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
$18.00 $14.99
Out of a line up of over two dozen Tuscan wines – many costing fifty to seventy-five bucks and two in the three figures – this tiny gem from Mazzei came out on top.
Now I often talk about historic estates – but this time, I need to slow down and reset the scale. For 26 generations, the Mazzei has been producing wine off their historic Castello di Fonterutoli estate and are intimately tied up in the entire history of Tuscany. It was their name that was found on the first ever official document mentioning Chianti – all the way back in 1398.
Several generations later, family patriarch Phillip Mazzei was a winemaker, philosopher, arms dealer, and most importantly for us a close confidant of Thomas Jefferson. He influenced the future direction of the United States with his political writings which were incorporated into the Declaration of Independence – and maybe even more so by supplying the State of Virginia with the necessary arms to fight the red coats.
Now to the wine. Look – this wine would be good at three times the price. It was going to be great at my normal Nicholas pricing but on today’s mea culpa, it’s just a ridiculous deal.
The vineyard is located at high elevation within the heart of Chianti Classico. Mazzei could have easily just thrown the merlot in the dirt and bottled the Sangiovese alone for a much bigger pay day. I’m certainly glad they didn’t.
This is deep, dark and luscious with intense aromas of red berry and cocoa. Fresh and lively on in the mouth – and will be an excellent companion to any red sauce – yes, even pizza – pot roast, etc …
Out of stock
Don't worry! Enter your email and we'll notify you when it's available again or if we have very similar products from this producer.
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
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.
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.
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.
90 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Xavier Vignon’s brand spanking new CDR 100% is a thing of beauty. It’s already got a blessing from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate who described this wine as, “Full-bodied, concentrated and supple”. This is a gorgeous and intricate blend that features all of the Southern Rhone appellations. This year, the blend was 40% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre, 15% Syrah, 7% Cinsault, 7% Marselan, 6% Terret Noir. Nobody can do it like the mad scientist, Xavier Vignon.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.