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
$65.00 $49.00
Joseph Phelps has built quite the reputation for himself. The winemaking pioneer is responsible for one of Napa’s all-time most iconic red wines and has long been revered as one of the biggest names in the Napa Valley. But when you’ve done one thing for as long as Phelps has, you’re still going to have plenty of naysayers telling you it can’t be done– even if your name is Joseph Phelps.
That was the case in the late 1990’s when the surprised announcement was made that the winery had bought a significant amount of land in the little town of Freestone along the Sonoma Coast– a long ways away from their Napa home. People thought it was crazy — far too cold, wet and windy along the coast to make quality Pinot Noir. But Joseph Phelps had previously tried making Pinot Noir in Napa– so he emphatically disagreed, insisting that their Sonoma Coast property would be the perfect place for optimal ripening and acid retention for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. He was right.
One of the most extreme perches along all of the Sonoma Coast, Freestone’s steep slopes are an ancient seabed, comprised of sandy loam soils that offers both ample drainage and an easy path for roots to spider meters deep into the substrata. With the gentle breeze, temperatures in the summer rarely reach 90. When night falls, those temperatures drop into the 50’s. Those cool summer nights extend the growing season and make all the difference in the world for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
In the 2016 vintage, a vintage Antontio Galloni’s Vinous Media touted as “stellar” and “fabulous” in the Sonoma Coast, Joseph Phelps’ Freestone Pinot Noir is a perfect representation of just how good Sonoma Pinot can be. Garnet in color, infused with piercing aromas of black cherry, raspberry, and tobacco and lightly touched with new-wood vanilla. It’s super concentrated on the attack, but absent of any overripeness, with a core packed with crushed red fruit and dark cherry preserves, violets, and licorice, finishing with great persistence and length. Drink now-2030.
Out of stock
93 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Medium ruby-purple in color, the 2016 Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyard leaps from the glass with an intense perfume of violets, red currants and black cherries with hints of black pepper, lavender, cinnamon stick and black tea. The palate is medium-bodied and very elegant yet wonderfully intense with a firm frame of fine-grained tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing long and fragrant.
93 Points, James Suckling
Very attractive baking spices and gently toasty oak across ripe raspberries and strawberries with light savory baking spices and bergamot. The palate has a bright crunchy red cherry-berry core. Tannins are succulent and the freshness is alluring. Drink or hold.
93 Points, Wine & Spirits
In 2000 and 2001, the Phelps family planted two vineyards in Freestone, eight miles from the Pacific coast. The two sites, Pastorale and Quarter Moon, contribute equally to this estate-grown pinot noir; both are planted on Goldridge soil, a well-drained sandy loam over sandstone, the remnants of an inland sea. The vines deliver a wine that’s fresh, with crisp lines. Spicy green edges in the tannins keep it firm and tight, then it ends on notes of cranberries and cool hints of jasmine.
95 Points, Vinous
“The 2021 Syrah-Grenache is another fabulous wine from Tyler and Rachel Eck. Bright, savory, and vibrant, the 2021 bristles with energy from the get go. Lively acids run through a core of blue/purplish fruit, lavender, cloves and menthol. The 2021 is deep and full of flavor yet also light on its feet. Today, it is positively stellar.” -Antonio Galloni
This is a very, very special library offer from our friends at Val di Suga and is also a very limited one. There are only a few of these amazing six-pack collector’s boxes for sale. Two bottles each from Val di Suga’s three single vineyard sites. Val di Suga is the only Brunello producer that controls three separate estate vineyards located in three specific climate zones in the appellation. Each vineyard site has its own unique exposure and geo-climatic features which expresses itself in every bottle. Not to be missed. *Original wooden boxes come included.*
Winemaker Marjorie Gallet’s Effet Papillon Rouge is a terrific blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignane, harvested from the iron rich soil just outside of Rivesaltes at the base of Pyrenees. This one is a vibrant wine, with aromas of wild black raspberries and sweet spices. The mid palate is rich and velvety, with a core of sweet black fruit that finishes fresh, long and silky. At the price, it’s one of the easier no-brainer case buys we offer.
93 Points, James Suckling – 92 Points, Wine Spectator – 92 Points, Parker’s Wine Advocate
San Giorgio Ugolforte is the sister winery of Poggio di Sotto. Their 2017 presents a dark core of red and black berry fruit layered with earth, leather, smoke, and herbs. It’s a complex and elegant expression, that presents a full mouthfeel that is firm in tannin structure. The refreshing acidity frames a graceful finish. Just a classic Brunello di Montalcino.
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