American/French Hybrid Wine Tasting Notes

Here are our tasting notes for American/French Hybrids. We are drinking more of these as a result of our travels to midwestern wineries. If you have any of these, most of the single varietal reds REQUIRE a lot of aging. This is especially true of Chambourcin, Chancellor, and Norton/Cynthiana. That being said, they will reward you with unique flavors and noses that are worth the time. Many of the whites are sweeter than their vinifera cousins so it can be hard to decide if a given white is a dessert wine or not, check both places.
About our ratings. We have used a variety of systems over the last few months. We initially started with a 100 point system, for a while, I used a 20 point system. We are now both using our own 30 point system but older tasting notes were left with whatever system we were using at the time of tasting. For a fuller explanation, please see my Understanding the Wine Ratings Page. We are now including complete scores with our tasting notes. Here are what the abbreviations stand for; AP:appearance/clarity, C:color, AR:aroma/bouquet, AC:appropriate acidity, SW:appropriate sweetness, B:body, FL:flavor, TN:appropriate tannin, AS:asescence, F:finish, GQ:general quality, T=total points.

We also use a 5 point Quality-Price-Rating (QPR), which measures our feelings about buying them again, i.e., are they a good value for the money.


Wines are grouped by varietal;
American and Hybrid Varietals

Red Wines
St. Julian's Lake Michigan Shore Simply Red. $5.00
Simple grapey, hybrid nose. Very simple but tasty with strawberry, jammy, and grapey flavors. A touch of sweetness but needs more acidity. Good pizza wine. Tasted on 10/31/97. QPR=3.
Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:1, AR:2.5, AC:1, SW:2, B:2, FL:2.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:2, T=20
Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:1.5, AR:3, AC:2, SW:1.5, B:2, FL:3, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:2.5, T=22.5
Smoky Hill Premium Claret 1995. $12.00
Rich, deep red color with a spicy Norton nose of black fruit, oak, anise, and spice. Lighter bodied than we expected. buttery flavors of blackfruit, spice, cedar and leather. The high acidity wants another 1-2 years of aging. Not a bad effort for Kansas. Tasted on 8/12/97. QPR=2.
Brad's Scores. AP:1.5, C:2, AR:3.5, AC:1, SW:2, B:2, FL:2, TN:2, AS:1, F:1, GQ:2, T=20
Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3.5, AC:1, SW:2, B:1, FL:3, TN:2, AS:1.5, F:1, GQ:2.5, T=21.5
Good Harbor Leelenau Peninsula Harbor Red NV. $6.00
Rich black cherry nose with some currant and anise notes but generally rather simple. Light bodied with flavors of cherry, blackfruit and a touch of oak and cedar. Occasionally a hint of carbonation but hard to pin down. Simple but tasty Marechal Foch blend.
Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:1.5, AR:3.5, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:3.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1.5, GQ:2.5, T=24.5
Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:1.5, AR:3, AC:2, SW:2, B:1, FL:3, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:2, T=21.5
Leelenau Cellars Autumn Harvest NV. $6.00
A Baco Noir-de Chaunac blend. Raspberry, cherry, green pepper nose. Blackfruit, cherry and pepper flavors which could have used a touch of oak. Volatile acidity was just short of being objectionable to me. Jenny thought it had a long finish, I thought it had a short one (we always disagree about a wine's finish!) Tasted on 7/2/97. QPR=2.
Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3, AC:2, SW:2, B:1, FL:2.5, TN:1.5, AS:1, F:0.5, GQ:2, T=19.5
Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3, AC:1.5, SW:2, B:1.5, FL:3, TN:2, AS:1, F:2, GQ:2.5, T=22.5
Warner Lake Michigan Shore Mello Red NV. $7.00
Beautiful black-red color. Soft buttery nose with sweet blackberry and spice nose. Sweet with blackfruit, cherry and raisin flavors. Lightbodied and not much finish. This is very much like a lighter bodied, lower alcohol port. Great with spicy food. Tasted on 7/1/97. QPR=5.
Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3, AC:2, SW:2, B:1.5, FL:3, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:2.5, T=23
Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3, AC:2, SW:2, B:1.5, FL:3, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:2.5, T=23
St. Julian Lake Michigan Shore Chambourcin 1991. $8.00
Almost black, beautiful dark color. Nice spicy nose with anise and fruit notes and just a hint of foxiness. The spiciness carrys on with flavors of cherry, blackberry, anise, tobacco, and allspice. Solid oak and tannins which could easily let this one age for another 5 years. Time had definitely improved this one over the 1994 we had tried earlier. Still a high acidity wine but not objectionably so and a great complement to our spicy roast. We will probably buy a couple of the 1994s to lay down. Tasted on 6/1/97. QPR=4.
Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:3, TN:2, AS:1, F:2, GQ:2, T=23
Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:3, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:3, T=23
St. Julian Lake Michigan Shore Chancellor 1991. $8.00.
Lovely purple-black color. Cab like nose with spice, fruit and blackberry notes. The oak, tannin, and acidity have all settled down with a few more years in the bottle. No foxiness but plum, black fruit, anise and tobacco flavors were detectable, none particularly dominant as they all blended together nicely. Finish is short but pleasant. We are going to buy a few more to cellar as I think this could still use a few more years but its definitely an improvement over the too young 1995 we drank earlier. Tasted on 5/9/97. QPR=4.
Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:3, TN:2, AS:1, F:1, GQ:2, T=22
Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:3, TN:2, AS:1 or 2, F:2, GQ:3, T=24 or 25
St. Julian Lake Michigan Shore Chambourcin 1994. $8.00.
This wine is hard for us to characterize. Beautiful black-red color with a nice grapey nose. This wine is rich, with only a hint of foxiness. Good tannin with fruit, spice, anise and some stemminess. There was also an oily taste that was hard to categorize. Acidity did not seem high but must have been as it tended to upset our stomachs in exactly that way. I tasted this several times over the course of an hour or two and it gradually settled down to an acceptable level. We gave it 16/20. Tasted on 4/27/97. For once we slightly disagreed on its QPR, Jenny gave it a 1, I gave it a 2. If you try this, decant at least on hour before drinking, it does seem to help. Also, see our tasting notes for the the 1991 above.
St. Julian Lake Michigan Shore Chancellor 1995. $8.00.
Nice nose. Simple forward fruit, Jenny noted hints of raspberry and lemon. Some steminess. Good tannic backbone. Finish was long and smooth. I found the volatile acidity very objectionable but this a varietal noted for high acidity. Jenny thought it improved with food. It should be noted that the bottle recommended 5-10 years of aging and much of what we found objectionable might disappear. I gave this 15/20, Jenny gave it 84/100. Tasted on 4/18/97. QPR=2 or 3, by itself I was not happy but we are intrigued and might buy one to set down.

