Arcturos 2011 Cabernet Franc: Review

Black Star Farms

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

50% Grand Traverse County

50% Leelanau County

Vineyards: Montague Estate, Capella and Isidors Choice Vineyards

$25.00 a bottle

Blackstarfarms.com

This review looks like Déjà vu all over again.  Yes, I just did a review on the Arcturos Cabernet Franc but, that was the 2010.     

Appearance: rich ruby body with lighter ruby edges

Aroma: blackberry, black plum, light spice,

Right after opening:

Flavors: fruit forward; with black currant, pomegranate, and raspberry notes, a hint of mineral soil and light spice on the finish.  The only thing that seems to change after the bottle has been opened for a couple hours is the ‘hint of mineral soil’ is just a tad firmer – just a tad. 

Mouthfeel:  a little thin on the front, dark berries swirl on the tongue, slight oaky spice on the finish, moderate acidity, it does not have that watery edge like the 2010.

My Strength Rating: 5/5.5- medium body

                

To the Point: While this seems close to the 2010 – I think I like this one just a tad better.  I have two more bottles left and I’ll check out the next one in a year or two.  This is just okay.   

Black Star Arcturos 2010 Merlot: Review

Black Star Fams

Blackstarfarms.com

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

$25.00 a bottle

Appearance: about as transparent as the Obama Administration.  Okay, it’s not deep or dense – it’s a nice crimson color.

Aroma: Earth, deep berries, light touch of oak spice, hint of smoke

Flavors: dark berries, earthy, a little toasted oak, as the wine opens a little spicebox hit the palate, touch of floral/herbal

Mouthfeel: a smooth yet thick earthy feel, the dark berries and earthy tones coat the palate, nice acidity and tannins are under control, medium-full body

To the Point: a tough one to review; I like it; the berry notes were not discernible to me; It is not elegant – it’s more BBQ style; so sever it up with a brisket sandwich,  

Peninsula Cellars 2002 Cabernet Merlot: Review

Peninsula Cellars

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Blend: Cab Franc 75%; Merlot 25%

12% abv

PeninsulaCellars.com

When I visited this winery they had a Library sale on this 2002 Cab Merlot blend.  I did get to sample the wine and it seemed good enough to buy one bottle and bring it home to do a review.  When I selected the bottle, at the winery, the worker said ‘you may want to sample it first’ which had me concerned but it was good to go.  He also said, ‘drink this bottle soon.’   Maybe the average wine drinker would not be in the market for this wine?

If you visit the Traverse City area this is a good place to stop by for a sample or two.  It is located on the Old Mission Peninsula in an old school house – how cool is that.

I wish that I have reviewed this wine before to know how it has progressed.

Appearance: still looking good; garnet body with a crystal rim; no brown edges – maybe a little amber edge; older wines will develop a brown edge

Aroma: good dark berries, smoke and earthy tones; as the wine opens a touch of cedar spice starts to play with the other notes; overall very nice; just from the nose I can say this wine will be nice with a fine cigar.

Flavors: nice blackberry, black currant, touch of cranberry and tart cherry, good soil earthy tone and nice oak and oak spice on the finish. 

Mouthfeel: a solid medium-full bodied wine; nice light tart berry notes linger on the palate, nice smooth flannel texture; nice, nice, and nice if you like red wine. 

To the Point: damn, I only bought one bottle, I like this wine, nice firm body, tasty notes, ready to drink soon as you open the bottle.  It seems like this wine has another year or two left in it … maybe more … maybe not.  This is a very good example of what Michigan Red Wines can offer. 

I heard from a couple of locals, ‘the Michigan reds are not that good … stay with the whites.’  I would like to share this red with them … they would change their mind.  I buy these wines on my dime.  Read my reviews, I will tell you if I like it or not. 

I have to say thank you to the workers for I stopped by at the time of closing and they were still very helpful.  They could have had the attitude of hurry up and get out of here but, they were still ready to help.  They were professional and pleasant even at the closing bell.  They did not make me write on the chalkboard 1,000 times that ‘I was late to class.’  

