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
$26.00 $22.00
Josh Jensen learned from the best on his way to building his iconic brand. The American wine pioneer and founder of Calera, spent years in Burgundy learning from some of the best before starting his own winery in the Central Coast of California. His mentors told him that in order to grow great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, you had to find limestone soil, so Josh spent the next two years going up and down California looking for just that.
About 100 miles south of San Francisco he found a limestone rich parcel near Mt. Harlan that caught his eye after nearly two full years searching. He purchased a small plot and began planting. In his first few years, he made only Zinfandel from other peoples’ vineyards in order to fund his winemaking. Then, when his Burgundian plantings began to bear fruit, that was all she wrote.
Robert Parker famously said “Calera is one of the most compelling Pinot Noir specialists of not only the New World, but of Planet Earth.” Josh has was recognized by Wine Spectator in 2013 as the Cover photo and the featured article. His wines have been turning heads for decades now.
His Chardonnays are made in the style of Burgundy, thanks to Josh’s special DRC training. From top to bottom, his white wines shine as high-toned, expressive Chardonnays ala a Vire Clese. They always receive big press, though the 2020 just came out recently, so it hasn’t been scored yet. We’ve heard that Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast and others will chime in. These are great wines to snag while we have them in.
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95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2018 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard marks the beginning of winemaker Joe Nielsen’s tenure at the winery. Pouring a medium yellow with a light golden hue, it’s most reserved of the flight aromatically at the moment, with yellow chamomile flowers, ripe peach, beeswax, and white flowers. Full-bodied, it retains excellent tension and focus on the palate, with apricot, orange zest, and a savory finish with a bit of spice. I suspect this will come around and open with time. Drink 2024-2030.” -Jeb Dunnuck
Gold Medal (Best in Show), 2023 Mundus Vini International Tasting
The area has also been isolated from the rest of Spain for generations, which has kept the wine prices far lower than wines of this quality would be anywhere else in the world. That’s why, despite having the Torres family name on the bottle and the consistent huge press (including the Gold Medal & Best in Show at the 2023 Mundus Vini International Wine Awards in Germany), these wines can still be scooped up for under $20/bottle. It’s like the Sancerre pricing of yesteryear.
The 2016 vintage in Napa was nearly perfect for winemaker Kian Tavakoli (Opus One, Clos du Val). With ideal weather all throughout harvest, he crafted the Faustini Money Road Chardonnay off the famous vineyard located in the coveted Oakville AVA. The picturesque vineyard off Oakville Crossroad is platinum rated, known for its ideal combination of soil & climate and the big A list names that routinely source fruit. Kian’s Money Road Chard is still youthful despite having a few years of age, probably as a result of its 18 months of slumber in 1/4 new Oak.
93 Points, Decanter
Of course, the Trefethens’ Chardonnay history is well documented. It dates back to the Judgement of Paris and the 1979 Wine World Olympics hosted by the French publication Gault & Millau, where their Chardonnay finished first overall. That pursuit of excellence is still just as strong as ever, as evidenced by the family’s most recent Chardonnay bottling. It’s a 93-point beauty that absolutely dazzles, especially at its incredibly modest price tag.
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