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
$18.00
#19 Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Wines of 2020
Vina Robles was founded in the early 1990’s by Swiss businessman, Hans Nef for the purpose of bringing together the Old World wine vision which he grew up idolizing with the exciting possibilities that New World wine brings.
In building his winery, Vina Robles, he spared no expense at all, amassing six estate vineyards throughout Paso Robles that serve as the foundation for the red-wine dominant winery. It’s not just grape growing that is part of the winery’s vision. A big part of what they do is farming, growing and planting trees. It’s the inspiration behind the name of the winery’s Red Blend that has been causing such a big stir of late, the Arborist Estate Red blend.
The super expressive, lively, dark-fruited Syrah dominant blend provides absurd value each year considering the quality in the bottle. But in a wonderful 2018 vintage for really all of California and in Paso in particular, the Arborist borders on exceptional.
Wine Enthusiast gave the wine a 94pt Editors’ Choice designation and called it “a screamingly good deal” before ultimately slotting it in as the #19 best wine of the year in their annual Top 100 list. With only 20 cases left in the country, I took them all– but am only texting them to a small group of people. You’re not going to want to miss this one!
Out of stock
94 Points (Editors’ Choice), Wine Enthusiast
This is a screamingly good deal, offering both hedonistic pleasure and complexity through a blend of 41% Syrah, 35% Petite Sirah, 12% Grenache, 12% Tannat. Aromas of roasted cherry, smoked meat and cola spice lead into a hearty palate of black currant, roasted game and licorice. It’s balanced by bright acidity, making for a sip that will satisfy many.
Now some of the best Pinot Noir in the world comes from the Yamhill-Carlton District (this small neck of the woods has earned its own AVA) and specifically from Shea Vineyards. Big name wineries clamor for fruit: Antica Terra, Beaux Freres, Bergstrom, Penner-Ash, & Sine Qua Non, to name a few. This Pinot is lights out and even given the pedigree, drinks several echelons higher. Blueberry, Blackberry, Blue Cheese (?!?), chanterelle mushrooms, lavender, mint – I could go on. It’s literally got it all, but I won’t spoil it for you.
97 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
The flagship from Xavier is the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvee Anonyme, and in 2019 it’s 60% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, and the balance a mix of permitted varieties. Partially destemmed and brought up in a mix of demi-muids and tank, it offers a beautifully pure, vibrant bouquet of black raspberries, white and black pepper, candied orange, and violets. Complex, layered, and nuanced, this beauty is medium to full-bodied, has a seamless texture, and a great finish. It has both elegance and richness, and will keep for 15+ years.
Soon to be Rated
With Herve and Fabre Montmayou wracking up NYT features, huge scores, gold medals and lifetime achievement awards, I’m left with one choice: get in now or be left in the cold. Waiting for the scores to roll in is a luxury that we know longer have with Fabre Montmayou. Good for the winery, but not so good for us. Rest assured though, the 2020 Cabernet Franc Herve sent me is fantastic, and will surely be minted with the same kind of high-flying praise as the vintage before it. But by that time, you’ll only have a bottle or two left in the cellar.
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 one of the easier no-brainer case buys we offer.
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