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
$30.00 $24.00
It’s crazy to think about, but I’ve known and worked with Pete Stolpman and his family’s wines for about 15 years now. He and his vineyard manager, Ruben “the Grape Whisperer” Solorzano, have paired up to make one of Santa Barbara’s most-formidable duos and some of the very best value in all of America with estate Originals Syrah, Uni White, and Sauvignon Blanc bottlings. The latter is the one I HAD to bring you today, as it is one of the best domestic Sauvignon Blancs I can recall tasting. The energy and tension in this Sauvignon Blanc is remarkable.
Antonio Galloni calls Stolpman “without question one of the most improved wineries in Santa Barbara over the last decade.” That’s pretty ridiculous praise when you think about what a critical darling this winery has been, even before Pete handed over the winemaking duties to Kyle Knapp. Previously, the uber-famous Saschi Moorman was at the helm. But somehow, the wines are only getting better.
Galloni credits that to the change in style from heavier, more concentrated wines to wines that now have “notable freshness and verve.” The key difference Galloni argues is now there is a “level of energy and vibrancy to these wines that was missing in the past.”
Today’s Sauvignon Blanc, the 2023 Estate bottling from Stolpman, is absolutely bristling with energy. It’s relentless as soon as you twist open the top. It’s as fresh as could be with inviting aromas of peach, green apple, and citrus. There’s beautiful acid present in the first sip but plenty of fruit to greet you as well. There’s a minerality from crisp lemon-lime notes with some citrus and salinity that infiltrates the palate. It’s a gorgeous, medium bodied wine that absolutely puts to shame most of the past year in domestic Sauvignon Blanc I’ve had in the past year. This is 100% Ballard Canyon Estate fruit, and the price is just silly.
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The newly released Riesling Feinherb 2021 is a lively, juicy wine with an elegant bouquet of minerals, wet stone and ripe fruit. On the palate, the wine’s slight off-dry component is beautifully balanced by the steely acidity typical of the Mosel. Because this is freshly released, the fruit is vibrant and succulent and it comes in somewhere between off-dry and semi-sweet. It’s a great example of Riesling, especially at the price.
Sonoma Coast is well-known as a cool-climate region, perfect for growing Chardonnay. That’s why it’s such a big deal for Route Stock to transition over for the first time from Carnernos over to here. The newly released 2022 beams freshness and comes packed with a delightful energy in its youth. It has 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.
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 2016 vintage in Napa was nearly perfect for winemaker Kian Tavakoli (Opus One, Clos du Val). With ideal weather all throughout harvest, he crafted the Faustini Money Road Chardonnay off the famous vineyard located in the coveted Oakville AVA. The picturesque vineyard off Oakville Crossroad is platinum rated, known for its ideal combination of soil & climate and the big A list names that routinely source fruit. Kian’s Money Road Chard is still youthful despite having a few years of age, probably as a result of its 18 months of slumber in 1/4 new Oak.