Kuhlman Cellars Thanksgiving Wine Review and Pairings
Nothing improves a holiday table like a well-chosen bottle of wine shared with friends and family. I was pleased to sample a Thanksgiving trio from Kuhlman Cellars — a Texas winery — and report back on how these bottles perform as holiday pairings. Below is my Kuhlman Cellars Thanksgiving wine review, based on a tasting with a couple of enthusiastic helpers.
Kuhlman Cellars sent the Thanksgiving bundle: a 2018 Hensell rosé, a 2018 Estate White, and a 2016 Alluvé red blend. I tasted them alongside my daughter and a friend; we paired the wines with a simple snack board of crackers, cheeses and dips to evaluate how each would work with holiday fare.
Kuhlman Cellars Hensell Rosé
We began with the 2018 Hensell rosé. Rosé is hit-or-miss for me—sometimes too sweet or overly sharp—so I was relieved to find this bottle balanced and approachable. The aroma leans toward red berries and floral notes, and on the palate it offers a pleasant, moderate sweetness without cloying sugar. Acidity is present but restrained, giving a clean finish rather than a harsh bite.
All three of us enjoyed this rosé with our appetizers. It paired nicely with crackers and mild cheeses and would be a versatile option for pre-dinner pours during Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving. As Kuhlman Cellars describes it, the wine offers red berry and violet aromas with a soft mouthfeel, round mid-palate and medium acidity that lingers through the finish.
Kuhlmination Estate White Wine
Next was the 2018 Kuhlmination Estate White, a Gold Medal winner at the 2018 Lone Star International Wine Competition. This estate blend of Marsanne and Roussanne was harvested late July 2018 and is 100% estate fruit. It shows a floral, fruit-forward profile with aromas of jasmine and fresh white peach.
On the palate, the Estate White balances mouthwatering acidity with honeysuckle and lemon drop flavors, making it crisp but not sharp. In our tasting it complemented salty crackers and cheeses and will pair well with classic Thanksgiving turkey and sides. It’s a versatile white that works just as well for holiday meals as it would on a warm summer afternoon.
2016 Kuhlman Cellars Alluvé Red
Finally, we tasted the 2016 Alluvé, Kuhlman Cellars’ proprietary red blend. Its composition is 28% Malbec, 24% Mourvèdre, 21% Carignan, 12% Tempranillo, 10% Zinfandel and 5% Petite Sirah, resulting in a layered, medium-bodied wine.
The Alluvé displays bright red fruit, bramble and savory notes such as anise and thyme, reflecting its Texas terroir. We found it complex and velvety, with enough structure to stand up to richer dishes. It quickly became our favorite of the three and is one we’ll order for the holiday table; it pairs beautifully with heartier sides and even some desserts that can handle a bolder red.
Although described as an “everyday drinking wine,” the Alluvé strikes the balance between approachable and special—perfect for both casual dinners and holiday celebrations.
Kuhlman Cellars Thanksgiving Wine Bundle Tested
This tasting included the following wines from Kuhlman Cellars:
2018 Hensell (rosé)
2018 Estate White (Marsanne/Roussanne)
2016 Alluvé (red blend)
Kuhlman Cellars Thanksgiving Wine Review — Pin It
If you’re selecting wines for Thanksgiving or a holiday gathering, this trio from Kuhlman Cellars offers delightful options: a versatile rosé for appetizers, a crisp, award-winning estate white for turkey and sides, and a rich, food-friendly red blend for heartier dishes. Save this review for your wine-shopping list, and if you try these bottles, I’d love to hear how they paired with your holiday menu.
