Peninsula Cellars 2007 Cabernet Merlot: Review

Peninsula Cellars

Old Mission Peninsula

The Hog’s Back Vineyard

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Peninsulacellars.com

$30.00 a bottle

13% abv

67% Cabernet Franc and 33% Merlot

Appearance: garnet body with a ruby edge

Aroma: deep rich dark berries.  Later as the wine opens there is a floral note that develops. 

Flavors: dark berries unlimited, black currant, black berry, throw in a little black plum with a good oaky backbone and this is one tasty wine. The earthy style evolves with each sip I take.  It started off soft and now has a good rich soil character. 

Mouthfeel: It says on the bottle “supple” and this sounds good to me.  Nice earthiness and dark berries linger on the aftertaste and coat the palate with each sip. 

To the Point: this is my kind of wine; rich dark berry profile with a good earthy style and the right touch of oak.  This would be great to pair with a fine cigar.  In a matter of fact I am going to finish the bottle off with a Kristroff Maduro Cigar. 

2009 Predator: Review

Old Vine Zinfandel

Predator Wines

St. Helena, California, USA

Lodi Appellation

15% abv

Appearance: deep crimson body with a bright crimson edge

Aroma: wow, different, barbeque, smoked wood, earthy

Flavors: very different, hickory wood, smoked pork, saucy,

Mouthfeel: relatively smooth, it does have a lingering smoky wood and bbq maple sauce note.

My Strength Rating: 6

To the Point: not for everyone, if you didn’t know about this wine ahead of time you might hate it, by knowing about it ahead of time will help you to understand it when you drink it.

Me personally, I don’t care for smoked beers and well I am not a fan of bbq smoked wines.  This wine was easy to give up on.  It is interesting but, is it worth trying?  If you can buy it by the glass and you want something different – sure.    

M. Lawrence Detroit Sparkling Wine: Review

L. Mawby

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

Lmawby.com

Demi Sec

Batch #9

12% abv

$15.00 a bottle

A blend of Riesling, Traminette, Vidal and Muscat

Appearance: sparkling straw

Aroma: apple, hint of green apple,

Flavors: Honeysuckle, pear, peach, apricot, with a tart apple note on the finish.

To the Point: I thought it was okay; my wife liked it; worthy to try. 

Demi Sec means ‘half dry’.  It is sweeter than Sec but, dryer than Doux.

Here are the terms for dryness and sweetness in a wine or sparkling wine.

Brut Nature: 0–3: Extra Brut: 0–6: Brut: 0–12: Extra Dry, Extra Sec, Extra seco: 12–17: Dry, Sec, Seco: 17–32: Demi-Sec, Semi-seco: 32–50: Doux, Sweet, Dulce: 50+

The numbers represent the residual sugar per liter (measured in grams).

Felino 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon: Review

Vina Cobos

Blend of 88% Cab., 8% Syrah, 4% Petit Verdot

Eight months in French and American oak

Vinacobos.com

Paulhobbsimports.com

$32.00 restaurant price

Here is what they say on the importers web site.

“A deep ruby hue accompanies an earthy nose, rich with aromas of fine-grained leather and licorice. The palate is generous and complex, with intrepid notes of black currant and boysenberry weaved together with graphite and sweet tobacco. Ripe, plush tannins combine with subtle minerality creating an ideal balance and a lengthy finish.”

I ordered this wine with my dinner and then brought the bottle home to finish it off with a fine cigar.  I did not do a review on it but, the licorice was noticeable and there seemed to be a brown spice (cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg), some herbal and mineral qualities with dark berries.

I found it to be an interesting wine to drink.  I’ll have to find it at a store and do a review on it one day.  I would not have guessed it to be a Cabernet Sauvignon. 

CEV Gamay Noir 2008: Review

Colio Estate Vineyards

Harrow, Ontario, Canada

Lake Erie North Shore

Coliowinery.com

12.1% abv

$14.00 a bottle Canadian

100% Gamay Noir

Here are the tasting notes as stated on the bottle: “Scents of dark cherry, cedar spice and strawberry pie foretell the dark cherry, cranberry and pomegranate finish.”

Appearance: ruby body with an amber-ruby edge and a crystal rim. 

Aroma: I like the cedar spice, cherry and currant nose.  I also get a little earthy tone here as well.

Flavors: Wow, on my first few sips (after swirling the glass) the cedar comes through.  It is like a cigar box cedar with each sip and sniff. And, I have smelled a few cigar boxes in my day.  Dark berries on the taste with some nice green peppercorn spice along with that cedar note and rich soil for the earthy tone. 

Mouthfeel: It started off feeling a little thin (on the first few sips after opening the bottle) and when it opened up (a few swirls of the glass) it filled out the palate.  There is a blackberry bite that greets the palate.  The cedar, spice and dark berries linger and cling to the palate.  I can feel it coating my teeth and gums.  Dry finish, tannins semi-smooth, acidity under control. 

