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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
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 $15.00
The truth is, Herve Fabre’s Cabernet Franc – for years – has been my secret weapon. While his Malbec steals all the glory, it’s long been Herve’s belief that Cabernet Franc is one of the grapes of the future that will continue Argentina’s ascend on the world stage. His own Cabernet Franc in particular proves his point.
Hand harvested in small trays to avoid bruising any of the fruit, the results are amazing. More than half the Cabernet Franc that comes in is rejected, prioritizing only the best grapes. This makes for a super energetic Cabernet with juicy red and black fruits, and the signature dash of a mint on the finish. It’s insanely good.
But with Herve and Fabre Montmayou wracking up NYT features, huge scores, gold medals and lifetime achievement awards, I’m left with one choice: get in as soon as possible or get left in the dust. Especially, when you have a wine that is as ridiculously highly decorated as this one.
The expert reviews on this little number are insane. 90 points and a ‘Best Buy’ designate from Wine Enthusiast, 90 more from Suckling. Ditto from Vinous who called this “young, firm, with well-worked tannins and good structure”. But in a crowded see of nearly 20,000 wines at the Decanter Wine Awards in 2022 – this stole the show. The only 95-point, Gold medal Cabernet that you can get for under $20/bottle, its second straight year in the most rarified air.
95 Points (Gold Medal), Decanter Magazine
Dark and brooding, with plush aromas of dark fruit and black spice, while the palate is laced with earthy fruit and graceful rolling tannins.
90 Points (Best Buy), Wine Enthusiast
A nose of berries and herbs guide the senses to a savory palate, delivering flavors of green bell pepper and strawberry intertwined. Barrel-driven spice notes are well integrated. A good structure and balancing acidity provide a pleasant mouthfeel.
90 Points, Vinous
From Alto Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, the 2021 Cabernet Franc Reserva was 60% aged in barrels. Garnet red in hue. The nose presents ash and red pepper notes with elegant hints of redcurrant. In the mouth, it’s compact with a taut texture and young, firm, well-worked tannins and good structure. Will improve in the bottle.
90 Points, James Suckling
Blackberries, black raspberries, cocoa powder, walnuts and dried herbs on the nose. Fragrant and gently herbal, with a full body and firm, fine tannins. Best in 2024.
95 Points, James Suckling – 93 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
From the creative mind and winemaking prowess of Screaming Eagle’s own Andy Erickson, comes a passion project unlike any other. The goal at Leviathan is to make only one wine a year– the biggest red in the U.S. Sourced from some of the best vineyards up and down the coast (you can thank Andy and Screaming Eagle for that), this Bordeaux blend features ample Cabernet rounded out with Petit Verdot and Merlot. It’s a big, intense wine that will only get better with age, though its great right now and amazingly under $40/btl for an Andy Erickson wine. That should be more than enough any day!
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 2019 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.
95 Points, Decanter
On the nose, herbs and lavender dominate, as notes of meat stew swish in the background. As it continues to open up, various black fruits continue to emerge. The palate is marked by bright acids (perfect for fatty cuisine), black cherry and touch of leather. This is a perfect candidate for the cellar and will be a stellar pull over the next decade.
Robert Foley’s Shelter Cabernet Sauvignon is our most popular Cabernet and finally returns after a few year hiatus. Dark purple on the rim, with aromas of black fruits, smoked meats, baking spice and a touch of sweet oak. It’s a big, round full-bodied wine with a nice acid backbone and a long, smooth finish. You can definitely drink these now (at this point, they’re seven years old) but there’s still a life ahead of them so tuck several away for a few more years.
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