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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91 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Always the one with the most personality of the bunch, this is what Wine Enthusiast had to say about the 2021 release: “This extremely ripe and bold style of Pinot Noir will please those seeking such lushness. Dark in the glass, it begins with black cherry, toasty caramel and cola milk shake aromas.” The cool, coastal days and abundance of sunshine lines up perfectly for a wine that has a good natural acidic backbone, with bold fruit-forward flavors. In an easy 2021 vintage, Joe Wagner had a field day with this single-vineyard beauty.
Winemaker Kian Tavakoli (Opus One, Clos du Val) continues to excel even while others struggle. In 2017, he still managed to deliver a beautiful and opulent Napa Valley Cabernet that’s both dark and juicy. The wine hails from both Coombsville and Rutherford, giving it distinct characteristics and a lot of drive. Deep ruby to the rim with excellent concentration, notes of Bing cherries, raspberry pie and hints of vanilla. On the palate, big wonderfully jammy fruit with young but impressive tannins and great length. The finish leaves notes of black cherry, and baked blueberry pie. Fantastic Napa value.
90-92 Pts, Parker’s Wine Advocate – 91 Pts (Editors’ Choice), Wine Enthusiast – 91 Pts, Decanter
The wines get consistent high praise but 2018 is truly something special. 90-92 from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. 91 points and an Editor’s Choice designation from Wine Enthusiast. 91 more from Decanter who provides “There is so much to enjoy in the smaller appellations this year. Drinking Window 2022 – 2031” and another 90 point score from James Suckling. This is a home run value – especially for the price.
With seemingly infinite access to some of the absolute very best vineyards in the most choice AVAs in the valley, the Wagner’s set out to make Quilt– a Cabernet blend from a patchwork of the top sites in Napa (Oakville, St Helena, Atlas Peak, Coombsville, Calistoga, and Howell Mountain.) The brand new 2021 edition is a beauty – deeply concentrated, rich and a truly show stopping Cabernet. It’s a dark, hedonistic blend that combines elegance with power and pairs the two together effortlessly.
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