Left Foot Charley Winery Visit (Traverse City, Michigan)

This is an exciting new winery which has been making wine for 2- vintages and just opened their tasting room this year. The tasting room is located in an urban setting on the grounds of the old Michigan State Insane Asylum. They renovated the building which housed the laundry facilities into their winery and tasting room. Tasting are free and they have several simple appetizer plates available. They are also a wine bar at night serving any of their wines by the glass for $5 or bottle for $25. This winery is all that is good in the region. The emphasis here is all about German and Alsatian varietals. It was started by Bryan Ulbrich who has been making wine in Michigan for 13 years. Formerly he worked at Peninsula Cellars were he won national and international acclaim. He has established solid relationships with growers and works closely with them to make sure that quality starts in the vineyard. He does not own any of his own vineyards at present but prominently features his growers at every turn. He made 3 very fine Rieslings that I tried. However, he makes a single vineyard Pinot Blanc from the island View Vineyard which has garnered rave reviews on many wine boards and in the press. I was really looking forward to trying it but they sold out about a week before our visit and I could not find any in local wine stores (although I am told that Trattoria Stella has it on their wine list). The prices for these wines were excellent. A must stop for anyone in the area. here are my notes:

• 2008 Left Foot Charley Cabernet Franc Rosé 83 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  Tasted at the winery. 191 cases made. 12% alcohol. This is a blend of Cabernet Franc 93%, Merlot 3%, Pinot Noir 3% and Dornfelder 1% sourced from the Longcore Vineyard - (25%) and the Torch View Vineyard (75%). Medium to full bodied for a pink wine. Notes of rose petal and raspberries. 83 points.

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• 2008 Left Foot Charley Dry Riesling Brengman Bros. Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, Michigan, Leelanau Peninsula

  Tasted at the winery. One of several outstanding wines made at the estate. This is the first vintage of this wine and the newest addition to Bryan Ulbrich's vineyard sites from which he which he sources his grapes. Only 113 cases made. Dry with a steely character. Piercing acidity with white stone fruit. I purchased this for $16. Great value. 90 points.

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• 2008 Left Foot Charley Pinot Grigio 87 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  Tasted at the winery. The grapes for this wine come from the Tale Feathers Vineyard (74%) on the OMP and the Torch View Vineyard (26%) in Antrim County. Therefore it is not an OMP wine. 600 cases made. 12% alcohol. Notes of apple and crisp citrus. 87 points.

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• 2008 Left Foot Charley Murmur 85 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  Tasted at the winery. 514 cases made. A blend of Chardonnay Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer and Traminette. Moderately sweet. Less crisp than I would like. A fruity wine with notes of pear. 85 points.

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• 2008 Left Foot Charley Riesling MD 85 Points

  USA, Michigan

  Tasted at the winery. 630 cases made. Only 10% alcohol. Made in a German style but without the fine balance that is so important in an off dry wine. The grapes are sourced from the Reehorst Vineyard (60%) in the OMP and the Torchview Vineyard (40%) in Antrim County. Clear white color. Pretty nose. Green apple notes with some paper nuances. Medium sweetness. Needs acdity. 85-86 points.

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• 2008 Left Foot Charley Riesling Seventh Hill Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  Tasted at the winery. This single vineyard wine is made in a spatlese style with comparable sweetness. 11% alcohol. 311 cases made. The winemaker considers this his best Riesling site. The vineyard was planted in 1997 and this is the 3rd vintage LFC has made. A white clear color. This had a fine sweet/sour component with fine acid. Notes of lychee and minerals. I purchased this for $19.50. An age worthy wine. 88-90 points.

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• 2008 Left Foot Charley Riesling 90 Points

  USA, Michigan, Leelanau Peninsula

  Tasted at the winery. Only 110 cases made. This was the sweetest of the off dry Rieslings at the winery. This is a late harvest wine made from the oldest vines in the Brengman Bros. Vineyard. Straw color. Herbal and stoney. Almost an Auslese level of sweetness. Well balanced and a long finish. 89-90 points.

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• 2008 Left Foot Charley Red Drive 80 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  Tasted at the winery. Not what they are known for. A blend of Cab Franc and regent. Light body. Ruby color. 80 points.

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