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
$40.00 $38.00
I’ve been imploring all of my readers who love their red wines to load up on 2019 Bordeaux in particular. The values are absolutely incredible. It’s one of those years like 2009 and 2010 that yielded so few bad wines, but the wineries that always make really good wine made REALLY good wine in 2019.
One of those places is Chateau Cantemerle. For a while now, this is one of the first places investors, enthusiasts and value hunters look for the best wines in Bordeaux. The wines are always delicious and they’re always highly scored as long as I’ve been around. Jeb Dunnuck calls them “an incredibly consistent estate that always delivers a quality wine”.
For Cabernet lovers, the quality-to-price ratio is insane.
Château Cantemerle is a dynamo Left Bank estate in the Haut-Medoc appellation of Bordeaux. They were originally credited as a fifth growth estate in the 1855 classification, a designation that has been met with heavy and harsh criticism. Most view it with an asterisk since its an estate that has for decades exhibited incredible quality relative to anyone in a classification remotely close.
The estate has spared no expense to get to where it is today. They even famously brought over Mexican vineyard workers from California to assist in grafting and replanting vineyards due to their expertise in Cabernet Sauvignon. Today they have more than 220 acres planted under vine with more than half that production dedicated to Cabernet. Snag these while you can!
In stock
95 Points, James Suckling
A red with lots of currant, blackberry, fresh-herb and tobacco character. Hints of mushroom, too. It’s full and layered with polished, chewy tannins and a bright and fresh finish. Very long and focused. Give it time to come together. Very classic character here. Best after 2026.
95 Points, Wine Enthusiast
This grand classed growth has produced a richly structured wine that is balanced by ripe black fruits. It shows spice from the touch of Petit Verdot in the blend, as well as fine acidity and freshness that give it poise and a vibrant finish.
94 Points, Decanter
Green pepper and herbaceous notes on the nose with minty eucalyptus alongside ripe cherry and blackcurrant aromas – so classic. A lovely mouthfeel here, smooth, well defined and preise. Quite direct, serious and darkly fruited – such a concentrated core – but with smooth tannins, a soft sweetness and freshness that lifts the overall frame. Balanced with succulence. Makes a lasting impact and impression. A great value pick.
94 Points, Neil Martin, Vinous
The 2019 Cantemerle has a fruit-driven bouquet with opulent blackberry and blueberry fruit, certainly one of the most floral in the flight with pressed violets developing in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins, fleshy and rounded, though I am looking for more tension and precision on the finish. This is a really fabulous Cantemerle that surely represents outstanding value. No excuse not to have this in your cellar.
90 Points, Wine Spectator
Domaine Jaume Vinsobres Altitude 420 is an old-vine Grenache-Syrah blend from vineyards planted in Les Collines at some of the highest points in the Rhône. The Jaumes have farmed these dizzying elevations at their estate in Vinsobres for 100+ years. The 2020 is one of his best yet, pristine and fresh, a bowl full of berried-up fruit yet with the tension and length that belies its humble price. Incredible bang for the buck, tailor-made for anyone’s house red, and a slam dunk for any kind of meat on the bone.
91 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Always the one with the most personality of the bunch, this is what Wine Enthusiast had to say about the 2021 release: “This extremely ripe and bold style of Pinot Noir will please those seeking such lushness. Dark in the glass, it begins with black cherry, toasty caramel and cola milk shake aromas.” The cool, coastal days and abundance of sunshine lines up perfectly for a wine that has a good natural acidic backbone, with bold fruit-forward flavors. In an easy 2021 vintage, Joe Wagner had a field day with this single-vineyard beauty.
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.
Anne Sery describes her Trousse Chemise Cabernets as an ode to the Left Bank and her winemaking roots. It’s a beautiful and fresh Cabernet with aromas that leap from the glass with of black raspberry, violets, and creme de liquor notes. The mouth gives generous amounts of juicy black fruits at the core with hints of baking spice and a smooth, savory finish. This is a terrific partner for just about anything from hard cheese, to poultry, summer salads, you name it!