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.
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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.
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95 Points, James Suckling – 94 Points, Wine Spectator – 93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
The new release is here from outstanding winemaking team of Michel Rolland, Charles Thomas, Andy Erickson and David Jelenik. This one always represents one of the best quality-to-price ratios in all of Napa Cab and in the stellar 2021 vintage, this really stands out as one of the best the Valley has to offer. It’s a racy mix of Coombsville fruit from Atlas Peak that absolutely roars out of the bottle. Always one of Napa’s great bargains and a must have even as the price starts to sneak up here a little bit.
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.
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 secret to Philippe’s tightly wound, complex Pinot Noir is a combo of ancient vines, natural farming techniques, and low yields. The wines are built to age, with incredible tension and length. And the secret to me securing his other-wordly 2017 old-vine Gevry-Chambertin can be chalked up to a great relationship and over a decade supporting superior Burgundian winemaking. The wine is scary good. The nose is wild, filled with spiced dark raspberries, red flowers, and baking spices. The palate is elegant and racy, with a dynamic tension that runs right through its minute-long finish. This is a high-toned, wound-up Pinot, that is starting to hit its prime and is really turning out to be a ‘must-have’ for true Burgundy lovers.
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