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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
$36.00
Perhaps no wine region has done more to boost its profile in the past 25 years than the Sta. Rita Hills in Santa Barbara. Once under the radar, the tirade of enormous scores, movie references (remember Paul Giamatti AKA Miles from Sideways), and critical praise have confirmed it as one of the best regions in the world for Pinot Noir (and Chardonnay for that matter).
The reason is actually pretty simple. It’s got a completely unique weather ecosystem unlike pretty much anywhere else in the world that allows for perfect ripening of Pinot Noir. The hot California sun provides the heat, but each afternoon – just as vineyards elsewhere in the state start to overheat and raisin the berries – cool Pacific breezes are drawn in from between the Purisima and Santa Rosa Hills. Some say the region is breathing.
Some of the nation’s very best vineyards are planted here. Sea Smoke, Sanford and Benedict, and Rita’s Crown to name a few. Tucked right in the middle are the pioneering vineyards of the Melville.
Founded by Ron Melville and winemaker Greg Brewer (Clifton-Brewer), the two built a little dynasty in the heart of Sta. Rita Hills. Year in year out, the duo produced wines consistently scored in the mid-90s by EVERY wine publication. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate wrote that they are “continually blown away by what Melville Winery puts in a bottle”. Wine & Spirits Magazine has included them on their list of Top 100 wineries… in the World!
Now with Ron’s son, Chad, as head winemaker, the wines may be hitting an even higher level of excellence. The 2016 Melville Estate Pinot (Chad’s first vintage at the helm) is an absolutely stunning bottle of wine that shames Pinots at twice the price. Drawn from micro-lots of some of their most famous single-vineyards, Chad approaches this wine like he’s conducting the philharmonic. Super bright with vibrant cherry fruit and the deep earthy overtones that you find in only the very best Pinots.
Antonio Galloni was duly impressed – giving it 95 points and a gushing review. Galloni said the Estate Pinot had “beguiling aromatic complexity and nuance” and a “sense of translucent beauty.” This one’s a case buy.
Out of stock
95 Points- Antonio Galloni, Vinous
The 2016 Pinot Noir Estate is a blend of the seventeen clones on the property. Freshly cut flowers, spice, mint, blood orange and dried flowers give the Estate beguiling aromatic complexity and nuance. There is a sense of translucent beauty in the 2016 that is fabulous, while the 40% whole clusters are very nicely integrated. This is such a tremendous wine.
92 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
I’m the most proud of this wine,” Chad Melville says. “This includes all 16 clones, around 130 different lots. It’s like an orchestra, using what’s left from the single-vineyard blends. To be able to pull aside those other sweet vineyard spots to bottle separately and still have this wine keep kicking ass—I’m becoming a better farmer and learning the land.” Medium ruby in color, the 2016 Pinot Noir Estate has a very bright, sunny nose of tangerine peel, ripe red cherries, spiced cranberries and rhubarb with hints of tree bark, dried earth, oolong tea and crushed strawberries plus a white pepper hint. It’s light to medium-bodied with a silky texture, intense, juicy earth-accented red fruits, softly grainy tannins and a long finish.
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!
Chad’s 2020 McKinley Springs Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is drop dead gorgeous. Those of you who were lucky to catch our sneak preview when we put it in our Gobbler Case can attest. Dark purple to the rim with aromas of black fruits, violets, creme de cassis and a hint of spice. On the palate, full-bodied, round and juicy with elegance and the gorgeous, pure fruit– red and black currants, blackberries and a touch of sweet tobacco.
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.
96 Points, Vinous
This is a gorgeous Estate Cabernet blend- richly aromatic with currents, plums, hint of violets and savory notes of cedar. At this young age it is showing all the depth of flavor and textural richness that are hallmarks of Diamond Mountain and Dyer Vineyard. It’s a classic vintage, hitting all the notes that you have come to expect from Dyer and Diamond Mountain. The grapes are grown in our 2.3 acre Diamond Mountain Vineyard in the Napa Valley.
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