2017 M Cellars Chardonnay Reserve, Ohio, Grand River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

Ohio used to be one of the top winemaking spots in the US.  While it no longer has the reputation it once had, there are some very good wines being made in Ohio.  This is especially true for the whites and the dessert wines.  Chardonnay, however, is not typically one of the more successful whites, but this is one of the best!  Light golden/green in color.  The nose is nice with melons, vanilla and slight spice.  On the palate, this has a creamy texture.  Light acidity.  The melons and vanilla come thru along with some tropical fruit.  Very refreshing and better if served cold to bring out m

2013 Firelands Winery Lake Erie Vidal Blanc Ice Wine, USA, Ohio,

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

From a winery in northwest Ohio along the Lake Erie shore.  Vidal Blanc, is a hybrid grape that does very well in this area and makes wonderful dessert wines.  This is a true Ice Wine and not artificially produced.  Deep golden in color.  The nose is pretty with a canned peaches in heavy syrup quality to it.  On the palate, there are more peaches along with a bit of orange peel and slight bitter honey.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This would go with anything that a Sauternes would go with.  It should last another five years for sure and maybe ten.  It is one of the styles of wine that is m

2016 M Cellars Pinot Gris, USA, Ohio, Grand River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
85
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$16.00USD

This had been purchased from retail so it may have been sitting on the supermarket shelves for a while.  Fairly priced at $16.  It was solid but not as good as most of the wines from this producer.  In our tasting it was one of two wines that got no first, second or third place votes.  Light silvery gold in color.  The nose has little to offer.  On the palate it shows more of a grapefruit juice turning a bit bitter on the finish.  It has a nice mouthfeel.  This was likely much better in its youth or from a pristine bottle.  Drink up if you have one.  

2017 M Cellars Riesling Grand River Valley, USA, Ohio, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$28.00USD

These days, I think that M Cellars is making some of the best wines in Ohio.  They are nestled in the northeast corner of Ohio not too far from the Lake Erie shore.  There are actually quite a few wineries in that part of the state.  Most utilize a "tourist" model for selling their wine.  M Cellars is one of the few attempting to make world class wines and more often than not, they achieve that goal.  This bottle was recently purchased at their tasting room.  It was one of my favorites in a tasting of Ohio and New York wines.  Light silvery green in color.  The nose has a lemony quality whi

2017 Kelley's Island Wine Company Inscription White, USA, Ohio, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
80
Grade: 
B-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

Back in the days before Prohibition, the wines from the Lake Erie Islands far outsold the wines from Sonoma.  Peruse and older text and you will see that these islands produced some of the top wines this country produced.  Nowadays, the islands mostly serve as a summer weekend destination for fun and cheap beer, but there is still some wine being made in the area.  No doubt most of the wine is better enjoyed on a hit summer's day, listening to music in a bar.  Still, it is good to try the wines and see what is being produced.  This is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Vidal Blanc.  It is uncle

2017 Urban Vintner Carménère, USA, Ohio, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
78
Grade: 
C+
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

Urban Vintner is an Ohio wine making wine from purchased grapes.  This wine was made from grapes purchased in Chile.  I tasted from a freshly opened bottle.  I was told it improved greatly with air.  Purple in color.  The nose is all about bell pepper.  Concentrated and persistent bell pepper.  Maybe a bit of smoke as well.  Now, a little bell pepper in a Cabernet can be charming at times, but this was unpleasant.  On the palate, this has tingling acidity.  Perhaps some trapped CO2.  There are some plums on the palate with slight tannins.  Short finish.  Tastes vary and you might like this,

2017 Urban Vintner Cabernet Sauvignon Vintner's Reserve, USA, Ohio, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

Urban Vintner is an Ohio winery making wine from purchased grapes.  This particular wine uses grapes from the Red Mountain AVA in Washington State.  This was the best of their wines and is not only respectable but quite good.  Garnet in color.  The nose has black cherries with a slight herbal (chervil?) note.  The tannins come on strong at first but mellow out on the midpalate and finish.  There is some depth and complexity but this is young and could use a few years in the cellar.  It is a quality and varietally correct Cabernet.  It calls for bigger grilled or roasted foods and will also

2017 Urban Vintner Trigger Rouge Muddy Paw, USA, Ohio, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
82
Grade: 
B-
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

This is made by a winery in Ohio from California grapes.  It is a Zinfandel blend made in a lighter and easier style.  Light ruby in color.  The nose has candies cherries.  On the palate, this is sweet and almost cloying.  It reminds one of home made wines made in Italian communities often self referred to as "Dago Red".  Not a style that I prefer but those who like a sweet red will probably enjoy this more.  Food such as pizza or cheese would certainly help.

2017 Urban Vintner Sémillon Muddy Paws, USA, Ohio, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

Urban Vintner is an Ohio winery making wine in Ohio from purchased grapes around the globe.  Muddy Paws is their value line with $1 from every bottle going to the local animal rescue.  The grapes for this wine are from Washington state.  Light silvery green/gold in color.  The nose has some peach and a bit of citrus.  On the palate, this is slightly sweet with peach notes.   There is also a bit of a minty quality on the finish.  Not a lot of depth in this wine, but easy sweet wine.  Those looking for this type of wine will probably like it more than I.  Mostly a cocktail wine or with a nice

2017 Urban Vintner Sauvignon Blanc, USA, Ohio, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

This winery is located just east of Cleveland Ohio.  They purchase grapes from around the world and craft wines.  Most wines are sold locally or at their tasting room.  These grapes are from Clear Lake in Lake County, California.  Light silvery/gold in color.  The nose is a bit grassy with a slight melon note.  A nice slightly oily texture.  On the palate, this is light.  Some melon notes.  It's a bit flat but overall an easy, clean wine with no faults.  This should be a popular wine at the tasting room on a Friday summer night.  

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