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
$100.00 $59.00
This one comes from a very special ring of vineyards, just above the fog line, high atop Howell Mountain where many of Napa’s most sought-after grapes are grown. Their estate bottlings are synonymous with $200+ price tags, yet collectors scramble to gobble them up: CADE, Randy Dunn, Lokoya, Cimarossa, and Nicholas fan favorite – Bob Foley.
And it was from here that Ry Richards was able to once again craft a tiny lot of just 4 barrels of out-of-this-world Cabernet from what appears to be an epic 2021 vintage.
The spring of 2021 was warm, full of sunny skies, but with barely a drop of rain. Not since the mid-70’s had the spring been that dry. Due to these drought conditions, the fruit set was paltry, but the small berry clusters were so fabulously concentrated. The challenge facing growers came from Nature’s summer heat lamp. If the fall continued to be equally hot, there would be desiccation and all bets were off. Then, as if on cue, in early fall the weather turned cool, and stayed that way until the fruit was picked, accounting for glorious conditions.
Not surprisingly, the mountain AVAs in particular were most privileged as it related to concentration. Poor soils with limited water reserves drove plantings to the brink, and the call to harvest came early. Almost uniformly, the wineries with holdings in the most coveted mountain sub-regions from Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder and Pritchard Hill turned out absolutely gorgeous deep, dark, powerful wines infused with dark fruited cores and sumptuous tannins.
Surprisingly approachable out of the gates, these Cabernets are built for the long haul, with drinking windows from now (only for the sheer hedonism of the vintage) thru 2040.
Qualitatively, 2021, almost uniformly, is one of the finest vintages I’ve tasted from the last decade out of Napa Valley. Unfortunately, quantity, due to the drought conditions, was 30-40% down from the norm, putting even more upward pressure on bottle prices. But still, because this is a Fiancetto deal and Ry Richards, we’re able to beat pretty much all of the other guys with this one today.
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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.
90 Points, James Suckling
Damien has crafted a delicious Médoc, full of character with dense black currant and cherry fruit, cedar, tobacco and wonderful complexity. It’s silky complexion is what pushes it over the edge (and, of course, the price!) It doesn’t hurt that it comes from a 95-point Left Bank vintage that the Wine Advocate declared, “outstanding.”
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.
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.
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