Some Northern Michigan Wine Notes

My wife and I spent a long weekend in the Traverse City area and had the opportunity to visiit a few local wineries. Here are my notes on the wines we tried.

• NV Left Foot Charley Pinot Blanc Sparkling Island View Vineyard 87 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  (4/16/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. 100% Pinot Blanc from the 2019 vintage. 1% RS. This is the first vintage they made this wine. It had tiny bubbles and a lower head. Moderately sweet but not a Demi sec. Tropical notes. 87 poiints

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• NV Peninsula Cellars I'll Drink To That 87 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  (4/19/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. This is a blend of 45% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Blanc and 10% Pinot Noir from the 2019 vintage. Instead of a secondary fermentation, this wine is simply carbonated. Moderate bead. A dry sparkler with notes of melons and apples. 11.7% alcohol. 87-88 points.

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• 2019 Shady Lane Riesling Sparkling 88 Points

  USA, Michigan, Leelanau Peninsula

  (4/19/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. 100% Estate Riesling made from blocks M, N and I. A blend of clones 49, 198 and 239. Made in a Cuvee' Close method. Notes of pears and green apples. Moderate bead. This had a touch of sweetness but still a dry style. 88 points.

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• NV Good Harbor Vineyards Grüner Veltliner Brut 86 Points

  USA, Michigan, Leelanau Peninsula

  (4/19/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. 100% Gruner Veltlliner from the Norah's Vineyard on the Leelanau Penisula. Made in the Charmet method. 11.2% alcohol. Notes of melon and apples. A little bitterness on the finish. Nice but the least favorite of the 3 sparklers I tried. 86 points.

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• NV Good Harbor Vineyards Blanc de Noirs 89 Points

  USA, Michigan, Leelanau Peninsula

  (4/19/2021)

  Tatsed at the winery. 100% Pinot Noir from the Benjamin's Vineyard on the Leelanau Peninsula. Made in the Charmet method. 12% alcohol. My favorite of the 3 sparklers.. Round with cherry and floral notes. Dry and crisp finish. 89 points.

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• NV Good Harbor Vineyards Blanc de Blanc 88 Points

  USA, Michigan, Leelanau Peninsula

  (4/19/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. 100% Chardonnay from the David's Vineyard on the Leelanau Peninsula. Made in the Charmet method. 12% alcohol. Extra Dry style and noticeably sweeter than the other 2 sparklers but still on the dry side. Notes of slate and lemons. Solid bead. 88 points.

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• NV Chateau Chantal Tonight 82 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  (4/19/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. A blend of Riesling and Chardonnay. Close to a demi sec in style. Notes of white fruit and apples. 82 points.

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• NV Chateau Chantal Celebrate 84 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  (4/19/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. A blend of Riesling, Chardonnay and Gamay. Drier than the Tonight but not a Brut. Peach notes. 84 points.

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• 2018 Left Foot Charley Pinot Blanc Island View Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  (4/16/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. 100% Pinot Blanc from the IV vineyard planted in 1995 and harvested on October 6th at 20.3 brix. Purchased at the winery and was able to meet the vineyard owner/manager, Werner Kuehnis. Previously had the 2016 vintage (the 2017 vintage got 92 points from Decanter). A dry wine with a pale straw color. Very clean with nice biting acidity. Notes of Bosc pear and stones. 89 points.

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• 2018 Left Foot Charley Pinot Blanc 89 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  (4/16/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. 100% Pinot Blanc sourced from 4 vineyards on the OMP. A dry wine. Spicy with notes of anise and green apple.firm acidity. 89 points.

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• 2018 Peninsula Cellars Dry Riesling 86 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  (4/19/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. Moderate acidity. Rather mild and soft for my tastes. Notes of green apples and minerals on the finish. 86 points.

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• 2018 Left Foot Charley Riesling Seventh Hill Farm 91 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  (4/16/2021)

  Purchased at the winery. I've previously had the 2008 and 2010 vintages of this wine. This wine is not always made in the same style and the sweetness depends on the growing conditions in the particular vintage. Seventh Hill is at the top of the OMP. Light petrol aromas on the nose. Made in a dry (trocken) style this year. Pale yellow color. Notes of pears and slate. Crisp finish. 91 points.

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• 2018 Good Harbor Vineyards Dry Riesling 83 Points

  USA, Michigan, Leelanau Peninsula

  (4/19/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. A funky nose with diesel nuances. White fruit notes but a little flat on the finish. 83 points.

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• 2018 Peninsula Cellars Semidry Riesling 85 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  (4/19/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. About the sweetness of a Spatlese. Tropical notes but lower on acidity like the dry Riesling. 85 points.

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• 2018 Chateau Chantal Pinot Gris Proprietor's Reserve 86 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  (4/19/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. No formal notes. 86 points.

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• 2017 Peninsula Cellars Gewürztraminer Manigold Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  (4/19/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. Previously had the 2006 and 2016 vintages of this wine and seek it out when I can. Pale white color. Very aromatic with typical spicy notes together. White fruit and floral nuances on the finish. This was a dry wine (drier than previous vintages) and was probably the best white of the weekend. 91-92 points.

