Maker: Chateau Grand Traverse, Traverse City, Michigan, USA
Place of origin: Old Mission AVA, Traverse City, Michigan, USA
Vintage: 2012
ABV: 12%
Price: $12 (website price for 2013 vintage)
Appearance: Pale gold.
Nose: Mineral water, pear, tangerine, lemon thyme.
Palate: Full bodied and subtly sweet. Fresh squeezed orange juice, gravel dust, winter savory.
Finish: Orange juice then minerals and a lingering sweetness.
Parting words: As much as I love Chateau Grand Traverse and Riesling, I shocked myself when I saw this on a shelf a few months ago and realized I had never tried it. Not sure why I never picked up a bottle but I’m very glad I did.
I’m not sure my tasting notes do it justice. It’s more complex than they might lead one to believe. It’s well integrated but not over-integrated, if that makes sense. The herbal, mineral, and fruit aromas all dance back and forth, each taking their turns leading the wine, but never blurring into one. I like that quality very much. That’s true complexity. The best Four Roses bourbons have that and this wine has it too. The price for this wine is so stupid cheap that I would call this a must buy for anyone who loves Michigan Riesling, or Riesling in general. Chateau Grand Traverse’s 2012 Semi-dry Riesling is highly recommended.
Sipology 