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A detailed description of the wines in the Clash along with my tasting notes and judges comments
Top
Five
| Longview Winter Ice 2007 (Leelanau Peninsula, MI) From the hybrid Cayuga, the grapes for this wine are hand-harvested on Dec 12, 2007
by winemaker Alan Eaker after they have frozen on the vine in his vineyards on Sutton Bay. Gently pressing extracts sugar-laden
juice (34 brix) while leaving behind ice-crystals. 10.5% abv / 15% rs
Longview Winery 8697 S. Good Harbor Trail Cedar, MI 49621 (231) 228 2880 info@longviewwinery.com My tasting notes : Pretty nose with a maple syrup edge and thick night-blooming
florals. Surprisingly light on the palate with nice acidity. More maple notes and a bergamot component. Slightly unbalanced
in the finish but very pleasing and persistent. Leaves a lingering charm in the mind. Consistent across both venues. Judges' notes : "Lovely nose" "Very long finish. Sweet, balanced
with acidity" "orange, pineapple lemon, nectarine, tangerine, melon, pear, honey butter, Wheat Thins, great
balance" "Complex, fresh, Triscuits" "Lively and crisp w/o being overdone" "Great,
but lacking in bouquet" | 
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Lads Reserve Cabernet Franc 2007 (Old Mission Peninsula, MI) Just released Oct 3, this is the first vintage of a reserve wine from one of the newest wineries (opened in 2008.)
Winemaker : Cornel Olivier Harvested Nov 2, 2007 and 13.9% abv. 90 cases produced.
2 Lads 16985 Smokey Hollow Road Traverse City, Michigan
49686 231.223.7722 info@2lwinery.com My notes Nice tight fruit. Plenty of structure and power.
Some evidence of the oak treatment, but held in check. Nice body. Very smooth finish with berries and Cointreau-like notes.
Really good. Judges' notes "Great ripeness" "VA" (Volatile Acidity) "Silken texture, deep black
cassis, concentrated" "chocolate cherry fruit, fresh, pretty, fun" "metallic""dark
fruit, well-balanced among fruit, acidity and tannin" "cassis" "earthy" | Kinkead Ridge Cabernet Franc 2007 (Ohio
River Valley, OH) Located in Ripley, Ohio, Kinkead Ridge has been the leader in the renaissance of the area which used to be the wine-producing
region in America. Their Revelation Red 2006 was a winner in the inaugural Ohio vs Michigan Wine Clash. This wine is 84% Cabernet
Franc (harvested Oct 1) and 16% Petit Verdot (harvested Oct 15). Winemaker : Ron Barrett 14.9%abv. 216 cases produced.
904 Hamburg Street Ripley OH 45167 (937)
392 607 My
tasting notes I've had this wine several
times since Labor Day release, all with consistent notes : Lots of dark and spicy fruits on the nose. Bold and bright with
licorice undertones, some green pepper and flannel. Finished with a big fruit rush. Not really my style, but solid in quality. Judges' notes "Gorgeous ripe fruit, wow!" "dark red violet, muted nose, spicy berry and sweet vanillin, youthful"
"horehound candy and black fruits, vibrant and balanced, great acid, balanced, gorgeous" "green pepper nose,
wet ash, pretty dark and creamy fruit" "spicy, pepper, balanced" "wood smoke, berries, broth" "touch
of foxy iodine on the nose, dark and sweet fruit, solid finish" "rhubarb, green pepper" "earthy and concentrated
smoke" "a bit sweet" |  |  | Gill's Pier Cabernet Franc
/ Merlot 2007 (Leelanau Peninsula, MI) From the estate vineyards planted in 2002, this is 49% Cabernet Franc and
51% Merlot. Best Dry Red in Michigan Wine Competition. Winemaker : Byran Ulbrich. 13.2%abv Gill's Pier 5620 N. Manitou Trail Northport, MI 49670
231.256.7003 info@gillspier.com My tasting notes Robust and complete. Solid. Nice fruit
and brambles. Good structure and cut. Really good. Consistent across both tasting. Judges' tasting notes "Artificially acidic" "opaque color, brooding nose, seed-berry fruit,
noticeable alcohol, but balanced" "chocolate-covered cherry, clean, bright, tart, juicy, fun, wish for one more
layer" "light fruit notes" "Ludens" cherries and blueberries, dark fruit with firm acidity
and tannin, long finish" "nice finish" "tobacco, full fruit, needs time" "odd licorice, nice
finish" | | Wyncroft
Avonlea Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007 (Lake Michigan Shore, MI)
Wyncroft wines have an almost cult-following among a range of wine collectors. These grapes
were harvested on October 7 from the Avonlea Vineyard on the shores of Lake Michigan, just above the Indiana border. Winemaker
: Jim Lester 70 cases produced.
