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
$35.00
The first ever 100-point Langhe Nebbiolo.
The Cognos are a fourth generation winemaking family, but it’s the current generation that has put the entire wine world on notice. A few years back, the preeminent Italian wine critic, Antonio Galloni declared, “Elvio Cogno is one of the hottest wineries in Piedmont right now. Proprietors Nadia Cogno and Valter Fissore have been on tear of late, and show no signs whatsoever of slowing down.” Huge praise, but it’s proven again and again to be true.
In 2021, the Cogno’s received two perfect 100-point reviews. The first came courtesy of Wine & Spirits for the 2016 Elvio Cogno “Bricco Pernice” Barolo, a usually drop-dead gorgeous wine that was carved off the five-acre plot in the Ravera Cru. It’s yet to make it to the states so I haven’t had it yet. But I have had their most recent perfect wine, the 2020 Montegrilli Nebbiolo from Langhe.
A Langhe Nebbiolo scoring 100 points is a seemingly impossible feat, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s this Elvio Cogno team. The wine earned the score from Luca Gardini, the hardworking Italian critic who has earned his reputation as a tough, no frills critic who rates only wines from his homeland.
But Gardini was swept off his feet the same way I was when I tried this wine, the same way the Wine Advocate was when they tasted last year’s version of the Montegrilli. It’s insane. A gorgeous, silky Nebbiolo with bright, fresh red fruit, sophistication and depth, a full mid-palate and great acidity and salinity to wash it all down. It’s the kind of wine that runs circles around bottles three times the price.
Out of stock
100 Points, Luca Gardini
“Un Langhe Nebbiolo strepitoso, il migliore mai assaggiato. Un vino espressivo, territoriale, dalla forte impronta stilistica, che sento quindi di voler premiare come eccellenza all’interno della propria categoria. Premessa doverosa per spiegare che i miei punteggi non si riferiscono mai al vino in senso assoluto, ma valutano ogni vino collocandolo all’interno del proprio areale di produzione e della propria categoria. E qui, lo ripeto, siamo al top.
A bright and brilliant purple-ruby colour. At the nose it’s clean and vertical with hints of pomegranate, red plum, wild and iodine touches. The mouthfeel is taut and broad, with a strong acid vein that supports a marked salinity and a citrusy finish. Great depth and drinkability.
Fresh off its feature as one of Wine Spectator’s ‘Exciting California Values Under $25’, winemaker Matt Cline looks to stay hot with his release of the 2019 Contra Costa Zinfandel. This one is a beauty crafted off old-vines that are now between 110-140 years in age. There’s a ton of darker fruits that drive this one with a dusting of baking spice. The fruit is pure, fresh and long making it both delicious on its own or terrific with a burger, BBQ ribs, or grilled leg of lamb. Crazy cheap for what is in the bottle, load up!
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.
Chad’s 2020 McKinley Springs Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is drop dead gorgeous and actually makes zero sense at all at this price. Dark purple to the rim with aromas of black fruits, violets, creme de cassis and a hint of spice. On the palate, full-bodied, round and juicy with elegance and the gorgeous, pure fruit– red and black currants, blackberries and a touch of sweet tobacco. It’s a delicious bottle of Cab.
The next great Big Red in the long line from the Wagner family of Caymus fame. Like the previous Quilt offerings, this represents Joe Wagner’s pick of the litter of available vineyard sources that puts his inimitable blending abilities into play. In a vintage as easy and as heralded as 2021, the only difficulty the Wagners had was finding things they didn’t like. So explosive and juicy on the palate with a lush mouthfeel and silky smooth tannins. A winner for Napa and Big Red fans alike.
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