Left Foot charley

Opened this 2012 Left Foot Charley Pinot Blanc from the Mission Peninsula of Michigan tonight with hot & sour soup and fried rice/w chicken. This was a VERY excellent pinot blanc with lots of spicey pear and a bit of citrus but the real palate-catcher was the acidity which was very prickley to the point of looking for bubbles. The acid/fruit balance was so perfect that I can see this wine aging for a decade. Light straw in color and from the Island View Vineyard with 13.5% abv, the only drawback was the cost of $23. Other than a Ch. St. Jean Pinot Blanc from maybe 1998 bought only from the winery in 2000, this is the finest North American Pinot Blanc I have experienced. RS of 9 gpl and harvested @ 23 brix on Oct. 6 2012.

This has been one of my favorite wines now for several years. Drunk my last bottle of 2010 a couple months ago which was drinking very nice. Maybe one or two 2011’s remaining and a case of 2012’s. I have tasted the 2013 from tank several times and have pre-ordered 2 cases. Anyone expecting to buy some might consider calling the winery sooner than later. Production is down in 2013 with a total of 140 cases made.
Cheers, Gary

I do like the wines of Left Food Charley, but I haven't had his PB. I'll have to remedy that, as I do love the grape. Navarro does a very nice rendition of PB, as does Chehalem from Oregon.

Mark Lipton

Jim, I don't think the prices are out of line with the quality here. Have you tried their 'Murmur'? That sells for mid-teens and is a blend of several grapes made in a lighter, fresher style that is well worth it's pricetag.

This has been one of my favorite wines now for several years. Drunk my last bottle of 2010 a couple months ago which was drinking very nice. Maybe one or two 2011’s remaining and a case of 2012’s. I have tasted the 2013 from tank several times and have pre-ordered 2 cases. Anyone expecting to buy some might consider calling the winery sooner than later. Production is down in 2013 with a total of 140 cases made.
Cheers, Gary

If only he would ship to Kentucky Gary.

Jim, I don't think the prices are out of line with the quality here. Have you tried their 'Murmur'? That sells for mid-teens and is a blend of several grapes made in a lighter, fresher style that is well worth it's pricetag.

I've had several bottles of that too Mark. It could easily be my go to summer wine....if I could get it down here in #2 land.

This has been one of my favorite wines now for several years. Drunk my last bottle of 2010 a couple months ago which was drinking very nice. Maybe one or two 2011’s remaining and a case of 2012’s. I have tasted the 2013 from tank several times and have pre-ordered 2 cases. Anyone expecting to buy some might consider calling the winery sooner than later. Production is down in 2013 with a total of 140 cases made.
Cheers, Gary

If only he would ship to Kentucky Gary.

Bob, It sounds like you need a trip to Michigan. LFC are currently out of almost everything but the 'new release' party is April 30.
Most of the better TC area vineyards are small and will probably never make wide spread distribution. I guess that's one of the advantages of living here.
Cheers, Gary

I've mentioned trekking up to the Traverse City wine country over the years, mostly to visit Left Foot Charley at the old asylum grounds. The outstanding quality of Bryan Ulbrich's wines hasn't changed at all but the prices have gone up and up. I rarely buy now.

This has been one of my favorite wines now for several years. Drunk my last bottle of 2010 a couple months ago which was drinking very nice. Maybe one or two 2011’s remaining and a case of 2012’s. I have tasted the 2013 from tank several times and have pre-ordered 2 cases. Anyone expecting to buy some might consider calling the winery sooner than later. Production is down in 2013 with a total of 140 cases made.
Cheers, Gary

If only he would ship to Kentucky Gary.

Bob, It sounds like you need a trip to Michigan. LFC are currently out of almost everything but the 'new release' party is April 30.
Most of the better TC area vineyards are small and will probably never make wide spread distribution. I guess that's one of the advantages of living here.
Cheers, Gary

I would love to do that Gary, but you do realize that when I got to ARB, I would be almost exactly halfway to TC? I have actually been there once and visited both peninsulas I have a picture of myself standing on the deck at Chateau Grand Traverse overlooking some of the Riesling vineyard. I'll have to give some thought to your suggestion though.

Pinot Blancs often have a generic taste, but not this one. Flowery aromatics, intense fruit and a meaty mouth feel combine to make this a truly distinctive wine. My pours became successively smaller and smaller, hoping to make the bottle last, for at $23 I'd bought just one. I know that some think this price isn't at all out of line for such quality, but in my neck of the woods quality can be had for considerably less. Nonetheless, next time in Michigan I'll forget my sharp eyed side and go for several if I can find them.

Great archive visit!