Clos du Bois Marlstone 2008: Review

Clos du Bois

Geyserville, California, USA

Closdubois.com

Alexander Valley

Blend: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot

$40.00

Appearance: deep purple body with a purple rim

Aroma: juicy dark berries with a hint of spice

Flavors: blackberry, black raspberry, black currant, mocho coffee, light dusty brown spice like,

Mouthfeel: smooth, silky, sexy, tannins and acidity are under control, blackberry and dusty spice linger on the palate

To the Point: Not super complex here but, the interplay with the flavors and mouthfeel are just terrific. I only bought two bottles but, I am going to pick up a couple more. 

Looking at that cork in the picture below I was concerned but, everything was okay the wine was not corked.  

Talismon Sparkling Wine Brut: Review

Traditional Method

L. Mawby

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

Leelanau Peninsula

Lmawby.com

11% abv

Bottle #0090 of 4093

$37.00

Blend: Vignoles, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Chardonny

Appearance: pale golden straw with a nice head and a whirl wind of bubbles

Aroma: Fresh apple, green apple, white bread toast, citrus meat, a little honey appears as the wine warms,  

Flavors and Mouthfeel: full of flavors; tart green apple, lemon meat on the front with lemon rind on the back, mineral water, white pepper, solid carbonation, super crisp, very dry finish, long lingering citrus and spice on the palate, medium – I might even go medium-full  body for its bitter, tart, spice, and complex flavor profile.

To the Point: I can get bored drinking some bubbly but, this is very nice.  Before I buy another grocery store sparkling wine I would make the time to get this shipped to me.       

Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon 2009: Review

Napa Valley

Sequoia Grove Vineyards

Rutherford, California, USA

Sequoiagrove.com

14.2% abv

$39.99

On sale $29.99

Appearance: very dark body, blackberry in color with a ruby edge

Aroma: very pleasing elegant nose, juicy dark berry bowl with sweet cedar, hint of smoke and delicate earth

Flavors: plum, black currant, red currant, bing cherry, touch of blackberry; trace of cedar, hint of cocoa powder on the back and aftertaste, mild roast coffee

Mouthfeel: silky smooth, thick berries, variety of berry flavors, tannins and acidity under control, that hint of cocoa powder seems to build by the finish of the first glass.  I’ll have to have a second glass just for the sake of research.

To the Point: a very fine Cabernet Sauvignon; I will be buying more at the sale price and it is worthy of the regular 40 dollar price.  

Bowers Harbor 2010 Cabernet Franc: Review

Bowers Harbor Vineyards

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Bowersharbor.com

13% abv

Erica Vineyards

Old Mission Peninsula

Appearance: fairly clear for a red; shiny ruby; probably a light Franc just looking at it

Aroma: very light, light earthy berries

Flavors: light, fruity, fairly thin

Mouthfeel: fairly clean for a red, mild body

My Strength Rating: 3 – mild; I don’t know if I have had a lighter tasting Cab Franc than this one

To the Point: a fairly weak Franc; I was hoping for better; I would pass on this one unless you want a light red

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

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.