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
$28.00 $20.00
“This delightful dry rosé should delight red and white wine lovers alike.” – Wine Enthusiast
Usually, the official start of Rosé season comes around springtime, though some serious bottlings (like today’s) really shine throughout the year. I’m not a big news guy, so I’m not sure whether or not that giant gopher in PA saw his shadow, but my guess is spring is still a few weeks away. But with Saint Valentine’s Day right around the corner and with the occasional random 60 degree day poking its head in, I figured that I’d go shopping for a pink wine for the people.
Luckily, when it’s February– you have the pick of the litter like the New York Jets every year in the draft. But unlike that sorry franchise, I didn’t miss with my selection– I got a super highly scored gem from arguably the best place in the world to make Rose.
The region of Tavel in the southern Rhône, right across the Rhône River from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, is lauded for making some of the best Rosés every year. It might be the only region in the entire world that makes pink wines that actually can benefit from aging. That makes sense when you consider the grapes that go into the wines are similar to CDPs, Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Carignan to name a few. These wines are gorgeous to look at, gorgeous to drink and can age– they’re pretty hard not to love.
I sourced this one from arguably the finest wine made in the appellation each year, from the superstar winemakers at Chateau d’Aqueria. Those guys always knock it out of the park which is probably why this has double 92-point scores from the most respected wine critics in the world while most Rose fails to earn even 90-point scores. The Wine Advocate in their unheard of 92-point review called this one a “solid effort from one of the appellations most consistent producers”.
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92 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Chateau d’Aqueria’s 2020 Tavel is a solid effort from one of the appellation’s most consistent and widely distributed producers. It’s medium to full-bodied in the mouth, ripe and round with ample flesh and a rich, silky feel, which easily carries the wine’s berry, peach and crushed-stone notes through a long, mouthwatering finish.
92 Points, Vinous
Vivid salmon skin. Highly fragrant red currant, cherry, orange pith and floral qualities on the nose. Picks up a subtle white pepper nuance with air, which complements and sharpens the juicy red fruit, blood orange and fennel flavors. The long, gently chewy finish shows fine detail and lingering cherry and citrus fruit notes.
91 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Delicate notes of red cherry and apple blossom introduce this full-bodied but freshly concentrated expression of Tavel. A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Clairette, it highlights zippy blackberry and crisp black-plum flavors against a backdrop of cassis acidity and lingering veins of graphite. This delightful dry rosé should delight red and white wine lovers alike.
The 2019 North Coast vintage in Napa and Sonoma for Cabernet Sauvignon is outrageously good. The big three wine critics have already come in calling it one of the best of the last few decades. Of course, Chad Alexander finds himself in the right place at the right time. If there’s someone who can churn out full-bodied, well-structured Cabernet Sauvignon that can compete with the big boys at a fraction of the price, it’s Chad. Cherry cola, blackberries, fig jam and a hint of sage on the palate with plenty of depth and complexity. This has a solid, juicy core and a smooth, lingering finish. This baby should drink well for two decades at least.
If you’re looking for one of my most sincere recommendations of the year, heed this: this is the Rose to have of all the ones I’ve tried so far. The newly released 2021 Effet Papillon Rose is off the charts. Made 100% from Grenache (as many of the best Southern French Roses are, this is salmon in color. It boasts aromas of bright red and stone fruits, orange rinds and a hint of lemon zest. It’s incredibly smooth and dry, making it a great food wine– but this Rose is serious with depth and complexity, making it worthy of enjoying on its own.
The newly released 2020 Brunori ‘Le Gemme’ Verdichio is everything you’re looking for in a vibrant, food-friendly white wine. About a billion times better than every-day Pinot Grigio, the Brunori is an electric, vibrant white which combines delicious fruit and vibrancy with boasts a killer nose of white peach, honeycomb and almonds. The fruit is wonderfully concentrated with a salty, stony finish that goes forever. You’re going to want to add a few bottles to your collection ASAP.
For the very first time, superstar winemaker Anne Sery has made a pink wine for her meteoric Trousse Chemise brand. The NYC restaurant favorite tapped into some new fruit sources in Southern Oregon to pair with her Willamette Valley vineyards to make a Rosé of Pinot Noir with vibrancy and balance to pair with its elegance and depth. We’re lucky to be the first ones with Anne’s debut Rosé, but I can assure you it’s so good, it won’t be her last.
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