Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA
12% abv
$29.50 a bottle
The true blend is kept a secret from what I was told at the Black Star store in Traverse City. They select grapes from some of their ‘micro-lots’ to create this tasty blend that has the Merlot grape as the main focus.
Appearance: deep garnet with a ruby edge.
Aroma: mixed dark berries with a nice touch of spice.
Flavors: to me blackberry jumps out front with a nice acidic touch, then throw in a dash of spice, a little smoky feel, and a bit of dark chocolate.
Mouthfeel: good balance with the tannins and acidity, nice smooth leathery feel, lingering dark berries on the palate.
My Strength Rating: 5.5 – medium and just on the edge of medium-full.
To the Point: this is a very tasty blend that is well worth the price. Looking at their web site they are out of the 08 and they have the 09 in stock. I am looking forward to picking up the 09 this winter when I make my next visit to the Traverse City area.
