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
$54.00
This year marks the 10th vintage I’ve tasted of Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme from the winemaker Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate affectionately refers to as the ‘mad scientist’. Let me say this from the start just to remove any shadow of doubt: It’s the best he’s done yet and by far. Here’s why.
2017 wasn’t the easiest of vintages to navigate for the average winemaker in the Southern Rhone. A weird bout of spring weather created headaches for many, with some vineyards not even producing fruit! Those that did had to change their blends or winemaking style– or both. Advantage, Xavier Vignon.
The ‘mad scientist’ is built for these types of challenges. In the best of vintages, Xavier (a chemist by nature) is constantly tinkering– experimenting with different blends, level of extraction, and vineyard sources. Each vintage, he’s able to craft the perfect answer to whatever nature throws his way.
Turbulence in 2017 called for drastic measures. Unlike the softball vintage of the previous year, the 2017 vintage called for a completely new playbook. Xavier cut way down on his extraction instead relying on infusion. The stress on the vines caused the grapes to hold back imparting a rich tannic backbone to the wine that produced a wine that more closely resembles truly legendary vintages like 2007 and even 2010.
So add this one to the canon of those rare vintages of CDP that can continue to age gracefully for 30 years. Of course, the top wines of the vintage are going to cost you. Hommage de Perrins from Beaucastel, but that’ll run you $450 a bottle. Le Clos du Caillou Reserve, with basically the same score – a cool $200 a bottle.
It’s not often that you find value among the most prestigious wines in the world, but that’s exactly what we have today. Buy a bottle of Hommage, why not? Or get six bottles of Xavier Vignon’s Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme and put the extra $100 in your pocket.
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95-97 Points
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Tasted from barrel, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme adds toasty notes, cedar and vanilla to the whirlwind of fruit Vignon was able to harness in 2017. Blueberries, black cherries and stone fruit notes abound in this plush, full-bodied red that remains silky and focused on the long finish. It looks to be a terrific effort.
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92 Points, Vinous – 92 Points, James Suckling – 91 Points, Wine & Spirits
“The 2021 Malbec Reserva, from Vistalba, Lujan de Cuyo, was 60% aged in barrels for 12 months. Purple in color. The nose presents notes of fresh plum and violets, white pepper, strawberry, hints of spice and aromas from the aging process. It’s initially indulgent in the mouth, with good fat, and volume and a velvety texture. The flavors are bold and full-bodied. This 2021 overdelivers at the price.” -Vinous
91 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Always the one with the most personality of the bunch, this is what Wine Enthusiast had to say about the 2021 release: “This extremely ripe and bold style of Pinot Noir will please those seeking such lushness. Dark in the glass, it begins with black cherry, toasty caramel and cola milk shake aromas.” The cool, coastal days and abundance of sunshine lines up perfectly for a wine that has a good natural acidic backbone, with bold fruit-forward flavors. In an easy 2021 vintage, Joe Wagner had a field day with this single-vineyard beauty.
It’s no surprise the Wine Advocate has called the Ventoux a “screaming bargain.” Carved off the left bank of the Rhone River, the 2020 Delas Ventoux is a gorgeous medium-bodied wine with wonderful crushed red fruits, a silky mouthfeel, tremendous structure and that signature Rhone spice on the finish. I haven’t had this wine available for a few vintages, but I figure it’s the perfect springtime Red to bring back in the fold!
Not Eligible for Futher Discount-From famed winemaker, Robert Foley comes an absolute delight of a bottle of wine. A seamless Bordeaux blend of 80% Cabernet, 17% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot that is incredibly smoothly now but should have another decade easy of prime drinking. It is the definition of a Saturday Night bottle of wine. One to cherish for a special occasion.
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