I just read my review on the 2007 Cab Merlot and this one is just as good as that one.    

Peninsula Cellars 2010 Cabernet Franc: Review

Peninsula Cellars 2010 Cabernet Franc

Peninsula Cellars

Old Mission Peninsula

Hog’s Back Vineyard & Ligon Vineyard

PeninsulaCellars.com

$25.00

13% abv

Appearance: a pretty crimson body with a ruby edge

Aroma just after opening: reminds me walking into a wine room at a winery; nice aromatic berry bowl and a touch of spice

Aroma after allowed to breathe: blackberry, black plum, black currant with a nice touch of spice.  The dark berry notes seemed to be a little more discernible after the wine opened up.

Flavors: boysenberry, raspberry, currant, hint of earth, as the wine opens a slight tart cranberry with a touch of toasted oak, light spice probably coming from the oak, flavors come together well

Mouthfeel: mixed berries on the delivery and mid; light spice on mid and finish; smooth – they use the word elegant on the bottle to describe the mouthfeel;

My Strength Rating: 6 – just limping into the medium-full range

To the Point: I like this Franc; I only bought one bottle – I’ll have to get some more.  

Black Star Vintners Select 2010: Review

Black Star Farms

Suttons Day, Michigan, USA

Blackstarfarms.com

Merlot based blend; made from ‘micro-lots’

58% Cabernet Franc, 28% Merlot, 7% Syrah, 3% Regent

12% abv

$25.00 a bottle

Read the 08 posting

Appearance: rich ruby body

Aroma: fruity all the way; berry bowl mixture with reds leading the way.

Flavors: this is just not fruit forward – it is just fruit; red berries, reminding me of raspberry, pomegranate, sweet cherry, red currant; soft dark berries, reminding me of boysenberry, black currant, and blue berry.  This is just a smorgasbord of berries. 

Mouthfeel: lacks some depth or structure to me; slight watery edge; mild-medium

Strength Rating: 4/3.5 – mild-medium body

To the Point: okay it is complex in its berry profile but, it is simple overall – it is just … berries.  A little too berry juice like.  With that much Cab Franc I would like a little better earthy style and blackberry.  To me it lacks acidity and tannic structure.  I also like it – I think it should be a good red on a summer day.  A good red to have with fish, chicken, and other light fare that has a red sauce base.  This might be good with my Salmon smothered in Tomato Bacon Dressing. 

I bought three bottles so I’ll check on the next bottle - next year!  Hopefully some aging might help here but, I doubt it … for it lacks acidity and tannins.  I would say, enjoy this wine over the next two years and just enjoy the berries. 

Would I buy this again?  No. Not with the 25 dollar price – 15 bucks sure. 

I really liked their 08 Vintners Select.  It was 30 bucks a bottle and I said, buy … buy … and buy.  Oh the beauty of handmade natural products. 

Black Star Arcturos 2010 Cabernet Franc: Review

Black Star Farms

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

Montague Estate and Isidors Choice Vineyards

Blackstarfarms.com

$25.00

12% abv

I really enjoyed the 2008 so, when I was in Traverse City I had the opportunity to pick up some bottles of the 2010 and 2011 Cab Franc. 

Appearance: crimson with shiny ruby highlights

Aroma: blackberry, black plum, light-moderate wood,

Right after opening:

Flavors: delicate floral on the tip of the tongue followed by light earth, firm blackberry, a pomegranate raspberry note, a hint of floral late on the palate, light-moderate oak 

Mouthfeel: thin in spots, earthy dark berries swirl on the tongue, watery edge on the mid and back, slight oaky spice on the finish, moderate acidity,

My Strength Rating: 5/4.5 - medium body

To the Point: not even close to the 08.  The mouthfeel on the 08 was thick and jammy, how I like my Cab Franc to be.  This is on the thin side.