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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
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
$30.00
Domaine de Beaurenard has been making upper echelon Chateaneuf du Pape for years, but I hadn’t had a Rasteau from them until I ordered it at Balthazar. Oooo was it good. This biodynamic baby Chateneauf danced in the glass with inviting aromas of black cherry, licorice and blackberry pie with a full body of silky supple fruit that all harmonized together beautifully. When I tell you it was the perfect compliment to the steak tartare, I mean it was a match made in heaven. I had to get a second glass before I finished the dish.
Upon getting home, I did a little homework. Turns out the wine experts had already gotten to it, with two 90+ scores to its credit. First came from The Wine Advocate who declared, “this biodynamically run estate’s 2018 Rasteau is a solid alternative for much less money”. Then came the 92-point review from Jeb Dunnuck who called the 80% Grenache, 17% syrah, 3% mourvedre blend, “terrific” as well as noting, “ with classic pepper, earth, and spice notes, it should easily be an outstanding wine.” It sure is.
Out of stock
92 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
In addition to their brilliant Chateauneuf du Papes, this estate makes two terrific Rasteau. Their 2018 Rasteau offers a medium to full-bodied, fruit-forward, balanced style as well as the more blue fruit character that’s common in the vintage. With classic pepper, earth, and spice notes, it should easily be an outstanding wine.
90 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
While based in Châteaneuf du Pape, this biodynamically run estate’s 2018 Rasteau is a solid alternative for much less money. A blend of 80% Grenache, 17% Syrah and 3% Mourvèdre, it offers scents of sun-warmed stones, hints of garrigue and bold flavors of black cherries and blackberries. It’s medium to full-bodied and supple, with a round, silky feel on the palate. Hints of dark chocolate and a cocoa powder-like texture mark the lengthy finish.
99 Pts, Vinous – 97 Pts (Cellar Selection), Wine Enthusiast– 97 Pts, Spectator – 97 Pts, Wine Advocate
Antonio Galloni called it, “hands down one of the wines of the vintage.” The Wine Advocate chipped in with “a refreshing, beautifully perfumed and skillfully crafted expression of the vintage.” Here’s what I’ll say: How could you do any better than securing a few bottles of a wine with 30-40 years of life left that is already showing better than giants such as Lafite, Margaux and Le Pin. There aren’t many years in Bordeaux’s history where one of the top 3-5 wines of the vintage was a $105 bottling and not one available at four figures.
92 Points, James Suckling
It’s hard to imagine a wine that delivers more bang for your buck and consistency than what Herve Fabre is able to produce from his 100+ year old vines each vintage. Last year, his Malbec Reserva landed on Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Buys of the Year. I called a big score form this one and it has just arrived. It’s a big, full-bodied Malbec from the heart of Mendoza and has great tannic structure and primary fruit, giving it similar characteristics to a Napa Valley Cab. Inviting aromas of raspberry pie, sage, herbs and roasted mushrooms.
The second year of this elegant, silky smooth Willamette Valley Pinot Noir crafted by Bertrand de Villane of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti fame. Again it comes from the gorgeous Winter’s Hill Estate about 700 feet above sea level in the Dundee Hills. All indications are that the 2019 is going to be one of the best for Pinot Noir since 1991. A flawless summer that benefited from very little rain mixed with cool, breezy summer nights. With a round, supple mouthfeel and a sturdy backbone this will age gracefully for a decade plus. Bertrand’s wines just have a signature stamp that is unmistakably his. This is phenomenal.
Poggio Al Sole’s high elevation vineyards bring out the Burgundy-side of Chianti Classico, producing lush wines with just a touch of earthy rusticity and great length. Their 2019 edition is sleek and elegant, with great aromatic complexity and length. The nose is really special, with soaring aromatics of black cherry, anise and peony. Give it time to unwind in the glass. It’s fresh and long on the palate, with the fine tannic structure that defines ever classic vintage, making it great at the table tonight and any night for the next decade.
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