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
$35.00 $21.95
In a growing season in Washington that saw hot temperatures and no rain all summer followed by a quick rainstorm and cooler temps the rest of the way, winemakers described harvest as perfect and crazy long. Christopher Baron of Cayuse said by the time it was ready for people to pick fruit, “the vines were cruising and not under any stress”. Mike Januik, winemaker at Novelty Hill in Columbia Valley called it a “particularly good year for Cabernet Sauvignon.” But if there was one problem with the harvest for Washington winemakers, it was that the harvest was so even and perfect that yields were huge!
An overabundance of super high-quality Cabernet? How the hell did Chad know to be in Walla Walla in 2018?!? Those were the two thoughts racing through my mind after I tasted through the half dozen samples Chad had sent my way. Most winemakers are constantly chasing trends. Chad is always ahead of them!
I set aside my dumbfounded thoughts and gave Chad a call to see how much these Cabs would cost me. Washington is still like the Wild Wild West where wineries haven’t figured out where they should price things in the market and the good stuff is anywhere between $20 and $250/bottle. But I should’ve known that in the Wild West, Chad is Billy the Kid, which is why when he told me the price, I was back to being utterly perplexed. “Huh?” I asked.” Is this guy a magician?
Chad’s 2018 Walla Walla Cabernet is an anomaly. Cut off one of the hottest AVAs in the world right now, the cuvee is sourced from the basalt-cobblestone gravelly soils of Walla Walla. With a dark-purple color all the way to its rim, the wine is aromatically complex, with classic Crème de cassis mingled with violets and savory spice. On the palate, it’s classic, medium to full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with notes of currant, blackberries, graphite and sweet tobacco. The finish is long and silky, with no hard edges, and fine tannins.
Last year’s wine was our 96pt Super Tuscan of the Year. This year? Oh boy. It’s hard to believe but the 2019 Grattamacco is even better than last year’s. It’s always a powerhouse with a youthful charm you can enjoy now but with the structure to age for a very long time. But, the 2019 takes it up a notch as the vines struggled, pulling water from deep within the earth and adding yet another level of complexity. When this one gets scored, it’ll be game over.
The 50 hectare estate of Maurice Robert is the jewel of this beautiful growing region, located east of Bordeaux. Robert is first and foremost a viticulturist, tending his vines like gardens. The Bordeaux Rouge 2016, a barrel-fermented, vibrant blend Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with juicy cassis fruit and just the right touch of savory spice. It is a perfect choice for roasted poultry, grilled burgers or steaks or any Alpine cheese.
95 Points (Gold Medal), 2020 Decanter Wine World Awards
Well… I guess the cat is out of the bag on this one. Couldn’t keep it from Asimov at the New York Times or Decanter. Don’t let the price tag fool you. The 2019 Fabre-Montmayou Cabernet Franc is a gorgeous & serious wine that should be enjoyed like a Saturday nighter. Dark color and full throttle as you might expect out of the gate, giving way to pure fruit and a touch of that Cheval Blanc type jalapeno flavor that so intrigues lovers of world class Cab Franc.
The ’19 Nebbiolo, a product of warm year yet with a long, even growing season, is exciting wine, showing off the aristocratic, finesse side of Nebbiolo. This is medium bodied, racy red wine, perfect with earthy, home-styled cuisine, roasted chicken with morels, grilled beef or any kind of lentil dish. Act fast, it’s never around too long!
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.