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
$44.99
There’s not much I can say about the critically acclaimed Hamilton Russell that some fancy reviewer hasn’t said before me. For years, they’ve led the pack out of South Africa, making some of the absolute best Burgundian varietals outside of Burgundy itself.
The vineyard is one of the most southern wine Estates in South Africa and as such one of the closest to the sea, benefiting from a beautiful, cool, maritime Hemel-en-Aarde breeze that comes in from behind the old fishing village of Hermanus.
Today the winery is led by superstar winemaker Emul Ross who has continued to build on Anthony Hamilton Russell’s impressive resume and helps put South African wine amongst some of the best in the world. Don’t miss this 2019 Chardonnay. Unfortunately, there are only 36 bottles to go around.
The 2019 is a tight piercing mineral wine the classic HRV length and complexity. Lemon, apples and pear aromas and flavors dominate this wine with great acidity and a long dry finish. It’s elegant and well-textured with a bit of a creamy middle despite the minerality. It’s a great effort as always.
Out of stock
95 Points, Tim Atkin
“…The Chardonnay was all made with estate fruit. Entirely whole bunch-pressed for the first time, it’s a commendably bright, elegant and focused wine with less malolactic (10%) than normal, pithy acidity, a hint of stone fruit sweetness and refined 27% new French oak. Something of a triumph against the odds.”
93 Points, Decanter
A very fine Chardonnay produced in difficult circumstances given the fire/smoke issues in the Western Cape. Unlike the Pinot Noir, this was unaffected, produced with 100% estate fruit and is very successful. Bunches were pressed whole (rather than de-stemmed) to exclude any smoke taint risks. Very crisp on the palate with fine acidity and a touch of stoned fruit, this is concentrated, mineral and elegant. Very youthful, ideally give this another 12 months to blossom a bit more.
92+ Points, Parker’s Wine Advocate
Bursting from the glass with elegant oak tones, the 2019 Chardonnay effortlessly sashays out of the glass with sweet citrus aromas, spiced yellow apple, caramelized pears, cinnamon nutmeg and oatmeal cookie essence. Medium-bodied yet packed full of complexity and layers, the wine splashes down on the palate with finesse, precision and persistence. Still spritely and youthful, flavors of sweet citrus and pastry cream continue to somersault across the palate with elegant oak tones, lingering long on the evolving finish. Another stunning Chardonnay from Hamilton Russell Vineyards. Bravo.
93 Points, Tasting Panel
“A debut variety for this label. Stainless steel fermented and aged for five months, it was pressed whole cluster, crémant style which resulted in fine acidity and an inner sunshine. Its just-sliced lemon- fresh nose sends one to a perfectly balanced palate. Melon, guava, and banana are glossy and clean. The stony mid-to-finish leaves a trace of terroir on the tongue.”
93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
The 2018 Dutton Ranch release courtesy of Dan Goldfield & Co. is a total knockout. A lively, energetic old-world style Chardonnay with fresh citrus and stone fruits, a touch of salinity and piercing minerality. Flavors of green apple, mango, apricot and lemon are accented by salivating notes of toasted hazelnuts and toffee. This one is a perfect compliment to most any dish and can be enjoyed all year round. From one of the most iconic duos in American wine.
From Soave Classico’s most privileged volcanic-limestone hillsides, comes a brand new release that is going to dazzle a lot of folks. This is a high-tone northern Italian white bursting with white flowers, honeysuckle and stone fruits. Crisp and clean, finishing juicy and surprisingly long. A perfect complement to all kinds of seafood dishes, summer vegetables, poultry and light cheeses. There is no old-vine, small lot Pinot Grigio that exists for anywhere near the price of this one.
I got this one before most everybody else in the country which is why this is still yet to be scored. Last year, Wine Enthusiast gave it a 91-point Editors’ Choice review saying, “Te Mata is a few bucks more than your average New Zealand SB. It’s worth every penny.” That pretty much sums up how I feel about this wine. A lot of New Zealand SBs give you the gooseberry and tropical aromatics, but this is a serious Sauvignon Blanc with sophistication, and depth. Refreshing and long with a great finish, this is the one to snag out of New Zealand in the 2021 vintage.
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