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
$18.00 $16.00
One of my favorite discoveries over the past twelve months has been the wines of Donnachiara and superstar Italian winemaking consultant, Riccardo Cotarella. If you’re not familiar with Cotarella– he is the Italian equivalent of Luc Morlet or Michel Rolland — just as famous and well-respected in the wine industry and an absolute icon in his home country.
Robert Parker Jr. once famously called Cotarella “one of the most influential personalities in the world of wine in the last 20 years.” You can easily see why. Every. Single. Wine. that I’ve tasted from Donnachiara is under $20 and a complete knockout.
I think Cotarella’s work at Donnachiara is particularly impressive. If you’ve had his Aglianco or the Greco di Tufo (small quantities available today) you can attest. Firstly, he has access to a brand new, state-of-the-art winemaking facility paid for by a very wealthy family that will likely never see their return on investment during this generation.
Secondly, Cotarella gets to work with fifth generation winegrowers that are extremely passionate about their work on the estate. And finally, Cotarella gets to place his stamp on the most distinctive indigenous varieties in the country – not tainted by international trends in style. Aglianico, Greco di Tufo and today’s varietal… Falanghina.
Out of stock
92 Points, James Suckling
Fresh pears, sliced apples, apricot stones, lemon zest, crushed stones and some rosemary on the nose. White pepper, too. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity and a gently spicy finish. Drink now.
96 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate – 94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
With Ron’s son Chad the head of winemaking, Melville’s winery has reached never before seen heights. Chad’s 2021 Estate Chard just knocked the cover off the ball – coming in at 96 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. This one hits on all cylinders and is an amazing value to boot. It’s a must-have cellar selection for Burgundy and Coastal Chardonnay lovers alike. You can smell the ocean in the glass followed by waves of lime, white pineapple with a kiss of honey and lemon zest.
For those of you looking for a semi-dry Riesling to pair with seafood, salads, pastas or poultry, you don’t have to look any further. Ratzenberger is a benchmark in the region and their consistency in making expressive, classy Riesling continues with the newly released 2019 Kabintt Feinherb. It manages to bring to the table savory, sweet and tangy acidic notes. It’s a versatile bottle of white, that’s for sure.
The 2016 vintage in Napa was nearly perfect for winemaker Kian Tavakoli (Opus One, Clos du Val). With ideal weather all throughout harvest, he crafted the Faustini Money Road Chardonnay off the famous vineyard located in the coveted Oakville AVA. The picturesque vineyard off Oakville Crossroad is platinum rated, known for its ideal combination of soil & climate and the big A list names that routinely source fruit. Kian’s Money Road Chard is still youthful despite having a few years of age, probably as a result of its 18 months of slumber in 1/4 new Oak.
The newly released 2021 Domaine Laroche Chablis Saint Martin has some big shoes to fill as the last three 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.
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