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
$49.99
If you’ve ever been out to the Napa Valley, Frank Family Winery is a must stop. It’s right off of Larkmead Lane in Calistoga along the Napa River, with an elevated tasting room overlooking rolling acres of planted vineyards. Unlike some of the other over-the-top Napa stops, Frank Family chooses to focus on their wines rather than all the bells and whistles. Most of the people who work there have been there for ages.
One of those people is winemaker, Todd Graff, who for the last 18 years has run the wine program at Frank Family. Unlike most, Todd has been on both the winemaking and the vineyard management side– giving him a decisive advantage over most of his Napa neighbors. Todd joined FF after stints at Joseph Phelps, Schramsberg, Artesa and Stag’s Leap Cellars. It’s as impressive of a resume as a winemaker can have. But even with all his knowledge, he still treats every vintage like its his first– carefully surveying the land and following Mother Nature’s lead. His wines are consistently fantastic.
If you haven’t made it out there yet and are unlikely to do so anytime soon, you can still enjoy the fruits of Todd’s labor today at Nicholas Wines. With restaurants temporarily closed down nationwide, the opportunity presented itself for me to get my hands on five cases of the 2016 Frank Family Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
If you’re a big red drinker, this Cab has your name written all over it. It’s deep, dark (almost black) in color with bold, rich chocolatey notes, black cherry and vanilla all smoothly integrated together with a touch of oak on the finish. It’s no wonder steakhouses across the country jump on this wine without thinking twice– it’s the ideal partner for any piece of red meat, poultry or lamb chop.
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“Displays expressive notions of baked plums, warm cassis and licorice with hints of bay leaves and scorched earth. Medium-bodied, it fills the mouth with juicy black fruit and earthy sparks, finishing chewy.”
WINE ADVOCATE
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This is a sensational single-vineyard Merlot made from incredibly tiny clusters, full of some of the most elegant, intensely structured fruit from high atop Sonoma Mountain. Beautiful weight and balance with aromas of blueberries, black currants, sage and a hint of cocoa. It’s got a full, plush mouthfeel, pristine and vibrant fruit and a wonderful smooth finish. Thanks to Chad’s big bet on himself, he was able to make a knockout Sonoma Mountain beauty, without the need for any middleman, helping us to enjoy one of his best creations at an outstanding price.
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.
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.”
#24 Wine of the Year (2022), Wine Spectator
92 Points, Wine Spectator – 91 Points, James Suckling
“This supple red shows a core of cherry and plum fruit allied to olive, juniper and tobacco notes. Delivers well-integrated tannins and acidic structure, lingering nicely on the finish.”
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