Wyncroft
716B East Front Street Buchanan, MI 49107 269.409.1855 My tasting notes OH bottles : Interesting notes on the nose, some a little off to me - medicinal. Light body, but clean and precise.
Good elements on the palate, but hard to evaluate MI bottle
: Much clearer and bright on the nose - roses, cherry Pop Tart. Same light but pure structure. Way better and full of promise.
Judges' tasting notes "beautiful fruit and oak aromas, great fruit, well-balanced, perfect score" "sandalwood, silky w/
tannins underneath, needs age" "medicinal" "incense, delicate and sleek, pure cherry, elegant, poised"
"cedarbox and cigar aromas, nice but not enough fruit to cover" "volatile acidity, spice" "Bing cherry
and iodine, shorter finish" "bubble gummy, but clear and clean Pinot" |  |
|  Raven's Glenn White October 2008 (OH)
From the hybrid grape Chardonel (cross between Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc), this wine hails
from Tuscawaras county. 12% abv Raven's Glenn 56183 CR 143 West Lafayette, Ohio 43845 740.545.1000
erg@ravensglenn.com My tasting notes Nice floral nose with some musky thickness. A little residual sugar
which gives body, forals and nice body on the finish. A bit lacking in acid though the MI bottle showed more. Judges' tasting notes "Excellent balance" "too clean" "apples and pears, good viscosity,
well balanced, some alcohol heat" "minerality" "fresh ripe apple aroma, creamy texture, banana, vanilla,
fresh and lively" "grapefruit" "pale straw, muted nose of sweet apple fresh, sweet/tart peach" "bitter"
|  Black Star Farms Arcturos Dry Riesling 2007 (Old Mission Peninsula, MI)
Black Star Farms was a double winner in last year's clash with
their Arcturos Pinot Noir 2006 and Arcturos sur lie Chardonnay 2006. 12% abv 750 cases Oct 16 harvest Black Star Farms 10844 E. Revold Rd. Suttons Bay, MI 49682 231-944-1251 info@blackstarfarms.com My tasting notes Tart and malic on the nose. Very apple, not balanced. Pinched structure. Not for me at all.
