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
$288.00 $240.00
Paitin was already one of only a handful of top Barbaresco producers in the region, crafting stunning age-worthy Nebbiolos before the brothers, Giovanni and Silvano began a revolution of the property.
They built a new winery and cellar, returned to making Nebbiolo the traditional way, but their biggest move was bringing in Dante Scaglione in 2010 – fresh off a 16-year stint at the helm of Bruno Giacosa. Lucky for us, he didn’t bring along the three hundred dollar price tags, just his insane standards for quality.
Perhaps his most important project was crafting the wines off of one of the most revered vineyards in Barbaresco – the famed Serraboella Cru – of which the Paitins own 10 hectares. From those very special 10 hectares – the top Nebbiolo parcels were selected each year for their infamous Sori Paitin Barbersco.
And prior to Dante’s arrival, the remaining parcels were blended with wine from the famed Ca Veja vineyard in Alba. However, that all changed in 2013 when they finally realized what they were just blending away.
While the parcels selected for Sori Paitin produce Nebbiolo that most consider more like a fine, brooding Barolo, the much lighter Starda from the remaining parcels is a stunning example of the diversity of Nebbiolo but meant to be enjoyed within a half dozen or so years of release.
Vinous gave it 91 points and the write up is fairly accurate: “… the 2020 Langhe Nebbiolo Starda is effusive in its aromatics and nervy in feel. Sweet tobacco, cedar, blood orange, mint and dried red cherry are all beautifully lifted. The 2020 spent nine months in cask. It should be stellar with a few more months in bottle. It is already pretty delicious.”
Out of stock
91 Points, Vinous
Just bottled a few days before this tasting, the 2020 Langhe Nebbiolo Starda is effusive in its aromatics and nervy in feel. Sweet tobacco, cedar, blood orange, mint and dried red cherry are all beautifully lifted. The 2020 spent nine months in cask. It should be stellar with a few more months in bottle. It is already pretty delicious. (September, 2021)
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.
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.
93 Points, James Suckling – 92 Points, Wine Spectator – 92 Points, Parker’s Wine Advocate
San Giorgio Ugolforte is the sister winery of Poggio di Sotto. Their 2017 presents a dark core of red and black berry fruit layered with earth, leather, smoke, and herbs. It’s a complex and elegant expression, that presents a full mouthfeel that is firm in tannin structure. The refreshing acidity frames a graceful finish. Just a classic Brunello di Montalcino.
Soon to be Rated
With Herve and Fabre Montmayou wracking up NYT features, huge scores, gold medals and lifetime achievement awards, I’m left with one choice: get in now or be left in the cold. Waiting for the scores to roll in is a luxury that we know longer have with Fabre Montmayou. Good for the winery, but not so good for us. Rest assured though, the 2020 Cabernet Franc Herve sent me is fantastic, and will surely be minted with the same kind of high-flying praise as the vintage before it. But by that time, you’ll only have a bottle or two left in the cellar.
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