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
$149.00 $115.00
Lowest Price in New Jersey: $126/btl
Lowest Price Online: $119/btl
Nicholas Offer Price: $115/btl
For over five years, not a single bottle from some of the coldest and deepest cellars in Burgundy was shipped stateside when Michael Ampeau suffered a stroke. Micheal progressed slowly, but surely. Finally, in late 2018, he called to tell us that he could finally prepare and ship again, just a little bit at a time, and no more than 3 appellations/vintages per order.
I traveled to Burgundy in January of 2019 with two others. We spent two days tasting dozens of perfectly aged Meursaults, Pulignys, Volnays, Savignys and Pommards, beginning in 1976 (!), in the cellar 26 stone steps beneath the family’s home. The wines at Ampeau are in a kind of suspended animation, always seeming to be 20 years younger than what the label reads. After the tasting, I took the remainder of each wine back ton my room at Le Montrachet, just up the road in Puligny. Then I continued my evaluation. In the end, I settled on a few selections, the one of which I am happy to offer today.
The Ampeau estate in Meursault is one of the most remarkable in Burgundy. They tend their vineyards like gardens, with outrageous leaf canopies that look more like biodynamic-Francois Barmes vines than the typical, short Meursault vines, cropped short to fit the modern tractor. The Ampeaus still use their tractor from the 50’s…that leaf canopy allows the Ampeaus to get earlier ripening, always with great acidity, crucial for ensuring wines that have great ageing potential. Their work in the cellar is minimal, no battonage, short time in barrel, early bottling…then those bottles join the other half a million in that cold, dark cellar…
The aristocratic 2001 Volnay Santenots 1er cru is still at the beginning of its evolution. The color is ruby red, with a marvelous bouquet of dark fruits laced with baking spices and a hint of mint. The earth-tinged fruit is light on its feet, dancing across the palate, very fresh and quite long. We drank this over a few hours; its development in the glass was astounding. This is a real Burgundian classic, a rarity that is an absolute pleasure to drink. There are so many layers to this wine, be sure to take your time with it.
But what you shouldn’t take your time with, is hitting the buy button. This amazing red Burgundy, with 21 years of bottle age, perfectly aged, stored, shipped and can be delivered to directly your front door. I have just 36 bottles of this special wine at the best price anywhere. Do not miss them!
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Today, Michel Ampeau takes appointments during day. In 2014, Michel suffered a stroke. He could no longer drive a tractor or perform cellar work. For over five years, not a single bottle from some of the coldest and deepest cellars in Burgundy was shipped stateside. Michel progressed slowly, but surely. Finally, in late 2018, he called to tell us that he could finally prepare and ship again, just a little bit at a time, and no more than 3 appellations/vintages per order. I traveled to Burgundy in January of 2019 with two others. We spent two days tasting dozens of perfectly aged Meursaults, Pulignys, Volnays, Savignys and Pommards, beginning in 1976 (!), in the cellar 26 stone steps beneath the family’s home. The wines at Ampeau are in a kind of suspended animation, always seeming to be 20 years younger than what the label reads. After the tasting, I took the remainder of each wine back ton my room at Le Montrachet, just up the road in Puligny. Then I continued my evaluation. In the end, I settled on a few selections, the one of which I am happy to offer today.
The color of the Savigny-les-Beaunes 1999 defies its age. It is a dark purple shade all the way to the rim. The nose is awesome, showing off a bouquet of dark fruits laced with baking spices and a hint of mint. The earth-tinged fruit is deep and concentrated; the 99s have always had incredible fruit. Yet the wine is light on its feet, dancing across the palate, very fresh and quite long. This is wine to experience over a few hours, it’s got many layers, take your time with it.
What you shouldn’t take your time with is clicking the buy button. This amazing red Burgundy, with 21 year of bottle age, is perfectly aged, stored, shipped and can delivered to directly your front door. Don’t miss it
92 Points, Vinous – 92 Points, James Suckling – 91 Points, Wine & Spirits
“The 2021 Malbec Reserva, from Vistalba, Lujan de Cuyo, was 60% aged in barrels for 12 months. Purple in color. The nose presents notes of fresh plum and violets, white pepper, strawberry, hints of spice and aromas from the aging process. It’s initially indulgent in the mouth, with good fat, and volume and a velvety texture. The flavors are bold and full-bodied. This 2021 overdelivers at the price.” -Vinous
In the 2020 vintage in Gevrey-Chambertin, yields were super low and temperatures were hotter than most Burgundian winemakers are accustomed. Many picked too late when the sugars were high and the fruit really ripe, but that was not the play. Still, Ann remained as cool in those hot temps as she did so many years ago in Napa, concentrating more on acid levels than sugars and picking at just the right time. This wine is absolutely singing – it’s an age-worthy beauty that should be even better in 4-7 years.
Winemaker Kian Tavakoli (Opus One, Clos du Val) continues to excel even while others struggle. In 2017, he still managed to deliver a beautiful and opulent Napa Valley Cabernet that’s both dark and juicy. The wine hails from both Coombsville and Rutherford, giving it distinct characteristics and a lot of drive. Deep ruby to the rim with excellent concentration, notes of Bing cherries, raspberry pie and hints of vanilla. On the palate, big wonderfully jammy fruit with young but impressive tannins and great length. The finish leaves notes of black cherry, and baked blueberry pie. Fantastic Napa value.
The 2021 Napa Valley East side Cuvee is an instant classic. From the first whiff to the moment it hits the lips, its clear that this is a fabulously concentrated, serious wine: black in color, and featuring aromas of cassis, cedar and chocolate-tinged purple fruit. The mouthfeel is plush and voluptuous with a firm, solid finish that speaks to its potential for considerable aging.
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