Peninsula Cellars Winery Visit (Old Mission Peninsula, Michigan)

This was our last winery stop on the day we visited the Old Mission Peninsula. The tasting room is located in an old 1 room schoolhouse. We got there about 10 minutes before closing and unfortunately they started closing down and cut our tasting short before we could try everything I wanted (especially the Ice Wine which was the only wine they charged to taste). In addition, a few of their single vineyard wines were sold out (particularly the Pinot Blanc Island View Vineyard). Nonetheless, this was an impressive estate with fine quality wines across the board.

This family winery was started in 1991 and concentrates of fine vineyard sites. It is owned by the Kroupa family. They take a minimalist view toward winemaking. As with all the wineries in this region the concentration is almost exclusively on vinifera and the stars are the white wines. The former winemaker, Bryan Ulbrich, left after the 2006 vintage. Prior to leaving, this estate garnered some excellent press (in Michigan, nationally and abroad). Still too early to tell what affect the new winmaking team will have but the 2007 Pinot Blanc Kroupa Vineyard was very good.

Here are my notes:

• 2007 Peninsula Cellars Pinot Blanc Dry Kroupa Vineyard 88 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  Tasted at the winery. This single vineyard Pinot Blanc was very good. It was a dry wine with a good fruity backbone. Notes of raw honey and green apple. Medium bodied. 87-88 points.

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• 2006 Peninsula Cellars Gewürztraminer 86 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  Tasted at the winery. Picked from several vineyard sites. We drank this right before the Manigold Vineyard Gewurz to calibrate our palate. Nice wine. Round texture with some floral aromas. Notes of canning spices and anise. 86 points.

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• 2006 Peninsula Cellars Gewürztraminer Manigold Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  Tasted at the winery. About 400 cases were made. One of the most impressive wines I tasted on this trip and a bottle I purchased. This single vineyard wines is not made in every vintage. This was the last vintage made by the former winemaker, Bryan Ulbrich, who left after 2006 to start Left Foot Charley. Initially this had some mild brett aromas which quickly blew off and was replaced by fresh cut flowers and hay. Heavier and more body than the regular Gewurztraminer. Alsatian in style. Showing fine extraction. It had a wonderful sweet/sour component. Notes of grapefruit, lime and minerals. Great mouth feel. 14.2% alcohol but this had such great balance that it did not show the least bit of heat or lack of balance. This could very well be the best dry Gewurztraminer made in the United States. It was that good. 91 points.

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• 2007 Peninsula Cellars Dry Riesling 87 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  Tasted at the winery. 12.5% alcohol. This had a soft texture. Less floral than some of the other Peninsula whites that I had. White fruit notes with a good balance. 87 points

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• 2006 Peninsula Cellars Select Riesling 89 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  Tasted at the winery. This limited production wine was outstanding. Moderately sweet. A cross between a kabinett and spatlese style. Deftly balanced with notes of peach pit, stone and apple. Medium to full bodied. Round finish. 89-90 points.

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• 2005 Peninsula Cellars Cabernet Franc Reserve 88 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  Tasted at the winery. The only red we tried here. 100% Cabernet Franc. Old world style. No green notes. Some carmel nuances on the nose. Well rounded wine with moderate tannins. Notes of wet earth, plum and chocolate. A little pricey at $30. 88 points.

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VM