My Strength Rating: 7 – truly coats the palate.

To the Point: You can’t go wrong with this $14.00 bottle.  Nice medium-full feel without being overwhelming.   

The wine held up just fine when I paired it with some 9 year old white cheddar and then a whole grain cracker with horseradish cheese. 

This wine should go well with a fine cigar.  Visit CigarPostings for the cigar pairing with this wine. 

I just noticed that I did a review of this wine back in January of this year.  Click here to read that review. 

Clos de los Siete: Review

Clos de los Siete Winery

Mendoza, Argentina

By Michel Rolland

14.6% abv

$35.00 at A Matter of Taste Restaurant

Blend: 56% Malbec, 21% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot

I had a glass and a half at the restaurant and brought the rest home to sit back to do a review and then smoke a fine stogie with it. 

Appearance: deep dark garnet, this is pretty close to black with a purple edge.

Aroma: very dense dark currant note, smoky, it smells like the dark chocolate with berries in it, earthy – mineral soil like

Flavors: heavy soil earthy tone, dark berry concentrate, 90+% dark chocolate that covers the palate, bold and intense.

Mouthfeel: thick and very dry on the palate, tart, earthy, the dry finish reminds me of 95% dark chocolate, leathery texture, lingering aftertaste

You can feel this wine just clinging to your teeth and gums. 

My Strength Rating: 8.5 – this full bodied blend is hearty.  It deserves a big steak.  I think I’ll make plans for that one day.  

Chronic Cellars Sofa King Bueno 2009: Review

15% abv

Paso Robles, California, USA

Blend: 25% Syrah, 20% Petite Sirah, 18% Mourvedre, 16% Zinfandel, 15% Grenache, 5% Tempranillo, 1% Tannat

$22.99 The Fine Wine Source in Livonia, Michigan

Appearance: deep purple

Aroma: rich dark berries, sweet spice, delicate earth

Flavors: mixed dark berries, the cinnamon slaps you silly, a touch of vanilla, 60% dark chocolate style,

Mouthfeel: thick, jammy on the tongue, long thick layers of dark berries linger on the palate,

My Strength Rating: 6.5 – the long lingering notes raises the point value. 

To the Point: If you want to know what a cinnamon note is like in wine then, get this bottle and have a drink.  Very interesting and tasty wine. 

Visit CigarPostings for the cigar pairing

Vin du Lac of Chelan: Review

2007 Cabernet Franc

Columbia Valley

Chelan Wine Company, LLC

Chelan, Washington

Vindulac.com

14.5% abv

Blend Merlot 18%, Franc 82%

Washington Wine Quality Alliance seal is on the back of the bottle. 

Appearance: deep garnet, almost black

Aroma: rich dark berries, rich soil earthy tone and there is an alcohol note here fresh out of the bottle.  The alcohol back bone on the aroma settles down as the wine opens up.  A smoky note appears as well.

Flavors: heavy dark berries, mineral soil earthy tone, 55% dark chocolate like quality, herbal-spice notes,

Mouthfeel: medium-full body.  Nice thick feel on the palate, coats the checks and gums, not quite jammy but getting there. 

My Strength Rating: 6/6.5

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. 

Arcturos 2008 Cabernet Franc: Review

Black Star Farms

Old Mission Peninsula

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

Blackstarfarms.com

12% abv

$29.50 a bottle

When I was in Traverse City this summer I bought one bottle of this wine and took it back to the hotel to see if I really liked it.  The wine seemed tasty when I sampled it, I really like Cabernet Franc on top of that, but sampling is different than sitting back with a full glass of wine. 

Well, I was back at the Black Star store, located in the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, buying the few bottles they had left of this vintage.  Yes, I really liked this one.

Appearance: garnet body with some ruby highlights. This looks like it is going to be a medium-full bodied Franc.

Aroma: blackberry, soil earthiness, little smoky.  Overall, a nice little nose. 

Flavors: tasty blackberry, spice, mineral soil, smoky with a hint of oak on the finish (toasted oak). 

Mouthfeel: thick, close to the jammy side, tannins and acidity while present were under control, lingering dark berries that just coat the old teeth and gums. 

My Strength Rating: 7.5 – the lingering notes and the ‘almost jammy’ style kicks it up a notch. 

To the Point: This is my type of Cab Franc.  Nice earthy tones, blackberry without being bitter, spice without being too peppery.  If you want a good quality Franc find this in a store near you and give it a try.  This is a very worthy wine to try.  Don’t forget – Black Star Farms is out of it – the wine that is.   

Bry’s Cabernet Franc 2008: Review

Bry’s Estate Vineyard & Winery

Old Mission Peninsula

Estate Grown

Traverse City, Michigan, USA
brysestate.com

13.8% abv

$30.00 a bottle

Aged 10 to 13 months in French Oak

On the bottle, “This northern Michigan red will surprise you with its upfront fruitiness, intense color and everlasting flavors on the palate.”

