Tag Archives: Karen MacNeil

Cab Fest Napa Valley, March 4-6, 2016, to benefit the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center

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CabFestCabFest Napa Valley, the premier luxury lifestyle event that celebrates Cabernet Sauvignon and benefits the arts, is set to return to the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater in Yountville, California, March 4 – 6, 2016.

CabFest Napa Valley, a world-class, three-day arts benefit event, will again feature hundreds of wineries showcasing tastes of Napa’s flagship wine varietal Cabernet Sauvignon, an exclusive selection of wines curated by The Wine Bible author Karen MacNeil, vibrant grand wine tastings, intimate boutique wine tastings, innovative cuisine, interactive and informative breakout sessions and live entertainment including a performance by recording artist Mat Kearney, as well as VIP and limited-access experiences and after parties.

wine“While CabFest Napa Valley is definitely a celebration of this region’s signature wine varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon, it is also a reflection of the finest combined elements of wine country including the food, live entertainment, people and trendsetters that personify the Napa Valley lifestyle,” said CabFest Napa Valley Producer, Michael Madden. “We are proud to also announce that we will again stage this event with our beneficiary non-profit partner, the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater.”

A preview of just some of the 2016 CabFest Napa Valley Event Mat KearneySchedule includes:

• CabFest Napa Valley Kickoff Concert with headliner, recording artist Mat Kearney, followed by the highly-popular and exclusive “Cigars and Guitars” after party for VIP pass holders.

• Daily Grand Karen MacNeilTastings and Boutique Tastings featuring hundreds of wines, as well as the CabFest Symposium with wine world stars such as wine author Karen MacNeil, winemakers, sommeliers and chefs.

• The release of the new hardcover book the CabFest Napa Valley – Premium Guide to Cabernet Sauvignon, First Edition.
About CabFest Napa Valley 2016

CabFest Napa Valley is a luxury lifestyle celebration of wine, food and entertainment, created to attract a wide audience to the Napa Valley during the shoulder season and simultaneously benefit local arts education. The inaugural CabFest Napa Valley attracted more than 2,000 patrons, with 70% of the attendees traveling from outside the area (17 states and more than three countries). For tickets, or to participate or sponsor, visit CabFestNapaValley.com or call 707.944.9900.

Tickets are also available at the Lincoln Theater Box Office at 100 California Drive in Yountville, California from 11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

For more information visit CabFestNapaValley.com.
Like CabFest on Facebook and Follow on Twitter, and Instagram.

About the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater

The Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater is a non-profit performing arts organization dedicated to the cultural and artistic education and well-being of the Napa Valley. The Performing Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that nurtures the next generation of artists and audiences through extensive arts education programs, while sustaining a more vibrant and engaged community, through initiatives ranging from presenting world-renowned artists and producing Symphony Napa Valley, to creating and sustaining arts education and access programs in schools, to producing arts and culture education and outreach on site at Lincoln Theater.

Sweet Triumph: The Great First Growth of Royal Tokaji

Royal Tokaji wine tasting with panelists: Legendary Larry Stone, MS, Charlie Mount of Royal Tokaji, Karen MacNeil of The Wine Bible, Pebble Beach April 2015 500Carlton McCoy, MS of The Little Nell, and Royal Tokaji Co-founder Ben Howkins.

I was honor to be here at the Royal Tokaji tasting with the Co-Founder Ben Howkins himself, and panelists for the top celebrated wine professionals in the world at the beautiful Pebble Beach on a Saturday afternoon. There was absolutely nothing I would rather do more than being there in the great company of other wine professionals and Royal Tokaji fans alike, there was about 30 of us here. I got to drink Royal Tokaji Mézes Mály of every single vintage was ever produced, except the 1993 vintage when Royal Tokaji was Pebble Beach April 2015 502founded, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2009. “We had one tasting like this since Royal Tokaji was founded since 1993, so this is only our second time. This amazing line up of First Growth tasting will never happen again.” Charlie Mount said.

I thought I should savor to the very last drop of this delicious sweet Pebble Beach April 2015 501wine, or I can just stare at it with my camera so that moment would last longer. History was made at Pebble Beach Food & Wine this year and I was there.

After an hour and 15 minutes of educational, informative and enjoyable to walk through one of the world’s most royal and historic wine regions, and most notably, the world’s first-recorded first growth vineyard – Mézes Mály in Tokaj. “Think of Champagne, Madeira, and here we have Royal Tokaji , the reason we’re all here now because we want to preserve the legacy of Royal Tokaji .” said Larry Stone, MS.

