Another Wyncroft Winery Visit

Otis and his wife visited us in Michigan over the 4th of July weekend and I set up an appointment with Jim Lester at Wyncroft/Marland. It was the first time Otis had been to Wyncroft and Jim spent 4 hours with us taking us through his vineyards, opening bottles and pouring barrel samples for us. As always I thought it was a fabulous visit. Jim is extremely generous with his time and wines. My notes on the wines we tasted are below (full disclosure: Jim is a consultant for my vineyard):

Marland is Jim's 2nd label made from purchasd fruit for retail distribution.

• 2016 Marland Pinot Grigio 89 Points

  USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore

  (7/5/2017)

  The grapes are sourced from the Ezperanza vineyard and are a blend of 4 clones. Harvested at 22.5 brix and 3.53ph. Not given any skin contact. Pale white yellow color. Solid acidity. Notes of peaches, apricot and white pepper. Crisp finish. 88-89 points.

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• 2016 Marland Chardonnay Non Affecté 87 Points

  USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore

  (7/5/2017)

  The grapes come from 3 vineyard sources (12 Corners, Avonlea and Gabrielow). The Avonlea would normally go into the Wyncroft Chard but their was not enough this vintage. Mostly Dijon clone 96. No oak treament. 13% alcohol. Notes of white stone fruit with biscuit and a leesy character. Fresh finish. 87 points.

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• 2016 Marland Pinot Noir 89 Points

  USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore

  (7/5/2017)

  Tasted at the winery. This was just bottled within the week. 100% Ezperanza vineyard. Aged in neutral oak. Frsh and lively with a little prickly feel to it from being recently sulfured before bottling. Sweet nose. Notes of cherries and cranberries. 89 points.

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• 2016 Marland Cabernet Franc 90 Points

  USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore

  (7/5/2017)

  2nd time I have had a barrel sample and it was just as good. The grapes are sourced from the Ezperanza and Gabrielow vineyards. Notes of raspberries with really solid fruit. Round finish. 90 points.

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• 2016 Marland Sauvignon, Merlot and Franc 89 Points

  USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore

  (7/5/2017)

  Barrel sample at the winery. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc. This was a round wine with notes of black cherry and red berries. with a little leather. The tannins were restrained on this wine. 89 points.

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• 2013 Wyncroft Riesling Avonlea Vineyard 87 Points

  USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore

  (7/6/2017)

  Tasted at the winery. 4th time I have had this wine. Made from 27 year old vines. Light yellow color. Dry styled. Some petrol on the nose. Notes of grapefruit and minerals. The acidity seemed a little lower in this bottle. Fuller bodied Riesling. 87 points.

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• 2014 Wyncroft Riesling Wren Song Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore

  (7/6/2017)

  Tasted at the winery. 2nd time I have had this from bottle (the last time was a year ago and the bottle was unlabelled). Medium yellow color. This is made in a late harvest or VT style. 25% of the fruit was affected by botrytis and was harvested at 22.8 brix. 12 year old vines. Fuller bodied and richer than his Avolea Rieslings. Notes of flint, honey and tropical fruits. 90 points.

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• 2008 Wyncroft Riesling "VT" Wren Song Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore

  (7/6/2017)

  Jim opened a bottle at the winery to try and gave me the rest of the bottle to take home to drink with some smoked fish appetizer before dinner. 3rd time I have had this wine. Harvested at over 25 brix. Golden color. Petrol nose. Jim described this as a dry eiswein. Notes of crushed apples, apricots and smoke. Drink now. 90-91 points.

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• 2012 Wyncroft Chardonnay Avonlea Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore

  (7/6/2017)

  Tasted a bottle at the winery. First time I have had this wine and it was impressive for a Chardonnay that went through partial malolactic fermentation (a style I don't normally like). 2012 was a great vintage in SW Michigan. Medium to full bodied. Notes of pears, green apples, flint and smoke. Minerally finish. This could be the best Chard that Jim has made and I have had 11 of his last 14 vintages going back to 2000. 90+ points.

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• 2013 Wyncroft Chardonnay Avonlea Vineyard 87 Points

  USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore

  (7/6/2017)

  4th time I have had this wine but this was the first time from bottle (the other 3 were barrel samples). This went through a full malolactic fermentation as opposed tot he 2012 which was only partial. A California style Chard. Notes of vanilla, butterscotch and spices. A bigger Chard with a warm finish. Not my style. 87-88 points.

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• 2016 Wyncroft Pinot Noir Avonlea Vineyard

  USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore

  (7/6/2017)

  The 2nd barrel sample I've had. This was sulfured 3 weeks ago and still had a prickly of spritzy taste because of it. Medium dark red color. Floral aromas with roses. Notes of cranberries, and red fruit. on the elegant side. No score.

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• 2013 Wyncroft Pinot Noir Avonlea Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore

  (7/6/2017)

  Tsted from bottle at the winery. 3rd time I have had this wine and the best showing yet. This is evolving into a very pretty wine. Ruby garnet color. Good tannins structure. Medium bodied. Rather burgundian in style. Notes of cherries, black raspberry and wet earth. Gone are the cola and tart notes that I tasted when this was in barrel and just bottled. 90-91 points.

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• 2015 Wyncroft Pinot Noir La Esperanza 90 Points

  USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore, Fennville

  (7/6/2017)

  Barrel sample. A more feminine style Pinot and lighter than the 2014 vintage of this wine. Very fresh and lively. Notes of black tea, cranberry and bright red fruit. Much more developed than when this was in barrel over a year ago. 90 points.

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• 2013 Wyncroft Shou Avonlea Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore

  (7/6/2017)

  5th barrel sample of this wine I have had. 2013 was an average year weather wise in SW michigan. This is an earlier drinking Shou. Bright and fruitier than most of the other vintage of this wine that I have had. Solid acidity. Notes of berries and currants. Lingering finish. 88-89 points.

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• 2013 Wyncroft Riesling Icewine Wren Song Vineyard 96 Points

  USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore

  (7/6/2017)

  3rd time I have had this. Jim opened a bottle during our winery visit. 3 tons of grapes were harvested at 40.7 brix on January 2, 2014 at 7 degrees above zero. Awesome wine. Aromas of sesame, match stick and tropical fruits. Rich and deep without any cloying notes. Light golden color. Solid acidity and drinking as well as ever. Notes of honey, apricot and mango. Intense finish. 96 points.

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