White and Sparkling Wines
Huber Indiana White Blossom 1996. $12.00
What a wonderful nose on this Seyval Blanc! Full of tropical fruit, apples and rose petals. Creamy and rich, tree fruit, especially apples, dominates the palate which is complemented by citrus/kiwi notes. A bit tart but still very tasty. Nice but not outstanding finish. Tasted on 12/7/97. QPR=4
Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:4, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:3.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1.5, GQ:3, T=26
Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:4, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:4, TN:2, AS:2, F:1.5, GQ:3, T=26.5
Tartan Hill Tartan Mist 1995 $6.00
My notes aren't as good as they might be, but I believe this is a seyval and vidal blanc blend. Crisp nose of apples and pears with a hint of lemony citrus. Sweeter than we expected but not objectionably so and the crisp acidity balanced the ripe fruit flavors of apple, figs, apricot, citrus and a hint of melon. Nice finish. The vintner was trying for a Spatlese type of wine and succeeded nicely. Tasted on 10/4/97. QPR=5.
Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3.5, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:3.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1.5, GQ:3, T=25.5
Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:4, TN:2, AS:2, F:2, GQ:3, T=26
Les Bourgeois Solay 1996 $7.00
No clue on the bottle as to the varietal of this Missouri wine, but my guess is vignoles? Very light colored. Lots of luscious citrus on the somewhat gewürztraminer-like nose which is complemented by fig, spice, and apple notes. Light bodied but quite appealing with flavors echoing the nose. Enough acid for food. Very pleasant. Tasted on 9/19/97. QPR=4.
Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:1.5, AR:4, AC:2, SW:2, B:1, FL:3.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:.5, GQ:2.5, T=23
Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:1.5, AR:4, AC:2, SW:2, B:1, FL:3.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1.5, GQ:3.5, T=25
Good Harbor Michigan Fishtown White 1996. $6.00
A blend of 39% Chardonnay, 31% Vignoles, and 30% Seyval. Nose of apple, figs, peaches with a hint of ginger and citrus. Simple flavors echo the nose. Pleasant but simple wine. Tasted on 8/31/97. QPR=3.
Brad's Scores. AP:, C:, AR:, AC:, SW:, B:, FL:, TN:, AS:, F:, GQ:, T=
Jenny's Scores. AP:, C:, AR:, AC:, SW:, B:, FL:, TN:, AS:, F:, GQ:, T=
Boskeydell Leelenau Peninsula Vignoles 1993. $10.00
Light color with a nose that was loaded with fruit. Peach, apple, pear and fig. A bit tart with green apple flavors dominating over hints of nectarine. High acidity and a short finish. Tasted on 8/30/97. QPR=2.
Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3.5, AC:1.5, SW:2, B:1.5, FL:2.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:2, T=22
Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3.5, AC:1, SW:2, B:2, FL:2.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1.5, GQ:2, T=22.5
Tartan Hill Proprietor's Reserve Tartan White NV $10.00
A blend of 50% Vidal, 25% Seyval, and 25% Vignoles. Very light colored. Nose is bursting with fruit; apples, peaches, pear, and tropical fruit. Crisp yet has a touch of fruity sweetness with spicy ginger notes. Creamy citrus flavors dominate. Tasted on 8/17/97. QPR=3.
Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:1, AR:4, AC:2, SW:2, B:1.5, FL:4, TN:2, AS:2, F:1.5, GQ:3, T=25
Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:1, AR:3.5, AC:1, SW:1.5, B:2, FL:3, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:3, T=22
Fenn Valley Lake Michigan Shore Soliloquy NV. $9.00
A blend of the 1996 Seyval and 1995 Vidal Blanc. Sweet, fruity nose of apricot, fig, melon and green apple notes. Very light bodied and somewhat sweet. Creamy fruit flavors of fig, kiwi, citrus, apricot, peach and apple. Jenny thought there was a touch of herbaceousness. Too thin and weak for our tastes but might make a good picnic, hot summer day wine. Tasted on 7/4/97. QPR=2.
Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:1, AR:3.5, AC:2, SW:1.5, B:0.5, FL:3, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:2, T=20.5
Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:1, AR:3, AC:2, SW:2, B:0.5, FL:2.5, TN:2, AS:1.5, F:0.5, GQ:2, T=19
St. Julian Michigan Brut Champagne NV. $8.00
Lovely golden color. Nice nose with an odd but not unpleasant note that reflects Vignoles content. Pear, apple and oak (?) notes. Moderately dry with apricot and apple flavors. I found an earthy aftertaste but Jenny did not note it. Nice crisp acidity. Simple but not unpleasant. Made from a blend of Vignoles and Seyval. Tasted on 6/30/97. QPR=3.
Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:1.5, AR:3, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:2, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:1.5, T=21
Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3, AC:2, SW:1, B:2, FL:3, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:2.5, T=22.5

