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
$16.00
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.
Out of stock
Don't worry! Enter your email and we'll notify you when it's available again or if we have very similar products from this producer.
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.
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
91 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Always the one with the most personality of the bunch, this is what Wine Enthusiast had to say about the 2021 release: “This extremely ripe and bold style of Pinot Noir will please those seeking such lushness. Dark in the glass, it begins with black cherry, toasty caramel and cola milk shake aromas.” The cool, coastal days and abundance of sunshine lines up perfectly for a wine that has a good natural acidic backbone, with bold fruit-forward flavors. In an easy 2021 vintage, Joe Wagner had a field day with this single-vineyard beauty.
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.
93 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate – 93 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
“Vignon’s 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape delivers even more than I hoped for based on a previous sample. Hints of garrigue, roses, cherries and raspberries appear on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied, silky and long, with an intense, almost briny finish. The assemblage is 50% Grenache, 10% each Mourvèdre and Syrah, plus smaller proportions of seven other permitted varieties, while the élevage includes foudres, demi-muids, concrete and wooden tanks, plus terracotta amphorae.”
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.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.