Wine With Karren

2012 Staglin 30th Anniversary Selection Cabernet Sauvignon

Karren — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 23:13:55 +0000

Tonight began with bubbles to celebrate a friends visit from South Africa followed by a lovely and special Cab!
My review and rating are as follows:

2012 Staglin 30th Anniversary Selection Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes: Blackberry, cassis, dark cherry, vanilla, oak, chocolate, and tobacco
Characteristics: Rich, smooth, complex, full bodied and full of life for many years to come!
Fabulous paired with Steak or Short Rib!
My Rating: 4.4 / 94 points

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2021 Punta Crena Vigneto Reine Mataossu

Karren — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 23:23:04 +0000

During Hurricane Milton, I was in task mode, including fueling our vehicles, taking out cash, grocery shopping, rearranging outdoor furniture, and preparing meals. My French bulldog, Zoey, provided valuable assistance. Shortly before landfall, I prepared a chicken and vegetable stir-fry, complemented by a delightful white Italian wine. The pairing proved to be exceptionally harmonious and helped distract us from the high winds, heavy rain and flickering lights.
Here is my review and rating:

2021 Punta Crena Vigneto Reine Mataossu
Tasting Notes: Green apple, pear, lemon, peach, mineral and saline
Characteristics: Light to medium bodied with a crisp, clean and acidic finish
Paired well with my homemade chicken and veggie stir fry over white rice
My Rating: 4.2 / 92 points

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Dunn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Karren — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 00:43:32 +0000

Our fifth Steak and Wine Pairing at Chateau Cellars featured an incredible USDA Prime New York Strip with Au Poivre (Pepper Cream) Sauce, expertly paired with the Dunn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019.
The steak exhibited an ideal level of marbling, resulting in exceptional tenderness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture, complemented by the delectable Au Poivre sauce.
The Cabernet Sauvignon displayed a deep and intense color with captivating red-violet hues, invitingly suggesting its suitability as an ideal accompaniment to steak. Its aromatic profile and flavors mirrored this intensity, showcasing ripe fruits, plum and cherry jam, along with subtle hints of black pepper, sweet pepper, soft tobacco, vanilla, and toasted coffee.
Upon tasting, the Cabernet Sauvignon presented a harmonious balance of sweetness and acidity, complemented by a well-structured framework and soft, harmonic tannins. The wine’s lengthy and lingering finish, coupled with a fruity aftertaste, contributed to an exceptional mouthfeel.
This Cabernet Sauvignon demonstrated its versatility, offering enjoyment both as a standalone wine on a cool evening and as a superb pairing with a delectable steak.
I have rated this wine 4.1 out of 5, or 89 points.

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Hurricane Milton Prep = Chablis and Sonoma Pinot

Karren — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 23:33:48 +0000

In preparation for the impending Hurricane Milton, which is set to make landfall in our great state of Florida tomorrow evening, I hosted a family dinner and wine pairing.
During my recent visit to Connecticut, I procured three types of cheeses from my preferred cheese shop, Fairfield Cheese Company. These cheeses paired beautifully with the Chablis I selected.
The main course consisted of my oven-roasted chicken, potatoes, vegetables, bacon, gravy, and broccoli, which was complemented by a Sonoma County Pinot Noir.

Here are my reviews and ratings for tonight’s wines:

2021 Billaud-Simon Chablis
Tasting Notes: Lemon, mineral, stone, green apple, oak, vanilla, hay, saline, and pineapple
Characteristics: Dry and medium + acidity. Fresh, bright, crisp, clean, expressive with a long finish. Great value Burgundy!
Paired beautifully with a cheese plate!
My Rating: 4.1 / 91 points

2021 Macmurray Estate Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: Red fruit, oak, vanilla, tobacco, earthy, leather, black fruit, floral, spice, and licorice
Characteristics: Excellent value, cellar defender. Easy drinking, smooth, dry, balanced, juicy yet subtly earthy
Paired well with Roasted Chicken and Veggies!
My Rating: 4.0 / 90 points

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2018 Chateau Laroque Saint-Emilion Grand Cru (Grand Cru Classe)

Karren — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 23:53:04 +0000

On Saturday evening, I prepared a grilled T-bone steak (New York Strip/Filet on the bone) with creamy mashed potatoes, green beans with bacon, and sauteed mushrooms for dinner. I paired the meal with a Bordeaux Blend that complemented the steak’s saltiness and richness.

2018 Chateau Laroque Saint-Emilion Grand Cru (Grand Cru Classe)
Tasting Notes: Black and blue fruit, tobacco, floral, spice, oak, vanilla, leather, earth, cassis, and black tea
Characteristics: Medium + bodied, with a long, smooth, and layered finish
My Review: 4.3+ / 93+ points

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2021 Ginestra Etna Calcaneus Review of Bianco and Rosso

Karren — Sat, 21 Sep 2024 16:31:28 +0000

This evening, I uncorked a bottle of 2021 Ginestra Etna Bianco and enjoyed a chilled glass while preparing an old family recipe of meatloaf and mashed potatoes. With dinner, I paired it with a delightful Italian red, 2021 Etna Rosso.

