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One of the highlights of the Tampa art scene, the second annual Margaret Acheson Stuart Society Auction raised nearly $190,000 for the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg. Carte Blanche was a patron, corporate sponsor, and attended the event, donating a Carte Blanche wine dinner as one auction item, in addition to a Legacy Wine Lot from Nick’s personal collection, raising $10,500 for the museum. Festivities began in the Marly Room and the museum’s lavish gardens, and then moved into the gorgeous glass conservatory for a seated dinner from Michael’s on East in Sarasota.  St. Pete native Fred Schrader and his wife, Carol, of Napa’s Schrader Cellars were in attendance, as auctioneer Ben Ferdinand rallied a crowd of national wine lovers.  Check it out.

We visited our friends in North Carolina for the Triangle Wine Experience weekend, participating in a Carte Blanche/Bure Family Wines dinner lot at the home of Eliza Kraft Olander, chairperson of the Triangle Wine Experience.  The auction item included dinner for 40 by Chef Nina Psarros of Nina’s Ristorante, with Carolina Hurricanes hockey stars Ron Francis, Eric Staal, Cam Ward, Jeff Skinner and Brandon Sutter, complemented by wine pairings from Carte Blanche and Val Bure’s Bure Family Wines, all held at the home of Eliza Craft Olander. The evening  was an elegant affair and huge success, raising $50,000 for the Frankie Lemmon School & Development Center. Now in its 20^th year, this philanthropic weekend attracts national wine aficionados.

Known as the Sun Coast’s premier wine and food fest, Sarasota Forks & Corks is a four-day whirlwind of outstanding wine and locally sourced fare. Carte Blanche was honored to take part in both the Grand and Trade Tastings at this sixth annual event. Featuring cuisine by 50 members of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals (a group of independent restaurant owners that champion local culinary legacy) and a global roster of visiting vintners and winery owners, the main event is staged at the famed Ringling Museum of Art. We capped the weekend with a private Carte Blanche and Keplinger Forks & Corks Wine Maker Dinner at the Positano beach home of Nick & Teil Allen on Longboat Key.  An incredible five course menu for 20 guests by Chef Michael Klauber was paired with Keplinger’s 2009  Red Slope and 2009 Lithic, in addition to Carte Blanche’s 2009 Chardonnay, 2009 Sandstone Seven and 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon.

2009  Carte Blanche Cabernet Sauvignon
Review by: Antonio Galloni
Wine Advocate: # 198 (Dec 2011)
Rating: 94
Cost: $125
The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon caresses the palate with deep layers of dark red fruit, rose petals, smoke and espresso. It is a bit more voluptuous and sexy than the 2008 in its sleek, polished personality. All of the elements flow gracefully to the huge, textured finish. The 2009 is 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot  Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019

2009  Carte Blanche Proprietary Red
Review by: Antonio Galloni
Wine Advocate: # 198 (Dec 2011)
Rating: 93
Cost: $95
The 2009 Proprietary Red comes across as quite sumptuous. It lacks some of the classicism of the 2008. Instead, readers will find a wine loaded with dark red fruit, smoke, tar, incense and licorice. This is bigger than the 2008 but not quite as delineated. It makes up for that with gorgeous richness and balance. The 2009 is 47% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024.

Carte Blanche held private wine dinners at the following New York institutions: The Leash (Jan. 19, 2012), The Links (April 12) and The Brook (April 25). A huge thanks to these wonderful NYC institutions for giving Carte Blanche the opportunity to introduce our wines to their members this January and April! The opportunity was greatly appreciated, and a thank you to our hosts.