Wine usually isn’t our drink of choice with fast food. But Carl’s Jr. thinks its new Steakhouse Angus THICKBURGER® is worthy of a finer dining experience. The restaurant just launched the Carl’s Jr. x Nocking Point Wines Steakhouse Burger Box.
For $82, each box includes a gift card to Carl’s Jr. and three Nocking Point Wines — the 2017 Amell-bec Malbec, 2017 Turnaround Red, and 2016 Year VII Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah Blend. The box also comes with “Steakhouse” recipes curated by Chef Owen that diners can cook at home to enjoy with their Thickburgers and wine.
“The Carl’s Jr. x Nocking Point Wines Steakhouse Burger Box makes a steakhouse dinner easy for everyone, replicating the fine dining experience of a wine pairing from the comfort of your home, while enjoying a delicious Carl’s Jr. Steakhouse THICKBURGER®,” said CKE Vice President of Culinary Innovation and Chef, Owen Klein.
So what would you eat with a THICKBURGER®? The recipe suggestions are definitely a step up from fries and ketchup, while remaining approachable. On the menu: Rosemary Mushrooms & Bacon, Ultimate Mac & Cheese, and a “Brookie” (brownie cookie) a la Mode. While these dishes undoubtedly would make excellent companions to a steakhouse burger, their lengthy ingredients, particularly for the brookie, have us questioning whether they’re the right recipes for fast food diners seeking a quick burger fix.
All three Steakhouse Burger Box wines are made by winemakers at Nocking Point’s winery in Washington’s Walla Walla Valley. Expect big, bold reds with robust tannins and acidity to stand up to that burger. The 2016 Year VII is year 7 of Nocking Point’s flagship red blend. It is a Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah blend that’s powerful and muscular, yet still fruit-forward. The 2017 Amell-bec Malbec is a favorite of drinkers, earning high marks on Vivino for its juicy dark fruit, cigar box aromatics, and smooth finish. The 2017 Turnaround Red is a Mourvedre that’s slightly lighter in body, offering more red fruit aromatics than the other two wines, alongside firm tannins and acidity.
The collection is available online at NockingPointWines.com.