Judges' tasting
notes "good acidity" "non-descript, over-cropped"
"clean, citrus, balanced" "clean pale yellow, plasticity on nose, green apple, pear, juicy, nice" "well-balanced,
crisp" "a bit foxy, but bright and clean, decent finish" |  South River Vineyard Karma 2007 (Grand River Valley, OH)
Located in a old church, South River
Vineyard produces an array of wines interestingly religious-themed names. 42% CF 39% Merlot 19% CS 12% abv South River Vineyard
6062 S. River Road Geneva, OH 44041
440-466-6676
srv@intermessage.com My tasting notes Oak elements really are pre-dominant here with sweet vanilla and mocha spiking the very nice dark berry fruits. Palate
follows nose. There is nice underlying structure and balance in the fruit, so hopefully the treatment gets absorbed. Not my
style, but this wine fared very well in my prelim tastings. Judges' tasting notes "clean
and bright, smooth, creamy, blackberry" "floral and raisins, sleek red fruits, balanced and elegant" "subtle,
nice nose with deep plum, decent mid-palate, long finish, nice balance" "all-around wine" "a bit dull,
oaky" "pinot-like (2 people)" "buttered popcorn, oak and tannin, medicinal" "very camphor on
nose, bing cherry on palate, well balanced, but short finish" "balanced, smooth aftertaste"
|  Firelands Gewurztraminer 2008 (Isle St. George, OH) Isle St. George is a unique AVA on North Bass Island
in Lake Erie, solely worked by Firelands. 12.5% abv Firelands Winery
917 Bardshar Rd. Sandusky, OH 44870
(419) 625-5474 info@firelandswinery.com My tasting notes Nice nose with lovely florals, perhaps too too. Potpourri on palate and lacks acid or body. Judges' tasting notes "rose nose" "lychee, pineapple" "lychee on nose and taste, short finish" "pineapple"
"pear, low acid, short finish" "chemical" "lovely lychee nose, medium weight, savory on finish"
"nice ripeness" |  Forty-Five North Pinot Noir Rosé 2008 (Leelanau Peninusla, MI) Named for the 45th parallel which passes
through the ample 37 acre vineyard, this is another of the new wave of wineries in the Leelanau peninsula. 11.5% abv
300 cases
Forty-Five North 8580 E. Horn Rd. Lake Leelanau, MI 49653 231-271-1188 My tasting notes Stale bubblegum nose, fake flavors. I don't like this wine at all. Judges' tasting notes "Good
weight and balance" "Lovely color, mute red fruits, pretty rich palate, nice balance and good finish" "nice
pink, not serious but pleasing" "pepper and strawberry nose, lovely and juicy" "smooth and buttery, but
acidic" "floral and strawberry nose, decent fruit balanced by acidity, tart finish" "pretty nose, but
flabby and syrupy" |  Meranda-Nixon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (Ohio River Valley, OH) Located on a former tobacco farm, Meranda-Nixon
has been written up in the Wall Street for their conversion to better forms of agriculture. Amazing ripeness fom the 2007
vintage as can be seen from the 15% abv. Meranda-Nixon Winery 6517 Laycock Rd. Ripley, Oh 45167 (937)
392-4654 My tasting notes I've had this wine many times and am always impressed with the depth of dark fruit and lushness
of it. Sometimes the oak treatment comes out too much with slack vanillin and toast, but there is an underlying svelte power
and depth there. Judges'
tasting notes "cardboard nose, ashy and hot, pretty fruit with
cranberries, light dry finish" "deep hue, cassis, catmint and bacon" "good depth, but medicinal finish"
"mulberry and red rose, rich palate, a little oaky, but will resolve" "smoky" "iodine, dark fruit,
more iodine on palate, shows alcohol" "cedar, butter, crowd-pleaser" "cinnamon, nice texture" "bold,
a bit rought" "firm tannins, a bit raw" "tobacco and earth" | |  Kinkead Ridge Riesling 2008 (Ohio River Valley, OH)
Noted above for their #3 placing Cabernet Franc, Kinkead Ridge also produces a range of white wines in Ripley, OH.
