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
$65.00
James Suckling (of Wine Spectator fame) said “If you ever wanted a Brunello di Montalcino for your cellar to age for decades, then buy the 2016 vintage when the wines come out in the market in January 2021.” He also declared it (along with it’s less ageworthy predecessor) to be the greatest vintage of all time.
But with all these critical accolades – are the 2016s really worth it? Here’s how Vinous framed it: “But now the big question is: Do the 2016s live up to our expectations? Oh, yes; they certainly do.”
But what’s really behind the critical fascination is not the quality – though it’s overflowing – it’s their belief that they’ve never tasted a vintage in their lifetimes that has this sort of aging potential. This vintage is one of those rarest of occurrences, where the forces of nature perfectly aligned to create wine of historic proportions.
So the question with the 2016s isn’t quality – it’s going to be price and access to these highly-sought after bottles. I’ve got a few very interesting things coming down the pipeline (including some direct imports opportunities) but none is more exciting than today’s Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino 2016
Out of stock
99 Points, James Suckling
The complexity and beauty to this is really something with cherry, walnut, tobacco and cigar-box character. Sweet cherries. It’s full-bodied and deep with super intensity and power. Layered and beautiful. Really refined tannins. Some whole-berry fermentation gives this added character. Goes on for minutes. Try after 2025.
94 Points, Wine Advocate
The Castiglion del Bosco 2016 Brunello di Montalcino is a fruit-forward expression with soft cherry, blackberry, tilled earth and a touch of sweet spice. This wine is made in an especially accessible style that prizes ripe fruit and oak aging (in both barrique and botte). Fruit comes from a 52-hectare vineyard with galestro schist and clay. The tannins are more evident here compared to the 2015 vintage; however, this wine is almost ready to go with beef tagliata topped with porcini mushrooms.
100 Pts, Lisa Perotti-Brown (Wine Independent) – 98 Pts, James Suckling – 98 Pts, Parker’s Wine Advocate
“Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose slowly unfurls to unveil beguiling floral notes of candied violets and rose oil over a core of creme de cassis, blackberry pie, and plum preserves, giving way to notions of licorice, Indian spices, iron ore, and crushed rocks. Full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with taut, muscular black fruit layers, intertwined with gorgeous floral and exotic spice accents, and framed by firm, finely grained tannins with seamless freshness, finishing long and mineral-laced. Tightly coiled with so much latent energy waiting to explode, this is a spectacular expression of the vintage and Napanook vineyard. Still tightly coiled, give it a good 6-7 years in the cellar before broaching, and allow it a few hours in a decanter if consumed before 2032.”
94 Points, Decanter – 93 Points, Parker’s Wine Advocate – 93 Points, James Suckling
Massolino’s inaugural effort is superb. Typical of the very finest Nebbiolo, floral elements dominate the nose, here violets & rose with a touch of dark candy sweetness. The tannins are obvious but supple and refined, making this wine a much more approachable in its youth than you might expect. The 94 point Decanter review is worth reading below. Like most other Barbarescos from top vineyard sites, I expect these wines to reach firmly into the three figures in no time.
This is a sensational single-vineyard Merlot made from incredibly tiny clusters, full of some of the most elegant, intensely structured fruit from high atop Sonoma Mountain. Beautiful weight and balance with aromas of blueberries, black currants, sage and a hint of cocoa. It’s got a full, plush mouthfeel, pristine and vibrant fruit and a wonderful smooth finish. Thanks to Chad’s big bet on himself, he was able to make a knockout Sonoma Mountain beauty, without the need for any middleman, helping us to enjoy one of his best creations at an outstanding price.
Every year since inception, Anne Sery’s Trousse Chemise wines have wowed folks from Coast to Coast (like Daniel Boulud who has an exclusive with her). But the newly released 2021 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir really kicks things up a couple notches. It’s bursting with an intense, berried up fruitiness– when people compare Oregon as the closest thing to Burgundy in America, this is what they are talking about. Juicy and vibrant, with even more expressive floral, red fruit and sage aromatics.
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