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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
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
$45.00 $40.00
One of the newest and strictest Italian wine laws comes in Chianti, where Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Reservas now have a new leader to chase with the classification of Gran Selezione that represents the best of the best. Literally translating to “the greatest selection”, Gran Selezione is above Riserva, and made using grapes harvested only from the winery’s own vineyards, with upgraded requirements for alcohol, extract, and aging.
It has to contain at least 80% Sangiovese – all estate grown, at least 13% abv, aged for at least 30 months with 3 of those having to come in a bottle. It’s a bear– but the wines that do meet these requirements, are excellent– especially the ones that come from the beloved commune of Castelnuovo Berardenga. That’s exactly what I have today from Costello di Bossi.
Since taking over the Castello di Bossi in 1998, famous winemaker and entrepreneur Marco Bacci (Renieri) has helped overhaul the massive Castelnuovo Berardenga property into one of the region’s best once again. Having the help of superstar consultant Alberto Antonini doesn’t hurt either.
Together, the two have done amazing things, but their brand new release of Gran Selezione Chianti Classico is easily at the top of the list. A 97-point firecracker, the wine has great dark cherry, blueberry, and blackberry components, with a mixture of tea leaves, baking spices and a hint of cigar box on the nose. These are the muscular, chewy Chiantis that usually fetch a pretty penny– but Castello di Bossi’s GS is easily the highest scored, most reasonably priced of the bunch.
In stock
97 Points, James Suckling
A stunning Chianti Classico Gran Selezione that shows pure lavender and violets, in addition to riper dark cherries, tea leaves, olives, eucalyptus and spice box. Very structured and muscular on the palate, which encompasses layers of dark fruit and plenty of driving acidity to take this through to a long, chewy finish.
94 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Castello di Bossi (Renieri) is one of the headline estates from the Castelnuovo Berardenga commune of Chianti Classico. The 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is a terrific wine that unfolds to reveal pretty fruit intensity, deep layers of cherry and blackberry and a soft texture. The wine is elegant and fresh with steady fruit weight that drives the quality and length of the finish. A well-marbled steak will do nicely here.
The newly released 2019 Sueno Profundo is already drinking incredibly but is clearly just getting started. It’s jet-black to the rim with dense, layered purple and black fruits, creme de casis and a bit of coffee and cocoa on the finish. It shows great depth and boasts a mouth watering finish. What is special to me is that it’s deeply concentrated yet high toned. The 2019 vintage of Sueno Profundo has all the makings of Ry’s best one yet.
The old vines that make up the 10.5 hectare of Domaine Vavril in southern Burgundy grow in chalky granitic, sandy soil. It’s part of what make these wines so complex and expressive. Winemaker Jean-Luc Ducruix’s brilliant 2020 red Burgundy has a fine nose of ripe berries, savory spice and red flowers. On the palate, the wine is juicy yet refined, with spectacular concentration that finishes fresh with a crackling vibrancy. Roast a chicken, drink Vavril!
Winemaker Pascal Sirat consistently puts out some of the best value Bordeaux in the region but he may have outdone himself in the 2018 vintage. Just south of Pomerol, the vines at Panchille borrow deep in the soil. The resulting wines are ripe but fresh, with an aromatic complexity and stony finish usually reserved for wine twice the price. Daniel Boulud tells me it’s been the hottest bottle of wine at Bar Boulud for over a month, so I figured I’d better hurry up and secure my allocation! Don’t miss it.
This is rich, opulent, stunning Pinot Noir with a higher pH and a deeper, richer complexion than their Willamette neighbors. It’s a dead ringer for Russian River Valley. Deep red ruby color to the rim with high-toned red berry fruit soaring right out of the glass. It’s incredibly fresh with tremendous depth backed by fine tannins, bright acidity and amazing purity of fruit on the palate. It’s a finessed and elegant Pinot with just intensity and length. At this price, there’s no better Pinot in the country. That’s a fact.
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