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• 2015 Left Foot Charley Grüner Veltliner 89 Points

  USA, Michigan, Leelanau Peninsula

  (4/16/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. This was a bonus pour since the staff had an open bottle of this older vintage. 2015 was a cold year which resulted in high acidity and this showed. This is the first and only time LFC made this wine. Notes of lemons, pink grapefruit and limestone. Some saltiness on the finish. 89 points.

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• 2017 Mari Vineyards Pinot Grigio Bestiary Ramato Bella Vista Vineyard 87 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  (4/20/2021)

  Tasted at the Cook's House Restauarant. This is the first vintage of this wine. An orange wine in style and color. 85% Pinot Grigio, 8% Malvasia Bianca, 5% Sauvignon Blanc, 2% Tocai Friulano. The Pinot Grigio was given 3.5 weeks of skin contact and the other grapes 2.5 weeks. This had some grip to it. No real oxidative notes which show up in orange wines occasionally. Notes of ripe pears, spices and apricots. 87 points.

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• 2019 Left Foot Charley Blaufränkisch Rosé 86 Points

  USA, Michigan

  (4/16/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. Very light pink color from only 2 hours of skin contact. Silky texture with some licorice on the nose. Fresh with cherry notes and lower acidity. Soft finish. 86 points.

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• 2017 Shady Lane Pinot Noir Rosé 90 Points

  USA, Michigan, Leelanau Peninsula

  (4/19/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. 100% Pinot Noir harvested in October. 12 hours of skin contact. 20% aged in used French oak and the rest in stainless steel. I really enjoyed this wine and it is a great deal at $14. Notes of orange blossoms, strawberries, wet stones and a touch of white pepper. Dry with a crisp finish. 89-90 points.

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• 2019 Good Harbor Vineyards Pinot Noir Rosé 88 Points

  USA, Michigan, Leelanau Peninsula

  (4/19/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. Very floral nose. Medium pink/salmon color. Light body with crisp strawberry notes. 88 points

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• 2019 Left Foot Charley Blaufränkisch Old Mission Peninsula 88 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  (4/16/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. Garnet color. This had a nice smoky character with coffee and berry notes. Moderate tannins. 88 points.

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• 2017 Peninsula Cellars Pinot Noir Reserve 91 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  (4/19/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. This wine was the surprise of the tasting. 100% Pinot Noir from the Krupa Vineyard. Rather dark red for only having 12 days on it's skins. Aged 19 months in barrel. Rich and round with a solid tannic structure. Notes of burnt cherries, black pepper and blackberries. 91 points.

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• 2017 Shady Lane Pinot Noir 90 Points

  USA, Michigan, Leelanau Peninsula

  (4/19/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. 100% Pinot Noir harvested on October 28th. Destemmed and cold soaked for 3 days. Aged 16 months in French Oak (40% new). This had a nice core of fruit which shown through (compared to the Reserve which was more earthy). Notes of ripe red berries and smoke. 90 points.

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• 2017 Shady Lane Pinot Noir Reserve 90 Points

  USA, Michigan, Leelanau Peninsula

  (4/19/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. This was given 20 months of aging in French oak. More earthy than the regular Pinot Noir. Reddish purple color. Solid tannins. Notes of leather and plums. 90 points.

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• 2018 Chateau Chantal Pinot Noir Proprietor's Reserve 86 Points

  USA, Michigan, Leelanau Peninsula

  (4/19/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. Medium red color. Flowery aroma. Solid core of fruit with cola, oak and cherry notes. 86 points.

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• 2017 Brys Estate Pinot Noir 90 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  (4/20/2021)

  Tasted at the Cook's House Restaurant. 100% Pinot Noir from the Old Mission Peninsula. This was a smooth and elegant Pinot Noir. Supple tannins. Notes of cranberry and cherries with some tea leaf on the finish. 90 points.

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• 2017 Peninsula Cellars Merlot Reserve 91 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  (4/19/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. Another surprisingly good red. Garnet color. A creamy wine with silky tannins. Notes of dark chocolate, plums and toffee. Long finish. 91 points.

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• 2017 Peninsula Cellars Cabernet Franc Merlot Reserve 87 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  (4/19/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. This was a nice wine but a little disappointing after tasting the Pinot Noir and Merlot. Some green notes mixed in with the red fruit. Soft tannins. 87 points.

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• 2018 Shady Lane Franc 'n' Franc 88 Points

  USA, Michigan, Leelanau Peninsula

  (4/20/2021)

  Tasted at the Cook's House Restaurant and paired with braised beef cheeks. A blend of Cabernet Franc, Blaufränkisch and Merlot. Crimson color. Round texture with leather, coffee and ripe plum notes. Moderate tannins. 88 points.

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• NV Chateau Chantal Cherry Cerise 84 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  (4/19/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. Made from cherries. 19% alcohol with obvious cherry notes. Somewhat cloying. 84 points.

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• NV Chateau Chantal entice 90 Points

  USA, Michigan

  (4/19/2021)

  A Riesling ice wine (from the Old Mission Peninsula) fortified with an estate made oak aged brandy. Rich and luscious without being cloying. Notes of pineapple and brandy soaked pears. 89-90 points.

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• NV Left Foot Charley Otterson 92 Points

  USA, Michigan

  (4/16/2021)

  Tasted at the winery. A deep pinkish red color. Otterson is the only apple with red flesh hence the color. This was a dry and tart cider with steely bing cherry notes. Excellent cider. 92 points.

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