Featured User: Ken Venezio

Ken Venezio is an aspiring wine enthusiast with a passion for family, cooking, music, all sports and a better than average golfer. Ken is a husband, dad, and hard working sales professional that loves to share a well prepared meal that’s been paired with a great wine. Delectable: What sparked your passion for wine? Ken Venezio: My Italian heritage got me started years ago making wine with my uncles and their friends. I quickly moved from the basement barrel to other regions, expanded my taste profile and haven't looked back since. Every bottle unlocks another potential for greatness. D: What wine region are you wild about right now? KV: I always enjoy the Oregon Pinots for their variety and ability to pair with almost every meal. D: What is the most unusual wine you’ve ever tried? KV: 100% Roussanne from a Frenchman producing wines in the Texas Hill Country . D: What is your golden rule for wine? KV: Drink what you like. Wine is like music. There are no rules for what gives you enjoyment. Be your own judge and jury. When your mood changes, try something new. D: Say you’re not allowed to have wine, what is your second option? KV: I'm afraid I'd be in therapy, but I do enjoy an occasional Extra Añejo tequila . D: Choose a movie, book, quote, or song and pair it with a wine KV: The Godfather: Any 2010 Barolo Cannubi . Opens to a soft floral nose and gradually builds in complexity through a long finish. The Godfather II: Penfolds Grange Bin 95 . Grabs your attention from the first sip and continues to power punch you for the next 3 hours. D: If you were a wine, what wine would you be? KV: I’d be an easy drinking Barbera or a Cab Franc . Blends well with others, easy on the palate and very little drama.

Robert Biale Vineyards

Black Chicken Napa Valley Zinfandel 2016

Ken Venezio

9.2

I'm a former club member and love all of Robert Biale wines. The Black Chix is a perennial fav. Loads of upfront mocha and spiced cinnamon. More fruit forward than most zins but a nice mix of structure and balance with subtle tannins. 2016 drinking well. Paired with a chicken parm. Why not!!!!! — 5 years ago

Shay, Dawn and 14 others liked this

Department 66

D 66 Côtes Catalanes Grenache Blend

Ken Venezio

9.1

Inky purple in the glass with loads of jam, figs, black fruits and blackberry on the palate. This is a big bold wine of mostly Grenache. Nice long finish where you might get some fennel or anise. — 5 years ago

Shay, P and 3 others liked this

Component Wine

Sémillon

Ken Venezio

9.0

Attended a Component wine tasting with winemaker/ owner Michael Kennedy. Our team all loved the Semillon. Totally unique wine. Crisp, elegant and refreshing as a stand alone Semillon. — 5 years ago

Severn and Ron liked this

Hall Wines

Bergfeld St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Ken Venezio

9.3

Inky garnet in the glass. Loads of chocolate and blue fruits on the nose. After a 1 hr decant, this wine shows it's strength. Big and bold juicy cab with loads of plum, cinnamon cloves and spices. The tannins give it a bite, but they're silky smooth. Paired with a Java rub Filet. Great drink from Hall. — 5 years ago

Shay, P and 6 others liked this

Ken Venezio

Two hour decant. OMG. This is a fabulous drink. Tannins have softened to allow the blue fruits and spice move forward. Yummy.

Trixie

Sounds delicious!🍷

State of Mind Wines

An Oregon LS Vineyard Chardonnay 2017

Ken Venezio

9.0

This is obviously a Chardonnay from Oregon. Not a Pinot. Attended a tasting with Vintner Michael Kennedy and this one got my attention. He's trying to refocus on what Oregon chardonnay can offer. This wine delivers that uniqueness. Traditional citrus, apple & pear but with a hint of oak. Coravin'd a glass so we'll give this a few months to mellow. I'll come back on this one. — 5 years ago

Shay, Dawn and 4 others liked this

Shay A

I attended with Claire at the Fort Worth location. I have a couple lockers there. Are you a Classic member?

Ken Venezio

I attend the Southlake events. She's a gem of a friend.

Shay A

@Ken Venezio : Yes, she truly is!

Silenus

Merlot 2012

Ken Venezio

9.0

Very drinkable Merlot that won't break the bank. Notes of spice, milk chocolate and plenty of cherry. The bottle age has softened the tannins enough to enjoy with a lot of different food pairings. We paired with a marinated lemon chicken and it held up against the acidity of the chicken. Nice long finish. — 5 years ago

Dawn, Ron and 2 others liked this

Michele Chiarlo

Cipressi Nizza Barbera d'Asti 2016

Ken Venezio

9.2

I tried for a year to find the 2015. No luck. This is the 2016 and it's a glorious Barbera. Nizza DOCG. Smoky and slate on the nose. Full of flavor with a mouth coating burst on the palate. Just enough acidity to make this a great pairing wine. Tobacco, red fruits, cherry. Yummy goodness and great value from M Chiarlo — 5 years ago

P, Dawn and 3 others liked this

Trixie

Nice descriptive review. Cheers!🍷

Orin Swift

Mercury Head Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Ken Venezio

9.4

It's been years since my last MH Cab and this still delivers. Open to ripe plums, black cherry and blackberries. I also get a lot of lavender. This wine is Full-bodied, with great structure and a long licorice finish. — 5 years ago

Trixie, Shay and 5 others liked this

Hall Wines

Ellie's Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Ken Venezio

9.3

Decanted an hour. This is a flavor bomb. On the nose it's that brand new violet Crayola crayon out of the Mega 64 pack. Bursts of blackberries and cherries on the palate. Crazy long finish. A bit dusty and leathery and a wonderful cab from Hall. — 5 years ago

P, Shay and 5 others liked this

Shay A

Nice. Opened the ‘12 earlier last week.

Ken Venezio

Thoroughly enjoyed the 2011. It's a beautiful place Cab maybe a bit too violet, but loved it.

Trixie

Cheers! 🍷

Belle Glos

Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017

Ken Venezio

9.0

Easy drinking Martini clone Pinot. Spicy, cinnamon and licorice on the nose with loads of cherry, black raspberry and cedar on the palate. This is a good value, go to, everyday Pinot — 5 years ago

Shay, P and 9 others liked this