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.
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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.
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In the 2020 vintage in Gevrey-Chambertin, yields were super low and temperatures were hotter than most Burgundian winemakers are accustomed. Many picked too late when the sugars were high and the fruit really ripe, but that was not the play. Still, Ann remained as cool in those hot temps as she did so many years ago in Napa, concentrating more on acid levels than sugars and picking at just the right time. This wine is absolutely singing – it’s an age-worthy beauty that should be even better in 4-7 years.
The newly released Fiancetto Howell Mt. Cabernet is a dream – a gorgeous, elegant dark-fruited Cabernet Sauvignon that is it picks up time in the glass, unfurls its full signature of cedar laced cassis nose and mid palate of chocolate-covered cherries and savory spices. Only four palates of this (224 cases) were made off a gorgeous, sprawling high elevation spot 1500 feet above sea level. It’s full and plush and finishes fresh and oh so long. The price is crazy for Howell Mountain Cabernet but that’s what Ry Richards and Fiancetto is all about.
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.
It’s no surprise the Wine Advocate has called the Ventoux a “screaming bargain.” Carved off the left bank of the Rhone River, the 2020 Delas Ventoux is a gorgeous medium-bodied wine with wonderful crushed red fruits, a silky mouthfeel, tremendous structure and that signature Rhone spice on the finish. I haven’t had this wine available for a few vintages, but I figure it’s the perfect springtime Red to bring back in the fold!
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