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 $22.00
n the ‘80s, awareness about Loire Valley white wines was isolated to Sancerre. Honestly, awareness hasn’t changed much through today, I’d guess that the vast majority of the Loire Valley white wine sold in the US is still Sancerre. We sell and drink our fair share too, it’s hard to beat the accessibility and food-friendliness of Sancerre and Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc in general. But that popularity has come at a price. A decade ago, great Sancerre was available in good supply at $20. Today? The best ones start at $30 and quickly escalate from there. Fantastic for our friends growing grapes in Sancerre but I’m stubborn, I am always looking for a better deal.
As you know, to find value in any wine growing region, you have to get off the beaten path. So in January of 2019, I did just that, driving south and west from Sancerre and the Loire River to the gently rolling hills of Menetou-Salon. The best of our visits that day was with Valentin Moindrot of Domaine de Loye, an irresistibly happy guy whose wines will make you feel just about the same way! Valentin’s dad founded the estate in 1970 with vines his grandfather planted in the ‘50s.
These old vines are rooted in deep limestone, and dry, limestone-infused clay. This mineral soil adds great vibrancy to their Sauvignon, loaded with aromas and flavors of white flowers, lime-blossom and citrus fruit. His 2018 Menetou-Salon juicy enough to be delicious on its own poolside and but with a nervy, high-toned backbone that makes it perfect at any table. Don’t miss it!
Out of stock
Don't worry! Enter your email and we'll notify you when it's available again or if we have very similar products from this producer.
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Gold Medal (Best in Show), 2023 Mundus Vini International Tasting
The area has also been isolated from the rest of Spain for generations, which has kept the wine prices far lower than wines of this quality would be anywhere else in the world. That’s why, despite having the Torres family name on the bottle and the consistent huge press (including the Gold Medal & Best in Show at the 2023 Mundus Vini International Wine Awards in Germany), these wines can still be scooped up for under $20/bottle. It’s like the Sancerre pricing of yesteryear.
Stephan Steinmetz is a star in the Mosel wine region. His old vines are rooted in Kimmeridgian limestone, the exact same vein of rock that winds its way from Sancerre through Chablis and Champagne to its final out-cropping here in the Obermosel. His Elbling is glorious — both completely unlike anything I’ve ever had and also eerily familiar. The color is almost clear, some might call it silver. A stunning nose of green apples and lemon peel gives way to fresh pear and bright citrus fruits on the palate. It’s a stunningly focused wine with a healthy dose of minerality and acid zip, not unlike great Sancerre/Chablis and bone dry.
The newly released 2022 Domaine Laroche Chablis Saint Martin has some big shoes to fill as the last four vintages have earned 92-points or higher, but the early indications are that this is line with previous vintages if not even a little bit ahead at this stage. The problem is – there’s almost none to go around with much smaller yields. Still this is beautiful and crisp, with good focus, energy and depth. I get the signature green fruits on the nose, with some Asian pear, and a hint of jasmine blossom. There’s a beautiful mineral streak that highlights this one. It’s a fantastic White Burg for the price.
92 Points, Wine Enthusiast
This is a huge favorite of folks in the Red Bank area. It’s a bold, unapologetic Chardonnay with juicy notes of peach, lemon sorbet, baking spice and vanilla with a rich, creamy middle and plenty of natural acidity to balance it out. The lemon vanilla finish is perhaps the wine’s calling card or the sheer drinkability of it all. Either way, it’s a Chard that people adore. It’s no wonder Wine Enthusiast called this, “a big win for fans of this bold style”.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.