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 …
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This is a sensational single-vineyard Merlot made from incredibly tiny clusters, full of some of the most elegant, intensely structured fruit from high atop Sonoma Mountain. Beautiful weight and balance with aromas of blueberries, black currants, sage and a hint of cocoa. It’s got a full, plush mouthfeel, pristine and vibrant fruit and a wonderful smooth finish. Thanks to Chad’s big bet on himself, he was able to make a knockout Sonoma Mountain beauty, without the need for any middleman, helping us to enjoy one of his best creations at an outstanding price.
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.
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.
100 Pts, International Wine Report – 98 Pts, Parker’s Wine Advocate – 98 Pts, James Suckling
“The 2020 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is truly sensational. It begins with striking aromas of fresh blackberries, blueberries and dark plums that are laced with fresh spring florals, mocha, sweet exotic spices, graphite and gravel nuances all taking shape. The palate is full-bodied and displays a remarkable combination of power and elegance throughout. This is beautifully structured and extremely expressive, as it possesses outstanding depth and concentration all they way through the long, finessed finish. Year after year, the Columbia Valley Cabernet is one of the most impressive wines, and there is no exception here, as it combines all the wonderful qualities of the 2020 vintage from Quilceda Creek into one expression. This is fantastic already and readers will be in for a real treat, as this simply marvelous wine will continue to deliver the goods for years to come.”
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