12.1% abv 1.2% rs Harvest Sept 29th. 225 cases Kinkead Ridge 904 Hamburg Street Ripley OH 45167 (937) 392 607 nbentley@kinkeadridge.com My tasting notes I've had mixed experiences
with this wine - honey and apple, bright on the palate, herby on the good side. Dull, flat and washed out on the bad . Both
Clash bottles were on the good side with some white pepper notes, but light finish. Judges' notes "a bit of fox on the nose, good fruit/acid balance, short
finish" "Sweet Tart nose, slight sweet, simple, average" "muted, pear drop, hot" "faint smell
of Chinese food" "complex, good finish" |  Hermes Nebbiolo 2008 (Ohio)
Nebbiolo is most famous for the wines of Barolo and Barbaresco. Uniquely grown in Ohio by Hermes, this wine features
no oak treatment making it a departure from its famous cousins. 13% abv Hermes Vineyards 5913 Hayes Ave Sandusky, OH 44870 419
626 8500 hermesvineyards@bex.net My tasting notes Slightly soapy nose, rose scented. Soft edges, nice elements floating around though not arrayed properly. Solid and
good overall and should knit around the interesting parts. Judges' tasting notes
"blackberry"
"bad cherries, bad balance" "stemmy" "strawberry nose, slight sweet which quickly fades into tart
finish" "jammy, strawberry, not too tannic, balanced" "lovely nose, but too leafy, hibiscus, clean and
tart, but no finish, inspid at the end" "slightly lean, good bouquet" "vibrant leafy, rhubarb, short"
"bright cherry red, almost cough syrup ,gobs of fruit on the nose, dry palate and short" | |  Shady Lane Semi-Dry Riesling 2007 (Leelanau Peninsula, MI)
From the first vintage in 1992, Shady Lane has focused on
embracing the 'cold climate' of the Leelanau Penisula and makes wines firmly rooted there. 11.4% abv 2066 cases 3.0%
rs Shady Lane Cellars
9580 Shady Lane Suttons Bay, Michigan 49682
(231) 947-8865
info@shadylanecellars.com My tasting notes Citrus and floral, nice nose, some funk.
Good balance of sweet/sour. So-so finish. Consistent over both venues. Judges' tasting notes "good
acid/sugar balance" "pink grapefruit, a bit cloying" "ugly nose - stinky cheese, decent acids, pear, apple,
prettier on palate" "grossy nose with surprising distinction to a nice palate" "a bit of sulfur, pleasant
and well-balanced on palate, nice finish" "metallic" "reductive, funk" |  Fenn Valley "42" Ice Wine NV (Michigan)
A rare low-priced ice wine from Vidal Blanc, Vidal Blanc 10.5% abv 37.8 brix 18.9% rs Fenn Valley
6130 122nd Avenue Fennville, MI 49408
(269) 561-2396
winery@fennvalley.com My tasting notes Mangoes and elderflower. Nice balance and persistence. Soft and light in total effect w/o much structure or acid,
but (non-blind) a really nice dessert wine given the friendly price point. Judges' tasting notes "Candied
pears, thick and syrupy sweet, short and cloying finish" "ashy nose, very sticky, pineapple, OK acid" "dried
apricot, canned peaches" "red apple skin, big sweet palate with great length" "chlorine-y bouquet"
| |  Bowers Harbor Block II Riesling 2008 (Old Mission Peninsula, MI)
This Riesling was picked in three different waves and with some
botrytis. 12.0% abv rs 7gm/l 23 brix at harvest Bowers Harbor Vineyards
2896 Bowers Harbor Road Traverse City MI 49686
800-616-7615
info@bowersharbor.com My tasting notes Nice aromatics with apples and slight petrol note. Faded off on the palate and was just OK overall.
Judges' tasting notes "expressive
nose with apples and flowers, more apples and firm acidity" "complex and ripe, good acidity" "mute nose,
pear drop, hot" "pretty and clean, white flowers, apple and pear, juicy finish, nice minerality"
|  Brys Artisan Series Pinot Noir 2007 (Old Mission Peninsula, MI)
Brys Estate's Artisan Series is one of the most ambitous in
Michigan and we were lucky to get one of these wines into the Clash as they quickly sell out. 13.8% abv Brys Estate
3309 Blue Water Road Traverse MI 49686
231-223-9303
info@brysestate.com My tasting notes Nice fruit, crushed flowers and dust. Nice stucture and delineation. Odd, somewhat bitter finish (which isn't a bad
thing in itself) and a little out of balance. Judges' tasting notes "honeycomb and cough syrup
on the nose, grapey tannins, long and intriguing" "herbal tea, green almonds, red cherry, spicy" "very
