Black Star Farms Winery Visit (Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan)

Black Star Farms is a very pretty winery and farm. They also have a B&B, a creamery, a distillery, a farm and stables. They are located on the Leelanau Peninsula near Suttons Bay and also have a tasting room on the Old Mission Peninsula now. They have been making wines for over 10 years now. i have had their wines going back to the 1998 vintage from when they used to have a tasting room down South in Paw Paw, Michigan (since closed). The quality has improved quite a bit from those early wines which I rated in the high 70 point range.

As with almost all of the wineries we visited, the whites outshined the reds although one Cab Franc was very good. There was a nominal fee for the tasting and they let you keep the glass. Unfortunately, I did not do the reserve tasting for an additional $5. Their A Capella Ice Wine (which I have had before) is one of the best in the area (also one of the priciest at $92.50 per 375ml). Here are my notes on the wines I tried:

• 2007 Black Star Farms Pinot Grigio Isidor's Choice 84 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  Tasted at the winery. I believe the grapes for this wine come from the Capella vineyard. A dry medium bodied wine with aromas of swiss cheese on the nose. Some spice and melon notes. 84 points.

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• 2008 Black Star Farms Riesling Arcturos Dry 88 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  Tasted at the winery. This was similar to a sauvignon blanc in profile. Tropical and lime notes. Dry and crisp. Should age for a few years. 88-89 points.

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• 2008 Black Star Farms Pinot Gris Arcturos Late Harvest 86 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  Tasted at the winery. The grapes come from the Montague Estate vineyard. 2.7 brix. I liked the late harvest Riesling much better. Clear white color. A young wine. Notes of pear and some minerals. A little sourness showed up on the finish. 86 points.

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• 2008 Black Star Farms Riesling Arcturos Late Harvest 91 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  Tasted at the winery. The grapes for this wine come from the Capella and Montague Estate vineyards. My favorite wine at this estate although I did not try any of their reserve wines. Rich body. Sweeter than the Pinot Gris at 7 brix but not cloying. Auslese style and almost dessert in character. Very tropical with pineapple and lychee notes. Excellent value at $16.50 and one that I bought. 90-91 points.

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• 2007 Black Star Farms Pinot Noir Arcturos 82 Points

  USA, Michigan, Leelanau Peninsula

  Tasted at the winery. I believe this is a blend of Leelanau and Old Mission fruit. Light ruby color. This is a lighter bodied wine. Smokey red fruit with some cocoa and spicy oak. A little green. Uninspiring. 82-83 points.

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• 2007 Black Star Farms Cabernet Franc Arcturos 88 Points

  USA, Michigan, Leelanau Peninsula

  Tasted at the winery. The grapes come from the Black Star Farms estate vineyard, Montague estate vineyard and Nelson Road vineyard located on bothe the Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas. Purple red color. Medium to full bodied. Notes of red currant and blackberry with some spice and pepper on the finish. This also had a nice herbal quality and good complexity. A solid 87-88 points.

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VM