Maker: Wyncroft/Marland, Fennville, Michigan, USA.
Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc (75%), Semillon (25%)
Place of origin: Lake Michigan Shore, Michigan, USA.
Vintage: 2020
Note: Aged in acacia barrels.
ABV: Not disclosed (table wine loophole)
Purchased for $19 (winery).
Appearance: Very pale straw
Nose: Golden delicious apples
Palate: Pear, touch of wood, honey.
Finish: Honey, gravel, clementines.
Parting words: Marland Sauv Blanc/Semillon is basically the less expensive, non-estate version of Wyncroft Shou (pronounced “show”) white. To my knowledge, Wyncroft’s James Lester is the only winemaker in Michigan who uses acacia barrels to ferment and age a white blend like this. He does it because that’s how many wineries in Bordeaux make their white blends. I don’t drink a lot of white Bordeaux, but the technique works very well in this wine, and its more expensive cousin. It adds a rich mouthfeel without any of the toasty tastes and aromas one gets from French oak barrels.
I’m not sure how much of this vintage is still kicking around, but 2020 was a great one for pretty much everything, so if you see this, pick it up! It’s a good all-season white that goes beyond the typical summertime porch-sipper. 2020 Marland Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon is recommended.
For more information on Wyncroft/Marland, see the write up of my visit there last year here.
Sipology 
Josh,
Thanks for this informative review. Jim is a good, knowledgeable winemaker. I am going to research acacia barrels.
It would be helpful if when you review a non-estate wine you provide details about the vineyard that grew the grapes.
Best, Bill
Thanks for commenting Bill! Sorry for the delay. Between the normal holiday stuff and some illness, the last few weeks have been difficult in our house.
I don’t usually include that information because of the amount of time it would take to track it down, but if I know in advance I may shoot the winemaker an email and ask about vineyards for non-estate wines in the future.
That said, do you have inside information on the grapes that went into this wine? Were some of them from your vineyards?
No, I do not have inside information on this. As you know my view is where and how the vines are planted and cared for and how the grapes are grown in terms of crop load, harvest chemistries, etc. is the most important thing about making high quality wine. I like to have whatever information is available about the grapes used when I sample wines.