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
$20.00 $17.75
Tenuta Sant’Antonio is a force in Italy. Led by the four Castagnedi brothers, the estate has been doing amazing things for the past fifteen years, making what The Wine Advocate’s Chief Editor, Monica Larner calls, her absolute all-time favorite Amarone and “beautiful top-end wines” but she said they also show, “special talents when it comes to their terrific Scaia entry-level wines.” That is ridiculously high praise, but well deserved. She’s not wrong.
In vintages like 2017, some wineries get nervous with a hot vintage. But true champions of Amarone and Cabernet Sauvignon welcome the hotter vintages, most of the time even thriving in them. For the Castagnedi brothers, who spent their entire lives walking through the vineyards in the hot Italian sun, it is where they feel most at home.
Antonio Castagnedi was a winegrower in the east Valpolicella through the late 20th century, who built a small empire and then left 50 acres of vineyards to his four sons, Armando, Tiziano, Paolo and Massimo. Together, the boys took the opportunity and ran with it, making ‘Tenuta Sant’Antonio a big-time international name, with the words, “Famiglia Castagnedi” on the label a reminder of the family that launched it into fame.
Their Scaia Cabernet Torre Mellotti is a steal every vintage, but in hot years it is exceptional. Just look at what The Wine Advocate had to say!!! “Honestly, it’s almost impossible to imagine Cabernet Sauvignon reaching these levels of intensity at this price point.” Frankly, that should be enough to tip your curiosity, but if you need more- I had this wine last week, I can talk about it all day.
91 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
It’s great to see that Tenuta Sant’Antonio has expanded its fantastic line of Scaia entry-level wines (all closed with a handy glass cork). These are absolutely some of the best value deals you’ll get from the Veneto in northern Italy. The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Scaia Torre Mellotti shows ripe fruit with barbecue spice, mahogany smoke, bacon fat, sweet blackberry confit and exotic spice. Honestly, it’s almost impossible to imagine Cabernet Sauvignon reaching these levels of intensity at this price point. The hot 2017 vintage plays a big role in defining this wine.
92 Points, James Suckling
Lots of inviting aromas of black cherry, violet, blueberries and spice. The wine attacks you from the first sip with its vibrancy and energy. It’s ready to go, I promise you that. A full-bodied, robust mouthfeel with generous dollops of blue and black fruits, good tannic structure and great balance. Leaves a pleasant aftertaste that has you coming back for another sip time and time again. James Suckling was a big fan, calling it a “gorgeous Red” and a “delicious Morellino”. If you haven’t had a Morellino yet, but love Italian Reds, here you go.
Winemaker Marjorie Gallet’s Effet Papillon Rouge is a terrific blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignane, harvested from the iron rich soil just outside of Rivesaltes at the base of Pyrenees. This one is a vibrant wine, with aromas of wild black raspberries and sweet spices. The mid palate is rich and velvety, with a core of sweet black fruit that finishes fresh, long and silky. At the price, it’s a no-brainer case buy.
Obviously, I can’t tell you all the details of the vineyard source but I can let you in on a few of the details. Crafted using fruit from 1000-1500 ft in elevation, Chad’s 2019 is cool climate Pinot at its best– especially given the price tag. While similar wines (very similar wines) will fetch a $45 price tag, you can snag it today just less than half off that price on bottle one. There’s no surprise this is the #1 wine of the year in 2020.
The 2019 Fiancetto Howell Mt. Cabernet is restrained at first, needing air to develop its full signature of cedar laced cassis nose and mid palate of chocolate-covered cherries and savory spices. Full and plush it finishes long and fresh. This is a serious Cabernet for serious Cabernet fans. The price is crazy for Howell Mountain Cabernet at just $54 per bottle but that’s what Ry Richards and Fiancetto is all about.
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