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
$25.00 $20.99
For three generations the Kracher family has led the way in the Seewinkel, a sleepy corner of Austria to the east of Lake Neusiedl, just an hour’s drive from Vienna. It was Alois Kracher Senior, back in the ‘50s and ‘60s who first realized the potential of the area for quality wine growing. Then in 1991, Alois Junior (Luis) set the world on fire with his ‘new’ style of dessert wine, focussing on finesse and balance more than just outright sweetness.
With multiple 100 point scores from the likes of Robert Parker and the Wine Enthusiast, the Kracher family quickly became the tops in Austrian wine. When über-somm, Aldo Sohm from Le Bernardin, decided to try his hand at winemaking, he went directly to Kracher to form a partnership. These wines are represented on nearly every 2 and 3 Michelin starred restaurants wine list across the world. So, there was no surprise from me when Kracher’s 2017 Zweigelt came out on top in a blind-tasting of red Burgundies with the wait staff at Barrel and Roost. Ed, our great, chop-busting GM at the restaurant, threw it in there just to throw me for a loop. And he did, I certainly didn’t guess that it was Zweigelt, a grape variety indigenous to Austria, but I did identify it as the best damn wine in a lineup of Burgundian 90-some pointers with price tags double or triple the price.
I also identified it as Pinot-like, with vibrant violet color, a pretty and complex nose of purple flowers and wild black raspberries. The finish was long and so fine, just firm enough to make it stand up to any cut of grilled meat. But there was something else, an unknown savory element, a bit of earth and spice that I just couldn’t put my finger on. Flat out delicious but just not Burgundy, something else, blessed with what we are calling the Teutonic Funk.
I know I am asking you to go out on a limb, it’s a weird variety from a county not generally associated with great red wine. But believe me, it’s worth the roll. Go for it!
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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.”
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.
This is Joe Wagner and Quilt’s inaugural Red blend called Threadcount. It is a total knockout at the price point for this style of wine. It’s a big voluptuous wine and very fruit forward. The nose is straight up dark chocolate dipped raspberries and it tastes of fresh-baked blueberry pie, spice, and a touch of toffee. It’s the kind of quality blend that you’ve come to expect from the family behind Caymus.
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.
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