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
$25.00 $22.00
“Over the years, a number of outstanding wines have been issued from the old-vines at Chamisal vineyard, especially Pinot Noir… In fact, quality here has been on a steady rise in recent years. This set of new releases is probably the best I have yet encountered here.” -Josh Raynolds, Vinous
In 1973, Chamisal was the first winery to plant vines in what today is the well-known Edna Valley of the Central Coast. It’s always been a beautiful vineyard where world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grew, but now far less of the fruit is getting sold to other wineries, and instead it’s in the magical hands of rising star winemaker, Fintan du Fresne.
The son of a New Zealand wine journalist, Fintan du Fresne grew up submerged in the wine world, and in a pretty incredible environment for learning. His education took him to Burgundy before it landed him an apprenticeship with the all-time greatest Central Coast winemaker, Josh Jensen of Calera, before he started his own thing at Chamisal. Since taking over, he’s lit a fire in this once sleepy winery, with Chamisal seeing the big scores every year that were once reserved for their neighbors.
I had the opportunity to taste both, but I think what sets the 2020 release apart from the 94-point 2019 edition is that it’s a more intricate, nuanced version. It’s complex and concentrated, yet the flavors just absolutely dance on the palate and you get a long, focused finish with exotic cherry, raspberry, cinnamon and clover notes.
Such a good Pinot Noir for the holiday, and we haven’t touched a California Pinot Noir at this price with this level of quality since Chad’s early days sourcing Anderson Valley Pinot.
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The newly released Fiancetto Howell Mt. Cabernet is a dream – a gorgeous, elegant dark-fruited Cabernet Sauvignon that is it picks up time in the glass, unfurls its full signature of cedar laced cassis nose and mid palate of chocolate-covered cherries and savory spices. Only four palates of this (224 cases) were made off a gorgeous, sprawling high elevation spot 1500 feet above sea level. It’s full and plush and finishes fresh and oh so long. The price is crazy for Howell Mountain Cabernet but that’s what Ry Richards and Fiancetto is all about.
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.
Winemaker Pascal Sirat consistently puts out some of the best value Bordeaux in the region but he may have outdone himself in what was a stellar 2019 vintage throughout the region. 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.
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.
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