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”.
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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.
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92 Points, Wine Enthusiast
This is a huge favorite of folks in the Red Bank area. 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 the sheer drinkability of it all. Either way, it’s a Chard that people adore. It’s no wonder Wine Enthusiast called this, “a big win for fans of this bold style”.
2022 was an absolutely perfect vintage in this respect and unfortunately, I think it will be one of the last, if not THE last. As winegrower Jean-Marc Brocard reported to Decanter: “When we taste the wines, we feel that the balance between acidity and ripeness is very good. It’s a classic style of Chablis. In the end, even after such a heat during summertime, we stay in a cool year reference.” He also alluded to the ageability of the vintage, saying “Let’s give them time, we must let nature do its work.”
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
Elena Walch’s newly released 2022 Pinot Bianco continues to be the best example of Pinot Blanc anywhere. She’s the undisputed queen. There’s so much energy in this new release. Super light in color, with a busy nose that boasts ripe aromas of citrus, granny smith apple with a hint of freshly mowed grass. Made entirely in stainless steel, the wine is expressive, fresh and finishes as clean and tight as can be. Definitely will continue the run of 90+ scores once this one is reviewed.
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