nice, slightly chalky" "faint and closed nose, dusty black cherry, palate quite rich with lovely berry and cherry"
"dry and peppery" "muted nose, some black cherry, dusty with firm acidity, hot, good moutfeel, decent finish"
| | L a Vigna White 2008 (Ohio River Valley, OH) This is made from 100% Petit Manseng, a grape native to SW France which is also gaining traction
in Virgina. Uniquely planted by La Vigna in Ohio. 13.9% 64 cases Petit
Manseng La Vigna Estate Winery 6035 State Route 505 Georgetown, OH 45121
937-375-1104 My tasting notes There is a nice cut to this wine, but the overall effect is just like many wines from SW
France. I think something interesting will emerge over time from this vineyard, but not there yet. Judges' tasting notes "wierd, dark gold color, closed nose, some toast and tropical fruits, slight off-odor, awkward on the palate"
"over-ripe pineapple, yellow fruits, pretty acidity, exotic" "candied finish" "dried apple nose,
a little musty, snappy yellow apple crisp finish" "honey and smoke" "lanolin, balance tilting toward acid,
ticklish, high abv" "dry leaves" "burnt tire nose" |  Bowers Harbor Pinot Gris 2008 (Old Mission Peninsula, MI)
12% abv Bowers Harbor Vineyards
2896 Bowers Harbor Road Traverse City MI 49686
800-616-7615
info@bowersharbor.com My tasting notes Sorry, this left not much impression on me. Judges' tasting notes "Cheesy nose (several people)"
"effervescent (several people)" "slight carbonation" "light and flavor, some apple" "subtle
nose" "banana peel" | |  St. Joseph Riesling Pinot Vista Vineyard 2007 (Grand River Valley, OH)
After converting completely to vinifera in 1986, St. Joseph has been a leader in the drive
for quality in the Grand River Valley. This wine is from their newest vineyard and is made in a stronger, more Austrian style
than what is usually expected in Ohio. 12% abv St. Joseph Vineyard
6060 Madison Rd Thompson, Ohio 44086
(440)-298-3709
StJosephVineyard@Windstream.Net My tasting notes Intense petrol and mineral nose. Thicker with a sweetness in the core. Gives way to musky,
tropical florals over time. Persistence. Identical notes across both venues and I liked this wine a lot more than my judges.
Really good stuff. Judges' tasting notes "musky cologne nose, floral, sweet
tart, pineapple tones, fun but average" "over-ripe pineapple, beautiful ripe palate" "slight sour rot
in nose, sweet middle, imbalanced a bit" "distinctive floral nose, a bit flabby" "nice acidity, good mouthfeel"
"agressive floral bouquet" "green pear" |  Markko Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Ohio)
Arne Ester at Markko is one of the real pioneers of Ohio wine, opening his winery in the
'60s and developing a trellising system specifically for our Midwestern climate. 11.5% abv Markko
4500 South Ridge Rd Conneaut, Ohio 44030
800-252-3197 My
tasting notes I like this wine a lot more than the judges, which is
why I use the conceit of these personal notes here. Currants and smoke with an old, dry wood accent. Lots of funk and earthy
compoments make this wine, hanging on an admittedly fragile structure. Judges' tasting notes "Lean"
"Green bell pepper, sleek tart cherry, hollow middle" "asparagus, green pepper, green olive, nice elements,
wish for more fruit" "dusty and vegetal, pickles" "nice finish" "very tannic" "green,
horsey" "tannic, thin, defintely needs food" "odd texture, lactic" | |  Ferrante Vidal Ice Wine 2007 (Grand River Valley, Ohio)
The Ferrante Family is a standard bearer for wine in Northeast
Ohio.We were saddened by the loss of patriarch Peter Ferrante Sr this Fall, but the winery is in good hands with their Golden
Bunches 2007 Riesling being a Clash winner last year. 12%abv, 38.0 brix at harvest, 19.5 brix rs Ferrante Winery
5585 State Route 307 Harpersfield Township,
OH 440-466-8466 My tasting notes I've had very nice bottles of this wine with clean fruit and a really lively personality. Alas, all three bottles
in the Clash (we opened a backup too) were washed-out and had off-notes.
Judges' tasting notes "Slightly off bouquet, honeyed." "Muted-honey, honeycomb" "Complex, quiet" "Pineapple,
soft pear, papaya, syrupy" "pickle juice, cabbage, short finish" "pickles" "mercaptans"
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