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
$12.00 $9.99
By now you’re all well aware of our new superstar winemaking connect, Bibi Graetz who first burst onto the scene in 2000. But it wasn’t until last year that we managed to secure some of his delicious, high-scoring Tuscans blends.
An artist by birth, he soon realized that the land he owned was on prime real estate– around his house grew some of the most mature Sangiovese vineyards (he calls them gardens) in the country – a few parcels a staggering 85 years old now. With contracts about to expire, Bibi had to decide whether to renew or take them over. Luckily, he chose the latter. Then he made an even better decision when he brought in (now rockstar) winemaker – Antinori Antonini.
The two set out to create the very best expression of the vineyards they possibly could. The bottling would be called Testamatta and would be 100% garden Sangiovese – which was not allowed by the powers that be. But Bibi doesn’t care about the rules, so he continues doing what he does best.
His 2019 Cassamatta Rosato is another 100% Sangiovese ala many of the reds. It’s a refreshing, delicate Rosato that boats vibrant notes of cherries and wild strawberries with a honeysuckle finish. This is a well-balanced and wonderfully enjoyable price. Since these are the last of Bibi’s cases from the 2019 vintage, we were given an exceptional price as a thank you.
Out of stock
94 Points, Wine Spectator – 92 Points, James Suckling – 92 Points, Vinous – 91 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
Just like in 2007, they sensed something special with the 2016 vintage and decided to release it late, waiting for all the wine’s components to come together. Some would call it a bold move, but those folks haven’t tasted this one. I have. It’s so good, I wouldn’t question a single thing they did. Not only that, but it gives us a chance to lock into one of the last great 2016s and do so at a price you wouldn’t believe considering all the big scores and pedigree attached.
100 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“Paolo di Marchi’s leaving present to Tuscany is this delightful 2019 Isole e Olena Cepparello. Cepparello is a blend of Sangiovese from different vineyards, selected by Di Marchi on the basis of “the best exposure, elevation, soil, genetics and age. I feel this adds complexity.” The first vintage was in 1980 when 100% Sangiovese was not permitted under the Chianti Classico rules. Those rules have since changed but the wine remains an IGT Toscana. It has a supremely enticing nose with cream and exotic spice, reminding me of Arabian spice markets. With the 2019 there is an added precision to the aromas, less heavy oak, and no greenness on the palate. It is concentrated with a rich velvety texture but without any heaviness and with a gentle unforced quality. The tannins are fine and very well integrated, in fact finer and better integrated than even the excellent 2016 vintage. It is of course very young now but it’s almost too delicious not to drink! Supremely graceful, it just gets better and better.” – Lisa Perotti-Brown
96 Points, Kerin O’Keefe
2018 was a return to normal for Montalcino and a vintage that’s considered “classic”. Unsurpringly, it is Caprili who is once again the little guy making some of the biggest noise with a thunderous 96-point review from Wine Enthusiast’s long-time Italian expert, Kerin O’Keefe. She highlighted the wines’ “quintessential aromas of classically crafted Brunello” which she described as “dancing across the palate” then she concluded by calling the wine “elegant, delicious and already approachable.”
97 Pts, Jeb Dunnuck – 96 Pts, James Suckling
The 2016 Vigna del Lago may last forever, seriously. I was pretty stunned upon tasting. This is cellar worthy wine, obvious to anyone on the very first sip. The tannin is so structural, that this wine may very well still be drinking well 30+ years for now. Not something you can say very often. But it also has enough primary fruit that it can still be enjoyed from 2024 onward.
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