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 
Interesting reaction, as this wine was just awarded a best in class fruit wine from the Michigan Wine & Spirits Competition. Several Master Sommeliers are part of the judging.
How odd. I can’t imagine a duller cherry wine than this.
Hi Josh, I couldn’t help but notice how absolutely wrong you were about the CDL Cherry Wine. It makes me wonder if you need to try some of our other wines over again… Feel free to contact me via email if you can bring yourself to give them another chance.
Matt
2012 Michigan Wine & Spirits Competition Results
Best of Class Winners
Dry White Wine
Chateau Fontaine – 2011 Pinot Blanc
Dry Red Wine
Shady Lane Cellars – 2010 Blue Franc
Semi-Dry White Wine
Fenn Valley Vineyards – 2011 Vignoles Reserve
Sparkling Wine
L. Mawby – Blanc de Blancs
Dessert Wine
Lawton Ridge Winery – 2011 Late Harvest Vignoles
Fruit Wine
Chateau de Leelanau – Cherry Wine
Judges’ Merit Award
L. Mawby – Blanc de Noirs
Sponsors of the 2012 Gold Medal Reception
[…] and an “interesting reaction” comment from MBTB’s Courtney Casey. I stand by that review, but after hearing that they’ve changed ownership since then I decided to give them another […]