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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
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
$26.00 $18.00
Outside of Burgundy, nowhere in the world consistently produces better Pinot Noir and Chardonnay than California’s Russian River Valley. All the big California names have now bought in: Kendall Jackson, Rodney Strong and Paul Hobbs. But the very best wines, now and always have been made by small operations – like the guys from L’Oliveto.
The two winemakers behind L’Oliveto’s boutique operation bring a truckload of experience (Williams-Selyem, Robert Sinskey), but instead of laying all their cash into a single vineyard, they use their relationships to cherry pick the best vineyards each vintage without all the overhead. That means great wines every year and phenomenal prices.
2017 was the year they held all the aces. As wildfires raged, RRV was luckily spared but nonetheless, buyers were scarce. The long, hot 2017 vintage gave a few precious wineries the raw ingredients for truly exceptional wines. My favorite RRVs in 2017 came courtesy of Gary Farrell, Paul Hobbs and Merry Edwards. Just one problem, all three of those bottles will set you back a pretty penny. But for the quality to price ratio, L’Oliveto’s Pinot puts all three to shame.
The 2017 L’Oliveto is excellent and I don’t say that lightly. Well balanced, with super fresh, dark-berried fruit, a touch of earth and spice and a wonderful lingering finish. Even at its $26 release price this would be a phenomenal wine, easily worth twice the price. At today’s $18 a bottle – this is a no brainer. You’ll be enjoying this absolutely delicious Pinot Noir on Tuesday and Saturday nights alike all summer long.
Out of stock
90 Points (Editors’ Choice), Wine Enthusiast
This is an attractively priced red made at high quality, aged entirely in French oak, 30% new, for nearly a year. Dark brooding fruit is accented in baking spice within a succulent palate that’s soft with earthy edges. The finish offers plenty of acidity and brightness.
Soon to be Rated
With Herve and Fabre Montmayou wracking up NYT features, huge scores, gold medals and lifetime achievement awards, I’m left with one choice: get in now or be left in the cold. Waiting for the scores to roll in is a luxury that we know longer have with Fabre Montmayou. Good for the winery, but not so good for us. Rest assured though, the 2020 Cabernet Franc Herve sent me is fantastic, and will surely be minted with the same kind of high-flying praise as the vintage before it. But by that time, you’ll only have a bottle or two left in the cellar.
Winemaker Pascal Sirat consistently puts out some of the best value Bordeaux in the region but he may have outdone himself in the 2018 vintage. Just south of Pomerol, the vines at Panchille borrow deep in the soil. The resulting wines are ripe but fresh, with an aromatic complexity and stony finish usually reserved for wine twice the price. Daniel Boulud tells me it’s been the hottest bottle of wine at Bar Boulud for over a month, so I figured I’d better hurry up and secure my allocation! Don’t miss it.
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.
93 Points, James Suckling – 92 Points, Wine Spectator
This wine is so stinking good– there’s a reason it’s been a multiple recipient of a Wine Spectator Top 100 Wine of the Year nod. With a fresh 92-point review, this may follow some of its predecessors on the end of the year lists. Regardless, this is a fantastic Oregon Pinot that I would recommend to anyone. It’s just so fresh and vibrant with an emphatic expression of berries and herbs and an effortless smoothness that lasts all the way through the finish. It’s Oregon Pinot at its best– when you feel like you’re drinking silk.
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