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.
With seemingly infinite access to some of the absolute very best vineyards in the most choice AVAs in the valley, the Wagner’s set out to make Quilt– a Cabernet blend from a patchwork of the top sites in Napa (Oakville, St Helena, Atlas Peak, Coombsville, Calistoga, and Howell Mountain.) The brand new 2021 edition is a beauty – deeply concentrated, rich and a truly show stopping Cabernet. It’s a dark, hedonistic blend that combines elegance with power and pairs the two together effortlessly.
#3 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2021
96 Points, Parker’s Wine Advocate – 95 Points, Wine Spectator
We are one of the very few folks who have Wine Spectator’s #3 Wine of the Year. This is definitely not one to miss. The 2016 vintage showcases this prized vineyard in all its glory; notes of wild black fruit, thyme, mint, eucalyptus, and bay are lifted and enjoyed with the polished tannin and mouthwatering freshness of this wine. Regarded as one of the best vintages in the last few decades, the 2016 Martha’s Vineyard has been aged to perfection for immediate enjoyment at release and will continue to reward for the next 20+ years.
90 Points, Wine Spectator
Domaine Jaume Vinsobres Altitude 420 is an old-vine Grenache-Syrah blend from vineyards planted in Les Collines at some of the highest points in the Rhône. The Jaumes have farmed these dizzying elevations at their estate in Vinsobres for 100+ years. The 2020 is one of his best yet, pristine and fresh, a bowl full of berried-up fruit yet with the tension and length that belies its humble price. Incredible bang for the buck, tailor-made for anyone’s house red, and a slam dunk for any kind of meat on the bone.
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.