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
$39.50
The husband and wife team of Tyler and Rachel Eck are a force to be reckoned with in the Central Coast. Though the 2021 vintage represents only their 7th making wine under their brand Dunites, the pair are far from newcomers on the scene.
Instead, they launched a side project as a couple in 2015 to create a brand focused on making “risky wines” – pure, unadulterated juice with whole cluster fermentation, minimal or no sulfur usage, light extraction by foot stomping, bottling without filtering and aging in neutral barrels to put forth the truest expressions.
None of which would be possible if their focus was anywhere other than the San Luis Obispo Coast. This wind-battered appellation at the very edge of where grapes can ripen, contains vineyards precariously perched on the first ridge of mountains off the pacific, allowing for super clean fruit with remarkable purity, low pH and crackling acidity.
Even though they’re both young, Tyler and Rachel account for over a dozen wine positions throughout multiple countries. Rachel, after a stint in NZ is a vineyard manager who works with some of the top wineries in California (Paul Lato/Stephen Ross) and Tyler’s the current associate winemaker at Fess Parker, after working at Peay Vineyards.
Dunites is only in its infancy, but the writing is already on the wall. They’re a smashing hit. Every vintage, they’re treated to a hit parade of big scores and lavish praise from some of the most respected wine critics in the world. Antonio Galloni has called their wines “stunning” and “simply brilliant” and literally couldn’t find enough positive things to say about today’s bottle.
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95 Points, Vinous
The 2021 Syrah-Grenache is another fabulous wine from Tyler and Rachel Eck. Bright, savory, and vibrant, the 2021 bristles with energy from the get go. Lively acids run through a core of blue/purplish fruit, lavender, cloves and menthol. The 2021 is deep and full of flavor yet also light on its feet. Today, it is positively stellar.
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#24 Wine of the Year (2022), Wine Spectator
92 Points, Wine Spectator – 91 Points, James Suckling
“This supple red shows a core of cherry and plum fruit allied to olive, juniper and tobacco notes. Delivers well-integrated tannins and acidic structure, lingering nicely on the finish.”
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.
The secret to Philippe’s tightly wound, complex Pinot Noir is a combo of ancient vines, natural farming techniques, and low yields. The wines are built to age, with incredible tension and length. And the secret to me securing his other-wordly 2017 old-vine Gevry-Chambertin can be chalked up to a great relationship and over a decade supporting superior Burgundian winemaking. The wine is scary good. The nose is wild, filled with spiced dark raspberries, red flowers, and baking spices. The palate is elegant and racy, with a dynamic tension that runs right through its minute-long finish. This is a high-toned, wound-up Pinot, that is starting to hit its prime and is really turning out to be a ‘must-have’ for true Burgundy lovers.
100 Points, Decanter – 100 Points, Vinous – 99 Points, Wine Enthusiast – 99 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate – 99+ Points, Jeb Dunnuck – 98 Points, Wine Spectator – 98 Points, James Suckling
“The 2018 Palmer is a legend in the making…This audacious Palmer was still revving its engines 48 hours after opening. There will never be another Palmer like this, sui generis. It was a massive risk. But by throwing caution to the wind, something extraordinary was born.” -100 points, Vinous
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