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
$22.00
Domaine de Beaurenard has been a consistent critical darling over many, many years in the business like when they graced the Thanksgiving cover of Wine Spectator the year before last. The importer has been after me for years to ‘work’ more with their wines as he puts it.
And yes – their red CDPs often grab rave reviews, but it’s their full-throttled whites that I’ve always been most interested in – whites that set the standard for much of the region. As Jeb Dunnuck said, “This estate consistently makes one of the most classic, age worthy whites in the appellation…”
In that same Wine Spectator issue – three of the top ten white Chateauneufs of the year went to Beaurenard. So it’s hard to go wrong, but they will set you back close to a hundred bucks.
I was intrigued when my annual box of sample bottles arrived last week – with a surprise entry. Mixed in with the 94-point, $95 white CDPs was a Cotes du Rhone that not only held its own but given the price – was the hand’s down winner.
So I went to the internet to find out more. Absolutely nothing. No expert reviews. Not for sale anywhere. Not even listed on the Beaurenard site itself. My best guess is that this was a vanity project for the Coulon brothers, who if the soil was 12 feet to the left 400 years ago, we’d be paying those three figures.
Despite the parade of consistent 93+ ratings, I’m going with the unpublished, unfindable, completely hidden gem for our first Beaurenard offering. It’s all in the sourcing. The Biotiful Fox Blanc delivers an aromatic fireworks show, showing off high tones of quince, lime and honeysuckle, while making simply prepared fish a Michelin 3 star experience.
Out of stock
It’s hard to beat a great value white wine and this one is a at least a cut above the rest. One prominant industry insider called the 2020 edition, “the best white wine by any within $20/cs of this price.” It’s super crisp with a great mineral streak, and was carefully picked by hand when the temperature is coolest and is kept cool all the way into the press. From there, the effect of the mineral soil takes over, providing great finesse and freshness in every bottle. This white blend has great backbone and a lot of juicy fruit coming through behind aromas of flowers and stone fruits. At this price, it’s a no brainer.
I got this one before most everybody else in the country which is why this is still yet to be scored. Last year, Wine Enthusiast gave it a 91-point Editors’ Choice review saying, “Te Mata is a few bucks more than your average New Zealand SB. It’s worth every penny.” That pretty much sums up how I feel about this wine. A lot of New Zealand SBs give you the gooseberry and tropical aromatics, but this is a serious Sauvignon Blanc with sophistication, and depth. Refreshing and long with a great finish, this is the one to snag out of New Zealand in the 2021 vintage.
Jayson Chardonnay has Pahlmeyer prints all over it. It’s a gorgeoeus, racy Chard that opens with notes of orange blossom, jasmine and freshly sliced pears. In the glass, the wine evolves and deepens, adding bright and zesty hints of creamy lemon meringue, tart citrus fruit and a splash of minerality. On the palate, the wine’s lively acidity is balanced with rich notes of pear, tangerine and baked apricot, wrapped up with a hint of caramel and vanilla on smooth and creamy finish.
Etienne Daulny is the latest in a very long line of Daulnys to farm Sauvignon Blanc near the tiny hamlet of Verdigny in the appellation of Sancerre. He is currently in charge of farming over twenty small parcels including some incredibly well respected fifty-year-old vines. This is a classic Sancerre, aromatically dynamic, with intense fruit, distinct minerality and blazing acidity. It’s the white wine we drink most often at home. Beautiful structure and length to this.
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