, violets, creme de cassis and a hint of spice. On the palate, full-bodied, round and juicy with elegance and the gorgeous, pure fruit– red and black currants, blackberries and a touch of sweet tobacco. It’s a delicious bottle of Cab.
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