Tasting Note: Chateau Aeronautique Dry Riesling

Another mid-Michigan winery that’s in the process of rapidly expanding with new vines and event space.

Chateau Aeronautique Dry Riesling (2013) Michigan – $18

Color: pale yellow/brass.

Aroma: a spicy, oily nose; very reminiscent of a good Alsace Riesling.

Taste: dry, not very fruity.  Crisp up front, then mellows out towards the back of the mouth. Predominately golden apples, plus stone fruit and mineral notes.

This was overwhelmed by the tomatoes and basil that accompanied my chicken; I think I’d much rather have this bottle with some simple charcuterie.

 

 

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Tasting Note: Lone Oak Merlot

A very nice place in the south-center of Michigan near the town of Jackson.  They do prix fixe music dinners on Saturday evenings with some top-name acts.  All of their fruit is estate-grown, and they supply grapes to some of the other new wineries in this part of the state.  I had this wine about a week ago with steak, braised leeks, and risotto.

Lone Oak Merlot (2012) Michigan – $22

Color: purple, quite dark.

Aroma: black plums, nutmeg, oak, pepper, licorice,

Taste: plums up front, then some cherry notes on the mid-palate, and pepper on the finish.  The finish is quite long.   Great tannins – drink it now if you like your reds muscular, cellar for another 3-5 years and it will soften up.

Recommended!

Tasting Note: Cherry Creek “Lynn Alexander”

One of the wineries I visited last year out towards Jackson.  This is a 50/50 blend of Riesling and Gewurztraminer from a single vineyard property.

Cherry Creek “Lynn Alexander” Old Woodstock #2 (NV) Michigan

Color: light gold/brass.

Aroma: fruity and spicy – the Gewurztraminer dominates.

Taste: a pleasant tingle of gooseberry and kiwi, bone dry, with racy acidity.  There are also notes of lime zest and minerality; the Riesling is foremost.

Pleasant all-around, but you have to like your wines on the tart side to appreciate this.

Tasting Note: 3 North Vines Albariño

Albariño is a grape that originates in the northwest corner of Spain; it makes some incredible wines, and I’m dumbfounded that it’s not more common in the US.  The grape has the potential to fit a sweet spot in body, acidity, and fruit somewhere in between Chardonny, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio.  I think it’s tremendous with big, hearty fish, almost any style of chicken, and plenty of vegetarian dishes.

3 North Vines Albariño (2015) American – $24

Color: medium gold.

Aroma: floral, with some sharp citrus undertones.

Taste: mellow, with lots of pear and dried pear, dried flowers, and just a hint of grapefruit.

This wine is suitable for cocktail hour or for a meal.  It’s nice, but I’m hoping their next few vintages will provide some extra oomph.

 

Tasting Note: Aurora Blaufrankisch

One of the Austrian grapes that I’m fond of – I buy some of this every time I head up to the Traverse City area.

Aurora Blaufrankisch (2014) Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan – $22

Color: medium red.

Aroma: lots of red fruit, plus some blueberry and bramble notes.

Taste: not too big, with tannins and some oak up front, then red currants, cranberry, and pepper.  More oak and tannins on the finish.

I think this needs another year or two before it’s really ready.

 

Tasting Note: Laurentide Sauvignon Blanc

Laurentide is one of the wineries I visited on my most recent trip to the Traverse City area.  It’s a relatively new winery, founded by native Ann Arborites.

Laurentide Sauvignon Blanc (2015) Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan – $22

Color: pale yellow.

Aroma: tangerine & lime, plus hints of minerality and asian pear.

Taste: this is a mellow, lower-acidity Sauvignon, with lots of tangerine and pear, especially on the midpalate. The finish is a little rough; I wouldn’t drink this too warm. Suitable for cocktail hour or food.

 

Tasting Note: BluStone Pinot Grigio

BluStone has a wonderful tasting room at the top of a hill near Traverse City, with a tremendous vista over the vines and surrounding countryside.  It’s worth a trip there just for the view, let alone the wines.  Some of these grapes were brought in from vineyards outside the Leelanau Peninsula AVA, hence the plain Michigan designation.

BluStone Pinot Grigio (2015) Michigan – $12

Color: pale gold, with a hint of green.

Aroma: lemon curd and custard, with slight grassy notes.

Taste: smooth, with a big body up front of citrus and stone fruit. There’s a hint of sugar in there. Good acidity, but not tart of astringent like cheap Italian Pinot Grigio.

This is a great deal.  You don’t need to chill this to death, the way you do some many other Pinot Grigios in the same price range.  Recommended.