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
$24.00 $12.95
Unoaked Chards, for whatever reason, seem to be a rarity in California. Of course you can find great ones throughout Burgundy like our perennial favorite, Talmard Macon Uchizy, but in the U.S.? Few and far between.
I guess this one: Few and far between.
This wine is absolutely killer. I’m certain this is going to be a big hit with the Clos Julien crowd and others too. I got this one from the Upper Russian River Valley from a 400-acre ranch in Mendocino at Saracina winery. The wines at Saracina have always been exceptional values ever since David Ramey took on the project as a consultant back in the mid-2000’s.
What sets this apart is the attention to detail… the aromas and bright fruit up front, followed by crisp acidity that winds it tightly together – it’s a racy, energetic unoaked Chardonnay.
Released at $24/btl, you can find it online for as low as $19.99. But after I took all 40 cases left in the country we have an incredible price while the bottles last. Three scores of 90 points or higher (featured below), including a rave 91-point review from Wine Enthusiast who called the wine “nuanced and complex”.
Out of stock
91 Points, Wine Enthusiast
This medium-bodied wine is graceful and well balanced, offering crisp lemon and green-apple flavors on a rather lean, tangy texture. It is nuanced and complex, and has a nice tension from tantalizing acidity.
90 Points, Wine Spectator
Well-structured, with a savory snap to the fresh-cut green apple, Asian pear and preserved lemon flavors, ending with hints of honeysuckle on the crisp, savory finish. Drink now through 2023.
90 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
Outstanding notes of pear, citrus, and orchard fruits as well as a kiss of minerality emerge from the 2019 Chardonnay Unoaked, which comes all from estate fruit in Mendocino and was brought up all in tank. Drink this medium-bodied, balanced, charming white over the coming year or two. It’s another notable value.
The newly released 2021 Domaine Laroche Chablis Saint Martin has some big shoes to fill as the last three vintages have earned 92-points or higher, but the early indications are that this is line with previous vintages if not even a little bit ahead at this stage. The problem is – there’s almost none to go around with much smaller yields. Still this is beautiful and crisp, with good focus, energy and depth. I get the signature green fruits on the nose, with some Asian pear, and a hint of jasmine blossom. There’s a beautiful mineral streak that highlights this one. It’s a fantastic White Burg for the price.
The sandy soil of north Piemonte is home to the appellation Roero and the indigenous variety, Arneis. Stefano Almondo is a master of the rare variety, crafting aromatic and mineral wines that rival any of the best white wines in Italy. The newly released 2021 Vigne Sparse dazzles right out of the bottle; floral and fruity with juicy peaches and apricots yet with a chalky mineral streak as well. As always, it’s such a complex white and the kicker is its finish which goes on for a minute of pure joy.
Carneros is well-known as a cool-climate region, perfect for growing Chardonnay. The newly released 2020 version has a delightful energy in its youth, with a pale straw color with lime hues. The aromas are of honeysuckle, orange blossom and creme brulee with layers of vanilla and a hint of toffee. The palate is lively yet soft with flavors of lemon cream pie and merange.
96 Points, Parker’s Wine Advocate – 96 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2020 Chardonnay Estate Vineyard is scented of apricot, jasmine, cashew and pretty herbal undertones, with youthful new oak spices. The medium-bodied palate offers unmatched concentration and balancing freshness, with a broad, satiny texture, a deep core of stone fruit and a very long, flavorful finish. This will continue to unwind in bottle over the next decade.”
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