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, 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.
94 Points, Tasting Panel
This is a really exciting new release in the collection of single-vineyards from the Wagner Family, and arguably the most interesting one of the bunch. This is the only Pinot Noir in the Caymus collection that has the advantage of being from a natural Pinot Noir haven in the Russian River Valley. Dairyman Vineyard’s proximity to the pacific ocean, with its morning fog and afternoon coastal breezes allows for an even and elongated growing season, with super concentrated and expressive grape clusters that help make this Dijon clone Pinot Noir one that you need.
It’s no surprise the Wine Advocate has called the Ventoux a “screaming bargain.” Carved off the left bank of the Rhone River, the 2020 Delas Ventoux is a gorgeous medium-bodied wine with wonderful crushed red fruits, a silky mouthfeel, tremendous structure and that signature Rhone spice on the finish. I haven’t had this wine available for a few vintages, but I figure it’s the perfect springtime Red to bring back in the fold!
At J Vineyards, Nicole is nothing short of a magician, making 30 different skus or more each vintage between her Pinots, Chardonnays, and Sparkling wines. For the vineyard’s flagship Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, up to 100 individual small lots are combined to make this great wine. Somehow, the blend is effortless–a quintessential RRV Pinot that has those soaring aromatics, bright red fruits, clove, and nutmeg spice with perfect balance.
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