Maker: Chateau de Leenenau, Sutton’s Bay, Michigan, USA
Region: Michigan, USA
ABV: 9.5%
Appearance: Translucent brick red. Like a ruby or unscooped raspberry or cherry jelly in a glass jar.
Nose: Slightly tart cherries, sweetness.
On the palate: Light-bodied and sweet. Sweet cherries, a touch of tartness. Not much else going on.
Finish: Sweet and light. Slightly tart.
Parting words: After tasting what Black Star Farms, Chateau Chantal and St. Julian do with their cherry wines, Chateau de Leenlenau is a disappointment. It’s not unpleasant. It could hit the spot on a hot afternoon or evening if properly chilled. But Michigan cherry wine can be so much more interesting than this. Sadly this wine was the best one at the tasting room, too. The folks at CDL are nice people, but I can’t bring myself to recommend this wine. There are better options for your cherry wine dollar.
Sipology 