Pebble Beach April 2015 505Wines from Tokaj region in Northeast Hungary, located 240 kilometers Northeast of Budapest in the Zemplén Mountains, have been considered the world’s finest since 17th century. These outstanding wines deliver concentrated orange and honeyed sweetness, combined with steely minerality Pebble Beach April 2015 506and astonishing clean acidity, and they will continue to develop and evolve for decades to come.

Royal Tokaji  was founded in 1990 by well-known author Hugh Johnson and a small group of investors who were inspired after the fall of Communism to restore and preserve Hungary’s precious wine legacy, to craft and age these exceptional Aszú wines. Royal Tokaji ’s first growth single-vineyards (and great-first-growth Mézes Mály) have always been privately owned. Betsek and Szr. Tamás were owned by Prince Rakoczi I and Prince Rakoczi II.” Charlie Mount continued to explain to us about the wonderful history of this wine and the story of Royal Tokaji. I was simply amazed.

In Tokaj, the volcanic soil, climate, indigenous grape varieties, Pebble Beach April 2015 504indigenous yeasts ad deep underground cellars, combined with the genius and traditions of their Magyar creators, have withstood 400 years of change.

Royal Tokaji owns more than half of Mézes Mály meaning honeycomb), one of only two vineyards in all of Tokaj to be named as a great first growth in the classification of 1700. It has been referred to as “to be the first choice as the royal table,” an honorable distinction like Chateau d’Yquem in Bordeaux.

royal tokaji karen macneilKaren MacNeil of The Wine Bible,  2nd edition is available everywhere in October 2015, was a great commentator, she was engaged with other panelists to have them describe the tasting notes for the audience throughout the tasting.

Carlton McCoy, MS of The Little Nell,  in Aspen, Colorado was sharp, distinctive, and edgy in the way he describes his tasting notes, the audiences couldn’t get enough of it. McCoy had worked at some of the best restaurants in New York City such as Chef Thomas Keller’s Per Se, Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s Aquavit and Chef Tom Colicchio’s Craft Steak. He was named to Forbes’ list “30 under 30,” Wine Enthusiast’s “Best New Sommelier”

Charlie Mount was passionate about Royal Tokaji. He answered many questions and was very informative with guests. Listened to him while sipping the wines, it was a perfect harmony. He was a great story teller with a passion like no other. Charlie Mount is no stranger to sweet wine, when he compared Royal Tokaji to Chateau d’Yquem; I should have know the connection. The first wine he could remember tasting at the age of 5 was Chateau d’Yquem 1971. After years of branding for LVMH Group, he moved to Champagne Krug and helped to launch the Krug Clos d’Ambonnay, and the expansion of the “Krug Room.”

royal-tokaji ben howkinsAfter an hour or so of tasting and indulging one of the finest wines in the world, I got to talk with Co-Founder and Director at Royal Tokaji Ben Howkins about the legendary Essencia, which I got to taste a spoon of it at the 3 Michelin Star Saison Restaurant in San Francisco, thank you to the introduction of this royal wine by Master Sommelier Mark Bright two years ago. I had the 5 and 6 Puttonyos Aszú many times before but this was the first time I got to try the Essencia. I wasn’t sure what to expect then, but ever since that experience, I became a fan of Royal Tokaji.

“The legendary Essencia, produced in exceptional vintages, is wowing collectors and diners alike, especially when it is served in crystal or porcelain spoon.” Ben Howkins added.

“It took about 200 lbs of grape to produce a bottle of Essencia, so approximately 8 lbs of grape over 7 years, to get 1 spoon of the Essencia. The 2003 Essencia is offered in a beautifully designed brass-hinged wooden boxed carved from Hungarian oak, lined with silk and containing the crystal spoon for sipping. The spoon was designed exclusively for Royal Tokaji, enabling 25 sips per bottle. Essencia is an immortal wine and may last for 200 years.” Charlie Mount added on his last note.

royal tokaji ian cauble carlton mccoyIt was an incredible one in a life time experience of this tasting with Royal Tokaji. I’m humbled by the experience and broaden my knowledge of this royal wine. After the nine first growth vintages of Mézes Mály, with so many tasting notes for me to go back and remember what it was like when I first smell the aroma of each vintage. It’s something that I will never forget, and something I will pass on to my colleagues, my clients, those that will not have this chance ever again in the history of Royal Tokaji tasting.

So if you love Foie Gras as much as I do, ask your sommelier for a pour of Royal Tokaji with the dish, or if you lover cigars, fruit tarts, chocolate desserts, and cheeses, this royal wine can be your newest companion. Don’t forget to tweet or Instagram me your photo, I would love to hear from you, and I hope your experience with Royal Tokaji will be as good as I have.

Website: Royal Tokaji
Twitter: https://twitter.com/royal_tokaji 

by Manda Bear – TwitterInstagram