Chateau Grand Traverse Gamay Noir, 2017

When tasting both the Pinor Noir and Gamay Noir at the winery every year, I always prefer the Gamay and remark that it tastes more like Pinot Noir than Gamay. The person doing the pouring nearly always agrees with me. With this 2017, after a few years in the bottle the comparison with Pinot is less obvious, but this still ranks as my favorite Michigan red.

Medium dark color. Similar to that of the New Zealand Pinot beside it at the table. Intense smells and flavors of red raspberry and tart cherry. Sweet fruit framed by lots of black pepper. Reminds me of a good Southern Rhone, and I like that.