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
This one is about as good as it gets.
I told you a few weeks ago when we offered the Vocoret that I was one of the stingiest Chablis critics out there. The reasons are varied but boil down to three huge factors.
First – though many wines say they come from a particular vineyard, they changed the rules so that many of the vineyards can just use the name of their more famous neighbors. Absurd, I know.
Secondly, soil and vintage matter. And when the Premiers Cru were massively expanded in the 80’s, many were expanded to now include Portlandian soil which makes a very different finished wine than the Kimmeridgian Marl that put the very top wines on the map.
Finally – many, many producers will make wine off a particular vineyard with results that vary widely. So – the moral is I have to taste each and every Chablis, each and every year – no matter what.
But when I find a homerun, you have some of the best white wine in the world – ready and willing to age for decades – at a fraction of the price Corton-Charlemagne (with which the best Chablis easily compete).
Directly across town from Grand Cru Les Clos lies one of the most interesting Premier Cru vineyards in Chablis – Les Vaillons. Yes, the soil is Kimmeridgian Marl and southeast-facing hillside bakes in the morning sun – allowing the grapes to achieve perfect ripeness despite the cool temperatures.
Many bottlings from this precious vineyard fetch between $60 and $100+ but not this stunner from Dampt. It’s a true family operation – and they actually own the land – keeping costs substantially lower than the neighbors.
Out of stock
93 Points, Decanter
Vincent trained in the Jura and at Domaine Leflaive before starting to work with his father, setting up his own domaine in 2004. Vincent is a great fan of the acidity in Vaillons and this example proves his point. A combination of green apple and pear fruits, concentration and a mineral, vibrant edge, with that acidity holding everything together. A very energetic wine with a saline character on the finish. Beautifully balanced Vaillons.
The parcels here are situated on vast limestone deposits of lacustrine origin, a near-perfect mix of clay and prehistoric shells. On the surface, fine gravel left from when the river used to have a different route – keeps the vineyards super dry and incredibly distinctive. There are no other vineyards in the whole Centre-Val de Loire quite like them. The Sauvignon Blanc from here is pure, almost transparent with a touch of silver and features aromas of maritime salinity, lemon rind, and a touch of grapefruit. The whole mouthfeel is bold, fruity, and refreshing.
Carneros is well-known as a cool-climate region, perfect for growing Chardonnay. The newly released 2020 version has a delightful energy in its youth, with a pale straw color with lime hues. The aromas are of honeysuckle, orange blossom and creme brulee with layers of vanilla and a hint of toffee. The palate is lively yet soft with flavors of lemon cream pie and merange.
What would a Chardonnay collection be without something special from the master of Chardonnay, Steve Kistler? I was able to get a more cases to offer up at our lowest price. Les Noisetiers surrounds the Kistler winery on the Sonoma Coast. Steve’s brand new 2020 is bristling with energy juicy fruit and a mouthwatering mineral backbone. It is delicious wine, with lemon, honeysuckle and stone fruit aromatics leading to a full bodied, juicy core, loaded with flavors of peach, apricots, pineapple and pear.
The newly released 2021 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. The best part of this beauty is that it’s not just a summer wine- it’s absolutely delicious year round.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.