My review of tonight’s wines are as follows:

2021 Ginestra Etna Bianco Calcaneus
Tasting notes: Lemon, grapefruit, green apple, mineral, honey, hay, saline and tropical notes
Characteristics: Light, fresh, crisp and acidic
My Rating: 4.3 / 93 Points

2021 Etna Rosso Calcaneus
Tasting notes: Red fruit, black fruit, cherry, plum, perfume, floral and earthy notes with hints of smoke
Characteristics: Smooth and harmonious with a lingering delicate finish
My Rating: 4.4 / 94 Points
Both of these wines are an excellent value priced around $20 and can be enjoyed on their own or paired with a meal. They are a great addition to any wine collection and I will definitely buy more to add to mine and enjoy with family and friends.

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Pizza, Pinot, Pinotage and Rose!

Karren — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 23:17:46 +0000

The night began with Rose and then followed with Pizza, Pinot and Pinotage.

We conducted a blind tasting A/B comparison between the 2017 Bernard Huber Malterdinger GG and the 2017 Single Vineyard Malterdinger to assess any notable differences in taste and characteristics. Our objective was to determine if there was a significant distinction between an entry-level wine and the estate’s premier wine from the same vintage. The tasting resulted in a tie, with two participants favoring the Single Vineyard and two, including myself, preferring the GG (Great Growth). Both wines were decanted and chilled prior to the tasting.

My tasting notes are as follows:

2017 Bernard Huber Malterdinger
Tasting Notes: Earthy, leather, mushroom, barnyard, wet leaves, vanilla, pepper, spice, dark and red fruit
Characteristics: Smooth, layered, long finish
My Rating: 4.0 / 90 points

2017 Bernard Huber Malterdinger GG
Tasting Notes: Ripe strawberry and cherry, rhubarb, cedar, orange peel, cola, pepper, dark fruit, earth, leather, stone, and subtle smoky notes
Characteristics: Fruit forward, dry, acidic, bright, bitey tannins with a medium finish
My Rating: 4.3 / 93 points

2021 Franschhoek Cellar Stone Bridge Pinotage
Tasting Notes: Tobacco, oak, vanilla, spice, black fruit, red fruit, leather, earth, vegetal, and floral
Characteristics: Chewy tannins, acidic, layered with a smooth finish
My Rating: 3.9 / 89 points

2021 Rimauresq Cru Classe
Tasting Notes: Mineral, stone fruit, red fruit, spice and citrus
Characteristics: Clean and crisp with a dry minerally finish
My Rating: 3.8 / 88 points

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2020 Roux Pere & Fils Saint-Aubin Les Frionnes Premier Cru Blanc

Karren — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 23:24:26 +0000

Tonight, I prepared homemade gluten-free air-fried chicken drumettes coated in a sweet and spicy Asian zing sauce, accompanied by a vegetable lo mein. To complement our dinner, I selected a White Burgundy.
While wine may not be the conventional choice for pairing with wings, I am an adventurous wino who relishes challenging and creative combinations.
I was pleasantly surprised that the wine tempered the spiciness and accentuated the sweetness of the sauce, resulting in a smooth and delightful pairing.
I encourage you to embrace your adventurous spirit, explore a diverse range of wines, and trust your personal preferences when selecting the perfect wine to accompany your meal.
Serving what you and/or your guests enjoy is most important!
My tasting notes for this evenings wine pairing are as follows:

2020 Roux Pere & Fils Saint-Aubin Les Frionnes Premier Cru Blanc
Grapes: Chardonnay
Tasting Notes: Citrus, vanilla, toast, apple, and tropical and honey notes
Characteristics: Medium bodied, acidic yet smooth and rounded with a slight creamy texture. Drinks beautifully paired with food or on its own. Also a great value for a Burgundy priced under $55.
My Rating: 4.5 / 95 points

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2016 Beringer Rhine House Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Karren — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 23:37:14 +0000

Last night, I grilled up a beautiful ribeye with a side of roasted broccoli and wild rice. The ribeye paired beautifully. It’s tannins, and dry, bold flavors along with its fruit forward acid complemented the steaks rich flavor, and fatty texture. The coarse, peppery rub that I spiced the steak with was a perfect compliment to the pepper and spice notes in the Cab.

2016 Beringer Rhine House Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes: Blackberry, cassis, oak, vanilla, chocolate, leather, pepper, earth and red fruit
Characteristics: After chilling and 2+ hours of decanting, this dark beauty was bold, smooth, layered, masculine with a velvety lingering finish
My Rating: 4.4 / 94 points

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Happy National Port Day!

Karren — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 23:41:30 +0000

September 10th holds dual significance in the wine industry. It is not only celebrated as National Port Wine Day, but it also marks a pivotal moment in wine history—the establishment of the world’s oldest demarcated wine region, the Duoro, in 1756. On this day, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to our esteemed Port producers and acknowledge the profound legacy of Portugal’s Duoro Valley.

Cheers! Happy National Port Day!

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