GAMAY NOIR RESERVE

The 2020 Gamay Noir Reserve represents the pinnacle of our work with one of Northern Michigan’s most expressive red varietals. While Gamay is often associated with light, early-drinking styles, this Reserve bottling demonstrates what is possible when site, season, and patience converge.

Grown on the sun-exposed slopes of Old Mission Peninsula, the fruit ripened slowly under the moderating influence of Lake Michigan, developing layered aromatics and balanced phenolic maturity. Cool nights preserved natural acidity, while extended daylight encouraged flavor concentration, hallmarks of serious cool-climate red wine.

Following small-lot fermentation, the wine was aged for an extraordinary 55 months in oak, allowing it to evolve with uncommon grace. This prolonged maturation, rare for Gamay in North America, refined the tannins, deepened complexity, and integrated the wine’s components into a seamless whole. The oak never dominates, instead framing the fruit and enhancing texture.

In the glass, the wine shows a clear garnet hue with ruby highlights. Aromas unfold in layers of ripe cherry, black raspberry, violet, dried rose petal, and subtle baking spice, with underlying notes of cedar and forest floor. The palate is medium-bodied and polished, offering precise acidity, supple tannins, and flavors of dark red fruit, tea leaf, and gentle spice. The finish is long, mineral-driven, and quietly persistent.

This is Gamay reimagined. Not simple or fleeting, but thoughtful, structured, and cellar-worthy. It reflects our commitment to pushing cool-climate reds beyond expectation while remaining true to place.

Terroir Insight:
Old Mission Peninsula’s glacial soils, consistent airflow, and lake-moderated temperatures create ideal conditions for Gamay, producing wines with lifted aromatics, moderate alcohol, and natural tension. Compared to warmer-climate expressions, this Reserve emphasizes finesse, freshness, and ageability over sheer weight.

Cellaring Note:
Drinking beautifully now, with continued evolution expected over the next 6 to 10 years. With time, additional notes of dried herbs, leather, and savory earth will emerge.

Pairings – Omnivore:

• Roast chicken with herbs and potatoes
• Grilled pork chops with apple sauce
• Wood-fired pizza with sausage and mushrooms

Pairings – Vegetarian:

• Baked ziti or lasagna with marinara
• Mushroom burgers with Swiss cheese
• Mac and cheese with roasted vegetables

Pairings – Vegan:

• Lentil chili or vegetable stew
• Roasted sweet potatoes with tahini
• Black bean tacos with avocado