Shady Lane 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling: Review

Shady Lane Cellars

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

Shadylanecellars.com

$13.00 a bottle

11.7% abv

Here is their description on the bottle, “This slightly sweet Riesling is rich and full of ripe peach, green apple and honeysuckle and has a crisp, clean finish.”

Appearance: light yellow diamond

Aroma: a mix of sweet fruit, tart apple, and citrus meat.

Flavors and Mouthfeel: I really like their description for this wine.  The only thing I would change is: it has a clean delivery; crispness on the mid and finish that goes along with the citrus meat feel on the palate; there is a lemon-lime tartness that lingers on the tongue (reminds me of a sweet-tart candy); all this swirls around that sweet honeysuckle note.  The bottle has it labeled as ‘medium sweet,’ and once again I’ll have to concur. The sweetness is on the delivery and mid palate when the dry notes show up for the late mid and finish.  It seems to be a very refreshing mouthfeel that it leaves on the palate. 

To the Point: a very tasty Semi-dry Riesling.  For only $13.00 – I think this is a bargain.

Shady Lane Coop de Blanc 2009

Shady Lane Cellars

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

Leelanau Peninsula
shadylanecellars.com

Grape: Vignoles – (VIN-yoles)

10.9% abv

$10.00 a bottle

This will be a first for me~! I have never had The Vignoles grape.  What I found out about this grape is that it is good for making ice wine since it has a strong sweet style while having a good acidic quality. 

The Vignoles grape is a hybrid, a cross between “8-Seibel 6905 x Pinot de Corton” Source: http://viticulture.hort.iastate.edu/cultivars/Vignoles.pdf

Here is another cool web site that has something to say about this grape (a very good read).  I’ll be adding their address to my blog.  I need to spend some time on their site.  This site will give you a good history of this grape.

http://forgottengrapes.com/vignoles.html

On to the review

Appearance: crystal clear with an ever so light tint of yellow

Aroma: wow, nice and fruity, tropical/summer fruits, pineapple, fuji apple, twist of citrus, and I swear I got a little hint of petro (petroleum is a note used for some Riesling White Wines.  Not used much anymore.)

Flavors: I sure wish it was 98 degrees outside and I was sweeting like a pig for this wine would be perfect for a scorching hot summer day.  Pineapple juice, touch of ruby red grapefruit, tropical fruit, crisp fuji apple, good dose of Granny Smith Apple (tart), there are some good summer fruits here as well.  We could play the game – ‘what do you taste’ with this wine.



This is the ol' chicken coop!
Shady Lane's Wine Tasting Building



Mouthfeel: crisp, good acidic structure here for a white wine.  It really helps to bring out those tropical flavors.  So, there is a tart a somewhat bitter quality especially on the finish.  Big time sweet on the front and tart on the finish and lingering notes. 

My Strength Rating: 6.5 – a solid medium-full style for a white wine.  Big time sweetness with a solid tart style on the end.    

To the Point: This is a must buy.  Buy two at least.  Sweet whites (unless it’s ice wine) are not on my list of must have.  But, while there is a big sweet style here the tart with a little bitter note (lemon peel) on the finish is just a great combination.  And, all the flavors make it fantastic.   If the ‘sweet/tart’ candy had a pineapple flavor it would taste like this white wine by Shady Lane.  This is one complex white wine. 

I will be writing more about this one in the future. 

Shady Lane 2008 Cabernet Franc: Review

Shady Lane Cellars

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

Leelanau Peninsula

Shadylanecellars.com

12.9% abv

$18.00 a bottle

I thought this winery was a nice little find.  The century old stone building, which is the tasting room, was a chicken coop back in the days.  Going in the door from the driveway you will see a few bottles on display – at first I thought “oh-o, nothing much going on here.  Let’s say it was very unpretentious.  On the second level is the tasting bar/room with some racks of their wine.  Make sure to go to this level and sample a few different wines.  They do have a patio area for sitting and sipping on those nice spring, summer, and fall days. 

I was impressed with both their whites and reds that I tried.  I am not a blush wine lover – okay I am a hater.  I have not had too many that I like.  They had a blush that was pretty good. 

Let’s get to the review

Appearance: deep ruby or garnet body with rich ruby highlights. 

Aroma: rich dark berry mix, light spice, touch of floral

Flavors: black currant, raspberry bowl – red, black, yellow, pomegranate, light green spice feel, light soil earthy tone, dry cocoa powder

Mouthfeel: nice smooth delivery of mixed berries, the tannins and acidity seem undercontrol, nice acidic finish for a dry feel, moderately coats the palate

My Strength Rating: 6 – nice flavors, nice mouthfeel, very pleasing to drink

To the Point: only $18.00 for this Cab Franc – you can’t beat it.  I am a Cab Franc slappy and I like this baby.  It’s not big and bold and may not have that wow factor but, so what – it has a very pleasing style in taste and mouthfeel.  I’ll be buying a six pack next time.