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
$75.00 $40.00
2021 was a hot draught year where the mountain AVAs in Napa were in the best position to thrive. With their higher elevations and cooler temperatures, growing seasons were extended and complexity and concentration went through the roof. Almost uniformly, the wineries with holdings in the most coveted mountain sub-regions turned out deep, powerful wines infused with dark fruit cores and sumptuous tannins. Most commanded $75+/bottle. But luckily, I have Pritchard Hill winemaker Ry Richards on speed dial.
A Nicholas Wines favorite, Ry capitalized on the power and potential of mountain Cabernet in 2021. His newest release is easily the best he’s ever fared with his Carl Roy Atlas Peak bottling. It’s a tiny lot – just 170 cases were produced – but it was enough that Ry could still cook up something special. He crafted a wound-up, wildly complex wine that demands attention (and a big Bordeaux glass if you have one).
The 2021 Atlas Peak Cabernet is a classic. It’s black in color, with a dynamic nose of cassis, cedar, and chocolate-tinged purple fruit. The wine is fabulously concentrated with a firm, solid finish that speaks to its potential for considerable aging. Ry hit this one out of the park.
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The secret to Philippe’s tightly wound, complex Pinot Noir is a combo of ancient vines, natural farming techniques, and low yields. The wines are built to age, with incredible tension and length. And the secret to me securing his other-wordly 2017 old-vine Gevry-Chambertin can be chalked up to a great relationship and over a decade supporting superior Burgundian winemaking. The wine is scary good. The nose is wild, filled with spiced dark raspberries, red flowers, and baking spices. The palate is elegant and racy, with a dynamic tension that runs right through its minute-long finish. This is a high-toned, wound-up Pinot, that is starting to hit its prime and is really turning out to be a ‘must-have’ for true Burgundy lovers.
95 Points, James Suckling – 94 Points, Wine Spectator – 93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
The new release is here from outstanding winemaking team of Michel Rolland, Charles Thomas, Andy Erickson and David Jelenik. This one always represents one of the best quality-to-price ratios in all of Napa Cab and in the stellar 2021 vintage, this really stands out as one of the best the Valley has to offer. It’s a racy mix of Coombsville fruit from Atlas Peak that absolutely roars out of the bottle. Always one of Napa’s great bargains and a must have even as the price starts to sneak up here a little bit.
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.
Anne Sery describes her Trousse Chemise Cabernets as an ode to the Left Bank and her winemaking roots. It’s a beautiful and fresh Cabernet with aromas that leap from the glass with of black raspberry, violets, and creme de liquor notes. The mouth gives generous amounts of juicy black fruits at the core with hints of baking spice and a smooth, savory finish. This is a terrific partner for just about anything from hard cheese, to poultry, summer salads, you name it!