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
$85.00 $65.00
Ca la Bionda’s brilliant single vineyard Amarone, Ravazzol, is at the top of my list for hoarding. It’s an incredible wine each vintage and unsurprisingly in the fabulous 2016 vintage it comes with a huge score.
Most Amarone that comes across my desk is a poor imitation of Port …. alcoholic, blowsy, way over the top. But Alessandro Castellani’s Amarone is something different all together. It’s big wine for sure, massive even. But it is the rare Amarone that is aromatically complex, with intense aromas of blackberries, anise and Asian spices. It’s wine for the table, a powerful, blockbuster of a wine, with a dense mid-palate, loaded with dark berries with a touch of bitter dark chocolate. Finish goes forever.
“Brothers Alessandro and Nicola Castellani of Ca’ La Bionda really seem to be onto something in Valpolicella Classico, but it’s not about appassimento. In fact, the style they are working toward and the message that they are trying to communicate is one of purity and a reliance on terroir and fruit to create Valpolicella Superiore of importance. Frankly speaking, you can’t travel in winemaker circles throughout the region without hearing about the wines that are being reared in these cellars. The winery and vineyards are located in Marano di Valpolicella within the Classico zone, and while this family continues to produce traditional Amarone, Ripasso and Recioto, Alessandro Castellani believes that the category of Valpolicella Superiore is what will prove the worth of the region. What’s more, these blending’s of Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Molinara are made without the use of any dried grapes or Ripasso. While most of the world thinks of Valpolicella as a fruity expression with near-term appeal, this house is instead aiming to deliver a wine with a ten-to-twenty-year life span. Simply look at the current release of the 2010 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Casalvegri Decennale, a wine that spent ten years maturing in 30-hectoliter oak cask, and yet emerges with remarkable freshness. It also pays to check out their varietal Corvina, another pure yet deep expression that tempts the imagination. Or the Bianco del Casal, an old vine blend of Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave that looks to show what can be done with these varieties outside of Soave. Having said all of that, Ca’ La Bionda also happens to be making some of the best Amarone in the region as well, in a more finessed and savory style than most, and the wine speaks for itself. Let’s just say that I’m very excited to see what the future will bring.” -Vinous
Out of stock
95+ Points, Vinous
The 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Ravazzol dazzles with a vivid and exotic mix, as crushed rocks blow off to reveal bright cherries with autumnal spices and dusty rose. Its velvety-smooth yet energetic, with tart mineral-tinged berries giving way to cocoa, tobacco and exotic spice that saturates. While sweet on the nose, this is more savory on the palate and flinty through the finale, turning lightly structured and lingering incredibly long yet pure with the prettiest of red florals. Wow; the 2016 is finessed, delicate, feminine and communicates beautiful harmony. Lose some in your cellar.
Ca la Bionda’s brilliant single vineyard Amarone, Ravazzol, is at the top of my list for hoarding.
Pair with any classic winter dish, from beef stews to roasted game or after the meal, with walnuts and aged cheeses.
95 Points, Wine Spectator – 94 Points, Robert Parker
Chateau Lafite Rothschild is one of only four First Growth Bordeaux and one of the rarest bottles in the world to get your hands on. In the 2002 vintage, Chateau Lafite Rothschild is one of only a handful of bottles you absolutely need in your cellar. Bordeaux’s most famous critic, American journalist Robert Parker, Jr. called the wine, “A brilliant offering and a candidate for wine of the vintage, this is classic Lafite.” This one is an all-timer, and a Bordeaux collector’s dream.
Winemaker Kian Tavakoli (Opus One, Clos du Val) continues to excel even while others struggle. In 2017, he still managed to deliver a beautiful and opulent Napa Valley Cabernet that’s both dark and juicy. The wine hails from both Coombsville and Rutherford, giving it distinct characteristics and a lot of drive. Deep ruby to the rim with excellent concentration, notes of Bing cherries, raspberry pie and hints of vanilla. On the palate, big wonderfully jammy fruit with young but impressive tannins and great length. The finish leaves notes of black cherry, and baked blueberry pie. Fantastic Napa value.
95 Points, Vinous
“The 2021 Syrah-Grenache is another fabulous wine from Tyler and Rachel Eck. Bright, savory, and vibrant, the 2021 bristles with energy from the get go. Lively acids run through a core of blue/purplish fruit, lavender, cloves and menthol. The 2021 is deep and full of flavor yet also light on its feet. Today, it is positively stellar.” -Antonio Galloni
For the first time, we have the 2021 Abbona Dolcetto Langhe in house. This is a fantastic and fun bottle to enjoy on it’s own, but it is also a showstopper with pizza. Made for those who love their wines with inky dark fruit, this boasts a jet black color with aromas of black cherry, blackberries and baked cake spice. The Langhe Dolcetto is the product of extremely low-yielding but highly concentrated juice that comes from the younger vines of her Estate. Incredibly fun to drink and to smell — it’s also what some would argue is the best compliment to a good pizza pie with some meat on it!
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