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
$24.00 $20.50
There may be no other wine region in the world that is more like Napa than Argentina’s Mendoza Valley. Much like Napa – wineries are easily reachable from the wine capital city of Mendoza with many people simply biking from winery to winery. And much like Napa – there are a few very special AVAs with personality and quality in a totally different stratosphere.
The vineyards east of town are what put Argentinian wine on the map. Big operations that churn out drinkable but mass production wine in gargantuan quantities. Out of town heading to the south is the hit parade of tiny subzones making world-class wines – many that rarely make it stateside.
This is the area of tradition – where vines are typically much, much older having escaped constant replanting as wineries elsewhere constantly chased worldwide varietal trends. Arid Perdriel – with some of the oldest vines in the world can be found here – blocked from rain by the Andes. Las Compuertas with some of the poorest soils in the country are right here too.
But continue the drive just a bit further south and you’ll find the town of Agrelo and Catena winery. This is where the most complex wines in the entire country are grown – high up on the steep slopes overlooking the town and in the shadows of the mountains – combining the effect of extremely great drainage with the ‘rainshadow’ of the Andes.
Out of stock
91+ Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
As with many wines this time around, I got more than one vintage to taste, including the 2017 Appellation Agrelo Cabernet Sauvignon. Next to the 2016, you could see the different climatic conditions of the two vintages, with this 2017 coming through riper and rounder. In any case, it’s a textbook example of Agrelo, with juicy fruit and polished, sweet tannins. This is also a favorite in 2017 and shows a very classical Bordeaux-like profile, peppery, spicy and elegant.
91 Points- Stephen Tanzer, Vinous Media
Bright red-ruby. Cassis, leather, musky licorice, spices and tobacco leaf on the nose. The palate delivers captivating subtle sweetness and insidious flavor intensity, with its red and darker berry flavors showing excellent delineation. Harmonious acidity lifts the middle palate but the wine’s firm spine of dusty tannins calls for a couple years of patience. This serious Cabernet finishes with excellent length.
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.
93 Points, James Suckling – 92 Points, Wine Spectator – 92 Points, Parker’s Wine Advocate
San Giorgio Ugolforte is the sister winery of Poggio di Sotto. Their 2017 presents a dark core of red and black berry fruit layered with earth, leather, smoke, and herbs. It’s a complex and elegant expression, that presents a full mouthfeel that is firm in tannin structure. The refreshing acidity frames a graceful finish. Just a classic Brunello di Montalcino.
Winemaker Marjorie Gallet’s Effet Papillon Rouge is a terrific blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignane, harvested from the iron rich soil just outside of Rivesaltes at the base of Pyrenees. This one is a vibrant wine, with aromas of wild black raspberries and sweet spices. The mid palate is rich and velvety, with a core of sweet black fruit that finishes fresh, long and silky. At the price, it’s one of the easier no-brainer case buys we offer.
The second year of this elegant, silky smooth Willamette Valley Pinot Noir crafted by Bertrand de Villane of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti fame. Again it comes from the gorgeous Winter’s Hill Estate about 700 feet above sea level in the Dundee Hills. All indications are that the 2019 is going to be one of the best for Pinot Noir since 1991. A flawless summer that benefited from very little rain mixed with cool, breezy summer nights. With a round, supple mouthfeel and a sturdy backbone this will age gracefully for a decade plus. Bertrand’s wines just have a signature stamp that is unmistakably his. This is phenomenal.
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