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
$39.00 $21.50
One of the highlights of this great estate is their ability to make wines that are bright and fresh as well as their ability to make big, structured wines that take time in the bottle but have decades ahead. It’s truly rare to have both. Their ‘Barolos’ are easily amongst the top in all of Piedmont, but it’s the super fresh and elegant younger wines that sometimes steal the show.
The 2021 ‘Bricco dei Merli’ is excellent, far beyond what most can get out of Barolo bottlings double and triple today’s price. It’s aged in large, non-toasted Slovonian oak barrels that allow the wine to keep its authenticity, its aromas, and all its notes. It totally sings with high-toned cherry fruit, plum, and even some violet with a fresh minerally taste that is both well-balanced and as silky smooth as one could ever want.
Unsurprisingly, given the pedigree of the property, the winemaking talent, and the fact that you’re getting old-vine Barbera from on top of the hill of a famous vineyard, this one has a big score attached to it. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, the most well-respected publication in the wine world, handed down a 93-point review in which they waxed poetic about this wine.
They called out the “beautifully fruity, almost juicy personality.” As if that weren’t enough, they went on to declare that “This Barbera does not show any of the excesses that can sometimes characterize Barbera when made in less capable hands.” That’s about as strong as a 93-pont review as you’re going to find.
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93 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
The 2021 Barbera d’Alba Bricco dei Merli shows a beautifully fruity, almost juicy personality that paints an authentic portrait of this grape. The Congo winemaking team has worked out its approach to elegant wines. This Barbera does not show any of the excesses, like sourness or too much acidity, that can sometimes characterize Barbera when made in less capable hands.
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.
#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.”
95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck – 95 Points, Lisa Perotti-Brown
The oft 100-point winemaker, Jayson Woodbridge had this to say when tasting his 2021 ‘Stargazing’ Sonoma Pinot: “The wine is vibrant and complex with subtle dark fruits and berries, grandmother’s cherry pie, minerals, and a slight touch of rain-soaked earth, intertwined with a balance and very pleasing easy-going luxury. Should have been priced higher but what the hell.” I have no doubt this clerical error will be addressed in the vintages moving forward. But for now, this is a cult Pinot for under $100/bottle.
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.