2005 Wyncroft Riesling Avonlea Vineyard - USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore (7/15/2008)

I tried this at the winery with Jim Lester and a friend. Second time I have had this wine. The first time being a barrel sample in 2006. This has changed quite a bit in the last 2 years. Gone is the tropical fruit on the nose which it rather Germanlike. It has also put on some weight. 2005 was an excellent vintage. Warm, dry and a sunny harvest on October 26-30th. Only 50 cases were made. 13% alcohol and vinified dry in an Austrian style. Notes of white currant, pear, spice box and a little petrol. Overall a solid core of crisp fruit with fine minerality on the finsih. This wine will improve and probably show best at about 7+ years old. 89-90 points.

VM

I had my second bottle of the '05 two nights ago and would agree with Vino Me's description. I had it a with an '04 Trimbach Riesling and the similarities were definitely there. I truly enjoy this austere style of Riesling and think that his Riesling, to my taste, is one of the best wines that Jim makes. crisp and minerally are the key descriptors for this wine, which was wonderfully refreshing on a hot summer evening. I would score this a little higher, in the 90-91+ category.

Dale

A 90+ point wine from Michigan would set a record, and one that can age? I am not trying to be sarcastic or facetious. Do you have experience with German and Austrian Riesling enough to feel confident that this wine will last 7+ years. I currently have some Dr. K Riesling that I am hanging on to, I want to see what happens to it with a few years. Low risk given the less then $20 a bottle investment. Are you going to put any into your cellar VinoMe?

Ray,

Thanks for your interest.

I'd like to think I have a some experience with German and Austrian Riesling upon which to base my opinion. A check of CT indicates that I have about 350 German TN's and another 166 Austrian TN's that I've entered over the last 4 years. I've also visited wineries in Germany, the Wachau valley and Burgenland.

With respect to experience with these particular wines, I've had the good fortune to taste older vintages of both of Wyncrofts Rieslings. I tried the 1999 Avonlea and the 1999 Madron Lake in 2006 (7 years old) and they were beautiful. I rated the Avonlea 91 points and the Madron Lake 88 points. Other Wyncroft Rieslings that I've tried over the years include the 2003 Avonlea and the 2002-2004 Madron Lake.

To answer your question about having these in my cellar, yes I do have some. The reason for my visit last weekend was to pick up a case of the 2005 Avonlea Riesling that a friend and I split. I also have some 2002 Wyncroft Riesling Madron Lake left in my cellar.

VM

Is the vineyard North toward Traverse City, or more south toward Holland? Just trying to figure out if it would be a feasible visit when I'm back home again in Indiana.

It's south and I believe not too far from the Indiana border (but I haven't visited).

The "garage winery" is in Buchanon, Michigan just North of the Indiana border near South Bend. Tasting by appointment only. Vineyards are a few miles West closer to the Lake. Send an email to Jim if interested:

jlester (at) wyncroftwine (dot) com

VM

That's amazing, wine near South Bend. There is so much potential for beautiful epicurean specialties from the midwest. When I drive though some of the farmlands of France that produce amazing cheese and cured meats, I can't help but think how those areas resemble the Midwest in terms of weather and geography. Such a vast area in its infancy of being discovered for it's potential.

Vino, thanks for the e-mail address. I'm gonna see if I can get my hands on a few bottles. Their are over 60 wineries in Mn but I have never had anything come close to a 90 pt wine.