Michigan Winery Tour December 2011 - all Old Mission Peninsula wineries
Chateau Grand Traverse
2010 Pinot noir vin gris rose
Light salmon. Light nose of oak and fruit. Strawberry midpalate with nice acidity. Medium finish. Good rose.
2010 dry riesling
Straw color. Expressive fruity nose of peach and mango notes. Quite dry on the midpalate with tropical fruit notes and refreshing acidity. Nice pine sap medium to long finish. Nice dry riesling.
2010 whole cluster riesling
Light yellow. Light nose of lemons. Nice structure and acidity on the midpalate with citrus fruits. Nice fruit finish. Semidry wine.
2010 semidry riesling
Light yellow nose of oranges and lime. Good fruity midpalate of oranges and peaches with nice acidity. Medium finish of lemonade.
2007 botrytis riesling
Clear yellow. Gorgeous nose of mangos, peaches, honey and cedar. Rich midpalate of ripe mangos , honey and bracing acidity. Long luxurious finish of honeyed fruit. Bought 1 bottle. This was an excellent wine with definite wow factor. 500 ml was $25.
Black Star Farms – Old Mission peninsula
2010
Arcturos Dry Riesling
Light straw. Light nose of pineapple. Nice midpalate with minerals, peach, pineapple and refreshing acidity. Medium acidic fruit finish.
2008 Isidor’s choice pinot noir
Light ruby. Cherry notes with a bit of oak on the nose. Midpalate had nice fruit but a bit oaky. Short finish.
2009 pinot noir
Light ruby. Nice cherry nose. Midpalate a bit rough with green tannins but nice acidity. Short finish. Not bad for the 2009 vintage, which had cool wet weather for virtually the entire summer.
2010 Arcturos riesling
Light straw. Nice floral nose with ripe pineapple notes. Luscious midpalate of peaches and mangos. Medium to long finish of juicy acidity and peaches. Bought one bottle ($15.50). Medium dry.
Red house rose
Bight pink. Typical rose nose of strawberries and hints of red raspberries. Mid palate had light acidity, strawberries and smooth structure. Medium to long finish of sweet fruit. Nice rose.
Chateau Chantal
Proprietor’s reserve 2010 pinot gris
Light straw. Nice nose of pear and almonds. Nice midpalate of green apples. Medium finish of juicy acidic pears. Decent pinot gris.
Proprieter’s Reserve Pontes 2008 pinot noir
Light ruby. Oaky cherry nose. Clean midpalate with cherries and tingly acidity with a hint of green tannins. Medium finish of juicy cherries. OK pinot.
Naughty red NV (unoaked fresh red wine)
Light ruby. Fruity nose with cherries and red raspberries. Earthy cherries on the midpalate. Mdium fruity finish. Not bad for a $11.50 wine.
2 Lads Winery
2010 pinot grigio
Light yellow. Nice pear-apple nose. Midpalate has expressive fruit and good acidity: A nicely balanced wine.l Medium finish. It struck me as a good food wine. I bought one bottle ($18)
2010 pinot noir
Finally a 2010 pinot noir – a good growing season unlike the terrible 2009 season.
Clear ruby. Smoky oak and cherries on the nose (10 months on oak, mostly old). Nice midpalaate with light tart cherries and juicy acidity. Nicely balanced. Medium to long finish fruity finish. Good sipper. Needs some aging and will probably be good with food. Bought one bottle ($27).
2009 Cab Franc/Merlot blend
Ruby red. Smoky nose with light red fruit. Midpalate is bright and tight with tart red raspberries. Light finish that is quite acidic. Not bad for a 2009, but too light and acidic for my tastes.