J Trees Chardonnay ~ (its location is a surprise, read on!)It was a normal Tuesday afternoon at Art of the Table. Reps were stopping by and showing us "the latest and greatest" of their wine and beer portfolios and we were overly picky as usual.
A Chardonnay came out with an orange label, nondescript but with a certain charm. The wine poured a beautiful golden color with structure and elegance...the rep said nothing.
The nose showed beautiful floral and honey tones with very structured yet subtle oak and a tropical fruit aroma that just begged to be dug in to. Still, the rep said nothing...The flavor was tremendous with a serious weight that wasn't oily, but carried the oak well and held on to that wonderful tropical fruit of now defined pineapple, banana and starfruit. Then the rep said "It's from Michigan." What!? True story, and guess what, it's from the Ann Arbor area. From Blissfield, MI and yes, it is a Chardonnay
I would drink for any occasion.
$16.50
Left Foot Charley Luthier ~ Traverse City
This is 50% Chardonnay and 50% Seyval Blanc. It is aged in French oak and layers the wine in rich depth and creating an almost "tone" like resonance on the palate. Winemaker Brian Ulbrich must have known 100% Chardonnay would have been just a little too much. Instead, by balancing the wine with an acidic and citrus focused grape like Seyval Blanc, he was able to create a symphonic like experience in his oak barrels. The bottling is much like a second act...where the motions find themselves, and your palate is the finale. The oak is intentionally present with citrus acidity and determined body peeking through. The music plays on, we also had to choose this wine because Amy plays the cello, Brandon plays the guitar (banjo, mandolin, lapsteel) and we are from Michigan.
$19.50
Two Lads Rose ~ Old Mission Peninsula
This is such a wonderfully fun Michigan wine. Made from 100% Cabernet Franc, it carries a strangely enjoyable green pepper spice that you might think to be offensive in other wines but really...it's kind of cool with this guy! With a nice chill, this wine really releases its watermelon, strawberry and herbal tones that compliment the pepperyness. When I first tasted this wine with winemaker Chris Baldyga I told him it reminded me of a Tavel Rose. He was honored, and said if he was going for one style, that would have been it. Obviously the soil and tradition are different, but essentially...this is a very quality rose worth drinking
year round.
$20
