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
$60.00 $48.99
In the Fall of 2008, Issue #179 of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate arrived in subscriber mailboxes. It contained an exhaustive report on the 2007 vintage, one that Parker described as the best since 1978.
If Beaucastel’s Homage de Jacques Perrin led the charge with a perfect 100pt score, it was Parker’s review of the first releases from brilliant enologist, Xavier Vignon, that took collectors by surprise.
In late 2008, I flew to Paris. While everyone zipped down to Orange by train, I’m the moron who won’t get on a train and had to rent a car. After a two hour catnap, I took a cold shower and met Xavier Vignon for dinner at Restaurant Beaugravieres.
Between Xavier’s spiel on the importance of ph in wine along with tasting some of the most famous CdPs from the 07 vintage, my head was spinning coming out of this multi hour lunch.
After tasting one of Xavier’s own Chateauneuf-du-Papes in the context of all those powerhouse wines of the appellation, I locked into 240 bottles over a year before it was released, then returned to Middletown wondering what the heck I was going to do with all that Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
The rest is pretty much Nicholas Wines history and our friendship continues to this day. So when an Austrian importer called to finally arrange for the belated pick up of their coveted 2016 allocation – Xavier gave me the call.
Out of stock
92 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
The 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape is a full-bodied blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah, aged in a mix of concrete and wood vessels. Ripe stone fruit, raspberries and cherries cascade across the palate, framed by creamy-supple tannins and mouthwatering acids. While approachable now, there’s enough structure to warrant cellaring for up to a decade.
A perennial favorite, this wine constantly garners the accolades it deserves. It’s a terrific wine– one of the best to come from Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Weight | 2 lbs |
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Great with red meat, poultry or even some carpaccio or tuna tartare.
The 2019 North Coast vintage in Napa and Sonoma for Cabernet Sauvignon is outrageously good. The big three wine critics have already come in calling it one of the best of the last few decades. Of course, Chad Alexander finds himself in the right place at the right time. If there’s someone who can churn out full-bodied, well-structured Cabernet Sauvignon that can compete with the big boys at a fraction of the price, it’s Chad. Cherry cola, blackberries, fig jam and a hint of sage on the palate with plenty of depth and complexity. This has a solid, juicy core and a smooth, lingering finish. This baby should drink well for two decades at least.
93 Points, Wine Spectator – 92 Points, Wine & Spirits
It’s true that the 2019 is more concentrated than its predecessor. Although at this elevation and with all the direct sunlight, vintage variation matters less than it might in less desirable locales. “The Estate of Seven Skies” is named for the view atop the tiny estate and is perched high up on a hill overlooking Bolgheri as well as the original Sassicaia vineyard, the most famous Super Tuscan wine of all. The 2019 Tenuta Sette Cieli “Yantra” is an absolute stunner crafted by a rising winemaking star in Elena Pozzolini.
This year, the Eastside Cuvee hails from a primo vineyard just off the Silverado Trail– perfectly positioned next to neighbors Caymus and Frog’s Leap and just down the road, Quintessa. Amongst the elite, Carl Roy’s team locked into some incredible fruit, with gorgeous blackberry jammy opulence, firm grippy tannins and that signature Rutherford earthiness to the finish that many try to emulate but can only be produced off the special soil from which this beauty was created.
From two New Jersey natives comes something special from Napa Valley. First the Faustini’s bought grapes from the historic Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard for their first test batch. Next they brought in Opus One & Clos du Val alum Kian Tavakoli to head up the winemaking. Throw in an outrageously good 2016 vintage in Napa and what you have is the recipe for a knockout wine that is starting to come into its own and will be great for the next 10-20 years!
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