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
$28.00 $22.00
The last several months have sent shock waves through the drinks industry. Coke just announced that they’re ending production of over 200 brands – almost half the portfolio. Turns out over half of their sales came from big stadium events and sports.
Pretty much the same in the wine industry as restaurants worldwide have sidestepped targeted allocations that have been in place some times for decades. The Nicholas faithful have benefited. Sylvain Baily Sancerre from Balthazar, Bisci Verdicchio from French Laundry, Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio from Per Se, and four times my normal allocation of Domaine LeFlaive.
But apart from a Napa Cab or two headed for a steakhouse, I had very little to show for red wines earmarked for some of NYC’s top spots. But I can emphatically say, that changes today.
In the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara, a silent revolution has been taking place just to the east in Happy Canyon, where Pete Stolpman, Dan Dierberg, and Philippe Melka at Crown Point have been heads down quietly making some of the best under the radar big red wines in all of California from this warm, sun exposed micro climate.
That’s where today’s Cab, Ground Effect comes from– a tiny producer from Happy Canyon who first hit it big when NYC giants Gramercy Tavern and Soho House selected their Santa Barbara Cabernet for their wine lists.
From there, it’s only been up. Aided by its juicy placements, it ended up in the hands of Eric Asimov at the New York Times who gushed about it, including it in his “20 under $20 wines to enjoy on weeknights”. That certainly didn’t help make this small production Cab become any easier to get.. or any cheaper.
Out of stock
94 Points, Wine Spectator – 92 Points, Wine & Spirits
This one is an absolute gem from one of Burgundy’s great all-time winemakers, Jacques Lardiere in his new Louis Jadot Oregon project. It also happens to be one of Wine Spectator’s highest scoring Pinots of the year. The 2019 vintage in the Willamette Valley was picture perfect making this one extra special. This one is cut from a similar Burgundian cloth as the Composition. The nose is very fresh and fruity, with a symphony of strawberries and raspberries, wild cherry and blackberry. It’s expressive all the way through the finish which boasts a nice little baking spice component.
91-93pts, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
The 2015 Edmond de Rothschild “Chateau des Laurets” St. Emilion is something special and even after a barrage of fabulous Bordeaux offers this year, I’m still calling it the Bordeaux of the year. It absolutely dazzles, displaying all the silky, elegant tannins and harmonious nature characteristic of the vintage. Lay some down in a dark cellar for the long haul but don’t be afraid to enjoy some right now.
98 Points, James Suckling #36 Top US Wine of the Year – 97 Points, Decanter
In 2015, the last of four consecutive drought years and one of Napa’s great vintages over the past few decades, it’sno surprise that one of Napa’s all-time great wineries turned in a flawless bottling from the legendary Martha’s Vineyard. Decanter absolutely gushed, giving it 97 points and declaring, “no Cabernet has the aromatic profile of Martha’s. They would even go so far to say, “There isn’t a more definitive Cabernet Sauvignon in the world, at any price.” James Suckling would go a step further in the points department giving the wine a 98, but if Wine Enthusiast had got their hands on it, this would be a 100-point wine yet again. Just 30 bottles of Napa winemaking history up for grabs today.
The 2019 Fiancetto Howell Mt. Cabernet is restrained at first, needing air to develop its full signature of cedar laced cassis nose and mid palate of chocolate-covered cherries and savory spices. Full and plush it finishes long and fresh. This is a serious Cabernet for serious Cabernet fans. The price is crazy for Howell Mountain Cabernet at just $54 per bottle but that’s what Ry Richards and Fiancetto is all about.
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