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
$35.00 $29.00
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 1960s and 70s. The historic estate was widely considered the best producer in all of Chianti at the time. Then, ill-timed investments and money problems in the late 80s caused the winery to fall off, and eventually the family was forced to sell.
Felsina had always pined after the unique wines crafted right 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 only then that they finally discovered the big 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 is 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 under the Pagliarese name. Now they’re firmly on the radar of all the top critics once again.
The 2019 vintage in Chianti and Tuscany was absolutely stellar, producing wines with incredible depth and character. The Pagliarese Chianti Classico Riserva embodies everything we love about this region, from its rich red fruit flavors to its elegant, well-integrated tannins. It’s drinking so well right now.
In stock
93 Points, James Suckling
Dried roses, lemons, sour cherries, mint and cranberries on the nose. Fresh and tight, with a medium body and firm, fine tannins. Precise and fine at the end. Drink or hold.
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.
90 Points, Wine Spectator
Domaine Jaume Vinsobres Altitude 420 is an old-vine Grenache-Syrah blend from vineyards planted in Les Collines at some of the highest points in the Rhône. The Jaumes have farmed these dizzying elevations at their estate in Vinsobres for 100+ years. The 2020 is one of his best yet, pristine and fresh, a bowl full of berried-up fruit yet with the tension and length that belies its humble price. Incredible bang for the buck, tailor-made for anyone’s house red, and a slam dunk for any kind of meat on the bone.
This one comes from very old vines in eight different lieux-dits, with the largest portion coming from Le Fourneau. Harvest is all by hand, and this wine sees 18 months in barrels with only 10% new oak. Clement (rightfully) believes that keeping the oak primarily neutral here brings out the most authentic and intense expression of his Pinot Noirs. Take a sip or two of this and you will know exactly what I mean.
100 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
“Needing plenty of air to show at its best, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard is a sensational, gorgeous Napa Valley Cabernet that delivers the goods like only this region can. Pure Cabernet magic on the nose, with deep blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, lead pencil, and a kiss of spring flowers as well as a beautiful Pessac-Leognan-like scorched earth character, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, silky tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. It’s one of those wines that builds incrementally on the palate and it’s only after the second or third sip that you realize how special this wine is. It also offers that rare mix of power and elegance that’s the hallmark of all great wines. It needs a couple of hours in the decanter if drinking any time soon. Hats off to Paul Hobbs for an incredible Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.“