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
$360.00 $300.00
This is no fly-by-night expansion into a neighboring region but instead a plan that took decades of planning. The major hurdle was that Massolino was unwilling to settle for anything other than the absolute best vineyards. If you remember, their Barolo empire is built off holding in three of the most desirable vineyards in Italy: Margheria, Parafada, and Vigna Rionda – the former is considered by most to be the crown jewel vineyard of Serralunga.
So despite years of hunting, it was during an encounter with Bernardino Gastaldi, a historical and ambitious Neive winemaker with parcels in three of Barbaresco’s most important vineyards: Albesani, Serraboella, and Starderi that finally kick started the project. Gastaldi’s approach in the vineyard was identical to those of Massolino team so he allowed them the opportunity to work with his astonishing crus.
Still – law dictates that a Barbaresco must not only be grown in the region but also made in the region so the Massolino team also built a brand new boutique state-of-the-art winery to handle production, an enormous investment.
Out of stock
94 Points, Decanter
The 2019 is the first vintage ever for Massolino with Barbaresco. A precise, even reductive style typical of the estate, it has an amazing definition of violet, rose and rhubarb melded with balsamic whiffs and savoury liquorice in depth. Firm acidity and tannins dominate the palate with elegance and integration; a woven structure which flows with dusty, ripe tannins and lifted freshness. More elegant than powerful, its quintessentially Barbaresco and not without sufficient concentration for ageing.
93 Points, Parker’s Wine Advcoate
The Massolino 2019 Barbaresco offers fine and delicate fiber with plenty of wild berry, blue flower, licorice and crushed stone. This wine remains a fresh and accessible taste of Nebbiolo from the gentle hills of Barbaresco.
93 Points, James Suckling
A pretty mineral nose showing blood orange, rust and a racy, dark raspberry and cranberry character. A hint of dry earth and vanilla as well. Very firm and sinewy with a medium-to full-bodied palate, showing impressive purity and fine grip. Very well-made.
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.
Fresh off its feature as one of Wine Spectator’s ‘Exciting California Values Under $25’, winemaker Matt Cline looks to stay hot with his release of the 2019 Contra Costa Zinfandel. This one is a beauty crafted off old-vines that are now between 110-140 years in age. There’s a ton of darker fruits that drive this one with a dusting of baking spice. The fruit is pure, fresh and long making it both delicious on its own or terrific with a burger, BBQ ribs, or grilled leg of lamb. Crazy cheap for what is in the bottle, load up!
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.
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