This winery is planted on the Old Mission Peninsula and you can take in a nice little view of the bay. 

Inside the tasting room you get your first sample free and then it is $5.00 and you get to sample a few more wines AND keep the wine glass. 

Appearance: as I was pouring the first glass you can see the bright and brilliant ruby color as it was splashing and swirling around the bottom of the wine glass. 

Aroma: a mix of red and dark berries with a touch of spice.  The nose was fairly faint overall.  I was expecting a little more.

Flavors: on the first few sips it comes across like a grape concentrate.  So, I swirled the glass a few times and then let it sit for a few moments while I set up for doing this review.  Then a few more swirls and the next sip showed a little improvement.

The flavors remind me of: red cherries, pomegranate, black cherry, red and black currants, and touch of spice box.  I keep waiting for some oak but, it think the tart cherry note may be hiding it from the taste buds. 

Mouthfeel: tart twang on the tongue, lingering tasty berries and cherries.

My Strength Rating: 6 – the tart style makes the score.

To the Point: a decent Cab Franc.  Nothing to write home about.  Too much on the tart cherry note for me.  I like my Franc’s to be stronger in the dark berry with a solid earthy style, and firm spice to add some character.   

2896 Langley 2007: Review

Bowers Harbor Vineyards

Old Mission Peninsula

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Estate grown grapes

Meritage: 55% Cabernet Franc, 43% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon
bowersharbor.com

13.5% abv

$45.00 a bottle

We spent a couple of hours at this winery because we bought two flights of wine, one flight of whites and the second reds.  We also got a cheese spread and whitefish pate.  We then copped a squat on the porch and enjoyed a beautiful day. 

When sampling flights of wine it is a good idea to write some notes to which ones you liked and why.  Then, you can make up your mind on which one or ones you want to buy. 

I really liked this one in the flight sampling so; I sure hope it is what I remember it to be. 

I do know this going into this review – I personally like a Meritage that has the Cabernet Franc as the highest percentage grape.

Appearance: deep garnet with a nice purple hue

Aroma: rich berry and cherry, touch of spice, slightly earthy and a bit smoky.  As the wine open the spice livens up a little.  Overall, the Langley has a very pleasing bouquet.  I would not call it bold – I would call this sophisticated. 

Flavors: Oh yes, this is one tasty treat.  The flavors really follow the nose.  Mulberries, currants, cherries, touch of spice that is a little reminiscent of brown spices.  There is a swirl of mineral soil and the right touch of oak.

Mouthfeel: I called the aroma sophisticated then; I just have to call the mouthfeel … sophisticated as well.   While the texture is smooth there is a little alcohol warm on the finish.  Thinking of the finish the aftertaste is not overpowering.  There is a big lingering dark berry aftertaste.  The tannins good to me but, the acidity seems a tad high.  I think this wine should have some good aging potential. 

My Strength Rating: 6.5

To the Point: Is this worth the $45.oo price tag?  To me, YES.  This is a nice sophisticated Meritage.  A very pleasing bouquet and plenty of flavors.  I will buy more of this bottle for aging.   

(I won’t be buying the 2007.  I just checked their web site and it looks to be sold out and they have the 2008 on the shelf.)

I think my dinner plans for tomorrow will be grilled lamb paired with the second half of this bottle.  Tonight I am going to kick back and just enjoy my next glass with a Kristoff Maduro Cigar.  I also have a chunk of dark chocolate pecan bark from Kilwins and this is tasty with the wine and cigar. 

M Lawrence SEX Sparkling Wine

L. Mawby

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

12% abv

$15.00

Brut Rose

1019 of 2542 Bottles

Batch #81

A sexy blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Cuve Closed Method

lmawby.com

When I was in Traverse City I stopped by a bar called Phil’s on the Front – Restaurant & Chocolate Bar.  Chocolate and alcohol – I’m there.  I ordered a glass of M Lawrence SEX and a triple chocolate cake.  I figured I was going to M. Mawby’s the next day I might as well try this sparkling wine ahead of time.  It was a perfect match.  If you make it to TC stop by Phil’s. 

Appearance: Soft pink rose’ (double bubblegum color) with some slowly rising bubbles.

Aroma: strawberry soda fizz

Flavors and Mouthfeel: dry on delivery, mid-palate, and very dry on the finish.  The fizz seems moderate.  The mouthfeel is the main profile of this bubbly.  A soft blend of strawberry and raspberry.  There is an undertone of sweetness but, you may have to look for it for the dry fizzy profile demands your attention. 

To the Point: This Brut Rose’ is dry and the touch of red fruit is tasty.  Get a piece of dark chocolate and enjoy. 

I do not like Rose’ wines but, for some reason I find Rose’ Sparkling Wines fun to drink. 

If you like sweet bubbly go with the M. Lawrance Detroit.  If you like it really dry go with this Brut Rose – SEX.