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
$44.00
Starting their own Napa Valley-based project in 1980, the Rombaeurs had to bottle their Chardonnays at the Stag Leap Cellars winery until theirs was built. By 1982, they had finished their own state-of-the-art winery, an incredible spot which would serve as the winemaking home for Dominus, Neyers, Spottswoode, Duckhorn, Merryvale, and Corison, amongst others, for decades to come.
Though having their own winery was huge, arguably the biggest breakthrough for the Rombauer family came in 1990 when they first purchased grapes from the Sangiacomo family, some of the most iconic Napa Valley winegrowers of all time. From there, it was game over for the competition.
Just two short years later, Rombauer Chardonnay would be featured on the coveted Wine Spectator Top 100 list, the first of six trips to the Top 100 (!) for this iconic bottling. By 2004, they would be named to Wine + Spirits Magazine’s annual ‘Top 10 Most Popular Restaurant Chardonnays,’ a spot which they have held for Every. Single. Vintage. Since. A true driving force.
This is the first year that I’ve been able to offer up this special bottling — a Chardonnay style that competitors have been trying to replicate for 30 years yet still fail to make nearly as well. It’s a bold, unapologetic Chardonnay with juicy notes of peach, lemon sorbet, baking spice, and vanilla with a rich, creamy middle and plenty of natural acidity to balance it out. The lemon vanilla finish is perhaps the wine’s calling card, or perhaps it’s the sheer drinkability of it all. Either way, it’s a Chard that people adore.
In stock
92 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Butter, oak and vanilla flavors dominate the aroma and flavor of this full-bodied, heavily oaked wine. It has a dessert-like quality that is honeyed on the palate and lingers sweetly on the finish. For fans of this bold style, it’s a big win.
Gold Medal (Best in Show), 2023 Mundus Vini International Tasting
The area has also been isolated from the rest of Spain for generations, which has kept the wine prices far lower than wines of this quality would be anywhere else in the world. That’s why, despite having the Torres family name on the bottle and the consistent huge press (including the Gold Medal & Best in Show at the 2023 Mundus Vini International Wine Awards in Germany), these wines can still be scooped up for under $20/bottle. It’s like the Sancerre pricing of yesteryear.
95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2018 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard marks the beginning of winemaker Joe Nielsen’s tenure at the winery. Pouring a medium yellow with a light golden hue, it’s most reserved of the flight aromatically at the moment, with yellow chamomile flowers, ripe peach, beeswax, and white flowers. Full-bodied, it retains excellent tension and focus on the palate, with apricot, orange zest, and a savory finish with a bit of spice. I suspect this will come around and open with time. Drink 2024-2030.” -Jeb Dunnuck
The Zenato family has built up quite the reputation for delivering exceptional value with their red and whites in Veneto. Their Pinot Grigio is a particularly great value, punching way above its weight class. Delicately scented and soft on the palate, it offers classic citrus and floral notes in a balanced elegant style. It’s smooth and refreshing with a long, pleasant finish. Great with food.