Drink.  Learn.  Laugh.  Repeat.

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 329,495 strong:

Register Today!
Carla

Carla

3653 days ago

Carla reviewed this wine:

This great red arrived at my house in September as one of the Wine of the Month wines. Such a great full bodied red. A true pleasure. Here are the Wine Club's notes: Small batched vinified with manual punchdown of the cap followed by 20 months seasoning in barrel. The wine is deep red, rich and rounded, showing dark berry fruit, liquorice, and the savoury forest-floor complexity typical of this variety. Drinkable now or hold until 2018

Burning Kiln Winery Merlot 2013

Lake Erie, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada
3659 days ago

Carla scored this wine: 94/100

It is rare that a wine hits all the right notes on your palate in the most delightful way without becoming heady, and the M-1 Merlot does it wonderfully. Burning Kiln's kiln-drying technique draws out the sweetness of the merlot grape and maintains the full range of tones from the time it touches your tongue through to the finish. The label reads "The History: M-1 or TM-1 was the highest grade of tobacco at auction and referred to the maturity and colour of the 'tips,' the best leaves of the top of the plant. Our story is deeply rooted in the cultural significance of tobacco and grapes and the agriculture of Norfolk County. Our wine-making team, led by Andrej Lipinski, honours that heritage by using grapes dried in tobacco kilns to create our award-winning "appressimento" style wines." "The Wine: This deep, dark, plum-coloured wine has juicy flavours of raspberries, blueberries & plums with a hint of dark chocolate..." I am lucky. Burning Kiln is one of my husband's clients, so I am one of the first to get to taste their M-1. It was spectacular with our home-made charcuterie platter of dried sausages, Quebec cheeses, green & black olives, fresh salsa and some interesting flavoured dark chocolates. I anticipate many more raving reviews and awards for Burning Kiln with the M-1.

Talon Red

Cooper's Hawk Vineyards Talon Red 2012

Lake Erie North Shore, Canada
3794 days ago

Carla scored this wine: 92/100

An exquisite, rich, red wine with a deep, dark colour. The flavours blended smoothly as it breathed. The winemaker's notes: "The blend will grip your senses with complexity and depth as no single varietal can possibly capture. Talon represents the art of capturing the perfect blend. Notes of berries, coffee and black licorice on the nose with a wonderful taste of blackberry, nutmeg and cassis on the palate. Varietal: Cab Franc, Merlot, Baco Noir, Cab Sauv and Marechal Foch."

Kacaba Vineyards Meritage 2008

V.Q.A., Niagara, Ontario, Canada
3972 days ago

Carla scored this wine: 88/100

While I love the movie "Sideways" I remain a loyal fan of the full reds blended in this Cab-Merlot Meritage. It has a compelling deep ruby colour and the dark berries hold solid on the palate. It makes a great parallel match for lamb as there is an underlying savouriness to this wine that supports the spices and gamey flavours of the meat.

4101 days ago

Carla scored this wine: 93/100

The colour of this wine truly reflects its taste. It is a clear, bright yellow with just a touch of green in it and I would describe its flavour as light and crisp with a hint of green herbs. It was a very beautiful and interesting wine with a full, smooth mouth feel. Nicely bouncing on the herbaceous and acidic tones of my palate, it had a dry crispness that came with a sour twist of a bit of rhubarb that was grounded with a gentle green tea and a bit of fresh grass. It finished with a very soft, yet almost salty, taste on my lips. I kept licking and licking them. While I tasted this Sauvignon Blanc on a clean palate, it should pair well with something creamy, like a pasta with alfredo sauce or something a little sweet like pork tenderloin with caramalized onions. Check out the photos for this review on my food blog: http://cookingwithsin.com/2013/07/14/kings-court-estate-winery-wine-tasting/

Carla

Food BloggerVisit Carla's Website

Memorable Wine

Napa Valley's V. Sattui Madeira. Had the funnest wine tasting ever there.

more

First Wine

My first taste of wine was in university when I fell in love with the shape of the Black Tower Riesling bottle. The wine was nice too.

more

Unusual Wine Experience

For years I was a white wine person, then about 10 years ago someone offered me a glass of red - no idea what kind. Not wanting to be rude I accepted. One sip and I was converted.

more

Current Fav Wine

King's Court Estate Lemberger - it's a one-of a-kind.

more
Winner World's Best Drink Writer
WFour-Time Winner James Beard Foundation
Five-Time Winner Association of Food Journalists
Six-Time Winner Bert Greene Award
Best Wine Literature Book Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Online Writer of the Year Louis Roederer International Wine Writing Award