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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WS #4 2019 Wine of the Year, 96 Points, Wine Spectator
2016 was an incredibly special year in Napa Valley. It was essentially the 5th straight vintage of near perfect-conditions and a lot of the big boys produced some of their biggest, most elegant Cabernets to date. Groth’s was still one of the standouts in any group, a deeply concentrated, weighty Cab with sappy, juicy fruit and a carefully intertwined tannic structure. Absolutely gorgeous.
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.
100 Pts, International Wine Report – 98 Pts, Parker’s Wine Advocate – 98 Pts, James Suckling
“The 2020 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is truly sensational. It begins with striking aromas of fresh blackberries, blueberries and dark plums that are laced with fresh spring florals, mocha, sweet exotic spices, graphite and gravel nuances all taking shape. The palate is full-bodied and displays a remarkable combination of power and elegance throughout. This is beautifully structured and extremely expressive, as it possesses outstanding depth and concentration all they way through the long, finessed finish. Year after year, the Columbia Valley Cabernet is one of the most impressive wines, and there is no exception here, as it combines all the wonderful qualities of the 2020 vintage from Quilceda Creek into one expression. This is fantastic already and readers will be in for a real treat, as this simply marvelous wine will continue to deliver the goods for years to come.”
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!
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