Bowers Harbor 2896 Langley 2010: Review

Bowers Harbor Vineyards

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Bowersharbor.com

Meritage Blend of: 60% Cabernet Franc, 39% Merlot, 1% Cab Sauvignon

$60.00 a bottle

Appearance: Rich ruby red; kind of light looking for a big Meritage – 60 bucks qualifies as ‘big’.

Aroma: nice berries, some red mixed with some dark berries, very light spice

Flavors: little blackberry, black plum, black currant mixed with a little tart cranberry and cherry; light earth,

Mouthfeel: light for a Meritage; thin in spots, lacks depth and character;

My Strength Rating: 5 – medium at best

To the Point: for $60 … pass; there are plenty of 20 to 25 dollar wines out there that are much better.  I did like the 2007 2896 Langley and the 45 bucks then had me on the edge but, I said yes it was worth it.  The 07 was far better than this one.  

JT Red Wine 2011: Review

Vineyards at Bowers Harbor
Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Old Mission Peninsula

Bowersharbor.com

Blend: 50% Merlot; 50% Cabernet Franc; both from Big Paw & Wind Whistle Vineyards

12% abv

$18.00

Appearance: very light translucent red.  Seems like the Michigan red wines that I have reviewed from the 2010 and 2011 vintages have all been very light in color.  I can go back to the 08 and 09 vintages on this blog and they have a deeper garnet body color. 

Aroma:  super faint, non-descript berries, and a touch of spice.

Flavors: thin berries, a little raspberry and a touch of cranberry,

Mouthfeel: thin, light body, not much on the aftertaste,

Let me spin it: a nice red to have with fish or a sandwich or even a fish sandwich.  Actually, this would work on a summer day.  I like big and bold reds so, in the summer I do not drink too many reds, this wine would do the job in the summer for its light body and thin style. 

To the Point: The 2011 JT Red is just too thin.  Personally, I would not buy this vintage again.  I am disappointed for I enjoyed the 08’s and 09’s from this winery so; I was looking forward to tasting their newer vintages.  You have to remember these are handmade and nature made.  With some bad summers in the last few years – and wow – think of 2012 summer – total crap from the bad spring.  This is sad, for Michigan was making some very good red wines. 

I am still stopping by Bowers when I make it into the Traverse City area.    

Their dog Brix greets my dogs

My hound Annie sings Brix a song.  My Corgi in the front seat
and my Mutt just behind Annie.

M. Lawrence Green Sparkling Wine: Review

Extra-sec

M. Lawrence SPW

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

Mlawrence.us

$15.00 a bottle

11% abv

Blend: Cayuga and Vidal wine grapes

Appearance: pale straw

Aroma: light touch of fruit and I mean light;

Flavors: this is a hard one here to breakdown; here is my best shot, green melon, pineapple and citrus meat,

Mouthfeel: nice semi-dry feel, nice fizzy feel, dry on the aftertaste with a light citrus

To the Point: nice, nothing special, I like his Sandpiper Sparkling Wine better. 

Old School Red: Review

Dry Red Table Wine / No Vintage

Peninsula Cellars

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

PeninsulaCellars.com

Old Mission Peninsula

12% abv

$14.99

Blend: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Lemberger and Baco Noir

Appearance: ruby in color

Aroma: very berry

Flavors: red fruits: currant, raspberry, and cherry with some light spice. 

Mouthfeel: light in body, simple in flavors, easy to drink, not much on the aftertaste,

To the Point: a nice wine to drink with a meal; how about a sandwich or even pot roast.  The flavors are simple enough and the body light enough to enjoy on a hot summer day.  

M Lawrence Wet Sparkling Wine: Review

M. Lawrence

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

Mlawrence.us

Pinot Gris and Riesling

SEC

11% abv

Batch 310

1542 of 2600 bottles

$17.00

Appearance: straw; pale lemon water

Aroma: very light nose; light lemon water; ‘wet’

Flavors: there is a lemon water theme going on here; lemon, fresh melon, biscuit, candy sugar, 

Mouthfeel: lemon citrus zest, crisp, sweet but, not overly sweet, does remind me of a Pinot Gris

To the Point: a nice bubbly, perfect for a hot summer day, pair this with white fish or shellfish.

Here are a few pictures from my visit back on the first week of March

Fizz Sparkling Wine by M. Lawrence: Review

Demi-sec

Batch #31

#2081 of 2640 bottles

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Cuve Close Method

M. Lawrence SPW

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

Mlawrence.us

Lmawby.com

11% abv

$14.49 Wine Barrel in Livonia, Michigan

Appearance: as light of a straw-yellow without being water; plenty of bubbles on the pour

Aroma: a light fresh chilled green apple, pear, and light biscuit; yes – a very light bouquet

Flavors: lively note of fresh sweet red apple on the front, slightly tart green apple on mid and finish, crisp clean pear, do they have a pear flavored cotton candy at the local fair? … if not this will do.   

Mouthfeel: it is a Demi-sec so it is on the sweet side without being overly sweet. Super fine fizzy bubbles help to tingle the tongue for a crisp feel. Slightly tart finish that lingers on the palate along with the dominate cotton candy sweetness.   

To the Point: a very nice demi-sec sparkling wine.  The nose is light and the flavors are lively.  Would make a nice dessert wine or maybe pair it with a fresh fruit salad.  I have to admit that I am not a fan of dry to sweet, extra-dry is ok, but I prefer brut to brut nature.  With that said, I do like this Fizz.   

Here are a couple of pictures from the winery when I was there in March