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
$48.00 $36.00
The most exciting Chianti Riserva I taste every year is, without a doubt, the masterpiece that comes from Castello di Volpaia. Their track record is unparalleled.
Between making the #1 rated Chianti Classico Riserva in Wine Spectator’s history (even outpointing Castello di Ama’s $400/bottling), their multiple Top 100 appearances or their slew of big scores across the board for their wines, it’s a non-stop winemaking clinic over there.
This year, the price is set to rise by 15% and my marketing team said there was no way we could offer it. Unbeknownst to them, I had already bought half a pallet and in the process managed to negotiate down to the beat last year’s price by 10%. That’s a 25% swing.
The only hitch was, we have to go out ahead of the pack. So here’s your first dibs on one of the most expressive Sangioveses in the world.
The 2019 is a must have for any fans of cellar-worthy Italian red wines. It’s a structured Chianti Riserva, with a ton of character. The nose is intense with notes of leather surrounding a core of bright red fruits. The flavors are intense and the finish is long with lingering Bing Cherry notes that absolutely sing.
Obviously, since we’ve got the first crack at it, not all the ratings are in and it probably wouldn’t matter anyway as these will not stick around for long. But Wine Spectator has already weighed in with a 94-point score and a glowing review.
Out of stock
94 Points, Wine Spectator
A bright yet firmly structured Chianti Classico, with iron, leather, almond and floral accents surrounding a core of cherry fruit. Sleek and intense, with a lingering finish echoing cherry, red berry and mineral notes. Best from 2024 through 2040.
Roasted Leg of lamb or Grandma’s Sunday sauce are both a perfect match.
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.
99 Points, James Suckling – 98 Points, Wine Enthusiast – 97 Points, Parker’s Wine Advocate
“This is an exceptional vintage of this exceptional wine, its foundation built around 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, with dustings of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Beautiful in berry fruit, textured and refined tannin and hints of lavender, licorice and sage, it has complexity and energy in equal measure, lengthy and beautifully focused, a truly impressive achievement of site, vintage and winemaker.” -Wine Enthusiast
100 Points, Decanter
“Finely textured, with a nuanced perfume that fills the glass and takes you to the intense underbrush of Tuscany. Succulent and yet savory, this has a lilting freshness that is overlaid with ripe berry fruits, sage and white pepper spice, and clear minerality in terms of its scraping texture that makes your mouth water on the finish. Feels light and sculpted and yet has an intensity that skewers you to the spot. This is a great wine, with scope and imagination that doesn’t want to let you go. Genuinely stands out among the wines of this tasting, and these are a fine array of wines. As with Colore, Bibi Graetz selects only old vines, the youngest 50 years old from five different vineyard sites across Tuscany, all farmed organically.”
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.
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