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
$25.00 $20.00
Perfectly nestled in Chianti between the two now-famous wineries Felsina and Castell’in Villa, it was Pagliarese who drew all the talk in Chianti throughout the 1960’s and 70’s. The historic estate was widely considered the best producer in all of Chianti – before some ill-timed investments and money problems in the late 80’s caused the winery to fall off and eventually forced the family to sell.
Felsina had always pined after the unique wines crafted just next door – always failing to live up to their neighbor’s opulent expression of Sangiovese. So when Pagliarese came up for sale, they swooped in. It was then that they discovered the secret.
Even though it was just a stone’s throw away, the two soils couldn’t have been further apart. The rich sandy, volcanic soil deep beneath the vineyards of Pagliarese was the secret weapon in crafting rich, age-worthy Sangiovese. But Felsina didn’t become the toast of Chianti by sitting on their laurels.
For the last two decades, Pagliarese’s fruit was the unsung hero in Felsina’s wine program– their Chianti Classico helping propel the famous winery to even greater heights. But that changed in 2015, when the Poggialis decided to resurrect their neighbors’ signature wine and bottled it as Pagliarese once again. Unsurprisingly, their inaugural release was a smashing success.
Now onto their 2018 vintage, this Chianti Classico is easily the best since the revival project started, and well worth it’s sparkling 93-point score from James Suckling. This is a great wine at an even better price. Don’t miss this one.
Out of stock
93 Points, James Suckling
The cherries, citrus and flowers are really pretty here. It’s medium-bodied with a tight center palate and firm, racy tannins. Extremely lively at the end. Drink or hold.
90 Points, Vinous
The 2018 Chianti Classico is fresh, vibrant and ethereal. A wine of tremendous character, the 2018 is not obvious in any way, but it does offer tremendous appeal for readers who enjoy classically built wines. Sweet red cherry, cedar, tobacco, dried flowers and pine are all nicely layered. There is something incredibly retro about the Pagliarese Chianti Classico that harkens back to another era. I loved it.
In the excellent 2016 vintage in Napa, winemaker Kian Tavakoli (Opus One, Clos du Val) had little work to do. With ideal weather conditions throughout harvest, clusters came in dark and juicy from both the Coombsville and Rutherford Vineyards where this delicious Napa Valley Cab was crafted from. 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. This is a steal for the price.
The second year of this elegant, silky smooth Willamette Valley Pinot Noir crafted by Bertrand de Villane of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti fame. Again it comes from the gorgeous Winter’s Hill Estate about 700 feet above sea level in the Dundee Hills. All indications are that the 2019 is going to be one of the best for Pinot Noir since 1991. A flawless summer that benefited from very little rain mixed with cool, breezy summer nights. With a round, supple mouthfeel and a sturdy backbone this will age gracefully for a decade plus. Bertrand’s wines just have a signature stamp that is unmistakably his. This is phenomenal.
From two New Jersey natives comes something special from Napa Valley. First the Faustini’s bought grapes from the historic Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard for their first test batch. Next they brought in Opus One & Clos du Val alum Kian Tavakoli to head up the winemaking. Throw in an outrageously good 2016 vintage in Napa and what you have is the recipe for a knockout wine that is starting to come into its own and will be great for the next 10-20 years!
95 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“Once again, Fabio Motta knocks it out of the ballpark. The 2016 Bolgheri Superiore Le Gonnare is another super rich and densely concentrated Tuscan blended wine from this classic vintage. This blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Syrah is soft and velvety. In fact, the wine plays its best cards in terms of the supple and soft nature of the mouthfeel and tannins. The wine is partially aged (only 20%) in new oak. Only 6,600 bottles were made total.”
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.