Maker: Chateau Grand Traverse, Old Mission Peninsula , Traverse City, Michigan, USA
Grape: Grüner Veltliner (GruV for short)
Region: Old Mission AVA, Traverse City, Michigan, USA
Vintage: 2010
ABV: 12.8%
Color: fairly dark gold.
Nose: Big, rich and peary. Surprising amount of fruit.
On the palate: Surprisingly dry and flinty, with a hint of tangerine. Full-bodied for a white of this type.
Finish: Lingering minerality with little sweetness.
Parting words: According to CGT, when their vineyard site on Old Mission Peninsula was first surveyed for grape variety possibilities, GruV came up as one of the suggestions. The 2009 vintage was their first shot at the variety, hence the name Laika, after the Russian Space Dog who was the first mammal in space. But this is no dog of a wine. If I had a complaint it would be that the fruity nose followed by the flinty dry taste are too jarring in the same wine. It does not have the elegant dryness of fine Austrian GruV, but on the whole Laika should be judged a success. It raises interesting possibilities for New World cultivation of this signature grape of Austria. Recommended.
Not many bottles of this were produced, so if you see some, get it! Better yet, buy one to drink now and one to cellar like I did.
Sipology 