Dessert Wines
Smoky Hill Icewein NV. $15.00 (375 ml.)
A vignoles based wine from Kansas (!) with an unfortunate spelling. Nice honey color. Rich creamy nose of apples, figs, tropical fruit, honey, herbs,and lavender. Apricot, honey, fruit flavors that stopped just short of being syrupy. This one reminded me a little too much of canned fruit cocktail, still it was tasty if simple for an Eiswein.
Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:4, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:3, TN:2, AS:2, F:3, GQ:2.5, T=25.5
Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:3.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:2.5, T=24
Smoky Hill Premium Auslese 1995. $9.00
This vignoles based "auslese" is another Kansas wine. Pale golden in color with a sweet figgy, apple and peach nose with a hint of spice and floral notes. Peach was the dominant flavor although I thought it strongly tasting of canned fruit cocktail juice as well. Very sweet with a citrus bite. This wine needed more acid and structure. A little air time saw it deteriating rapidly. Neither of us liked it so well as our scores might indicate. Tasted on 9/24/97. QPR=2.
Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:4, AC:1.5, SW:2, B:2, FL:3, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:2, T=23.5
Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:4, AC:2, SW:2, B:1, FL:3.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:3, T=24.5
St. Julian Lake Michigan Shore Sweet Reserve Seyval Blanc 1995. $6.00
Spicy apple, pear, peach nose. Creamy fruit with melon, citrus, kiwi, peach/pear flavors. Jenny thought this was rich, creamy and delicious. I thought it was a simple but pleasant quaff. Your mileage may vary! Tasted on 7/18/97. QPR=4.
Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:1, AR:2.5, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:2.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:2.5, T=21.5
Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:1, AR:3, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:3.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1.5, GQ:3, T=24
St. Julian Lake Michigan Shore Sweet Reserve Vidal Blanc 1995 $6.00
Lovely nose of starfruit, pineapple and nutmeg, Jenny compared it to the smell of cotton candy. A mouthful of starfruit with ginger, mandarin orange, peach, pear, and pineapple flavors with a hint of butterscotch. Very rich and very nice. Tasted on 5/23/97. QPR=5.
Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:5, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:4, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:2, T=26
Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:4, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:4, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:3, T=26

Ports and Sherries
Warner Michigan Light Solera Cream Sherry. $10.00
Beautiful amber color. Creamy nutty, vanilla, almond, and cola nose. Buttery on the palate, with nuts, cola, figs, honey, maple, and vanilla flavors. Long warm finish. The solera was established in 1946. Tasted on 10/14/97. QPR=5.
Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:4, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:4, TN:2, AS:2, F:2, GQ:3, T=27
Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:4, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:3.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1.5, GQ:3, T=26
Mount Pleasant Augusta J.R.L.'s Barrel Select Port NV. $13.00
Almost black. Slight medicinal note on the rich buttery, cola and blackfruit nose. Also notes of butter-rum, raisins and grape. A very fruity port with lots of blackfruit, fig and currant flavors. Strong alcohol notes and higher acid than we like to see. Long finish. Not super complex but a nice port for the money. Tasted on 8/16/97. QPR=3.
Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:3, AR:3.5, AC:1.5, SW:2, B:2, FL:3.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:2, GQ:3, T=25.5
Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:1.5, AR:3, AC:1.5, SW:2, B:2, FL:3.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:2, GQ:3, T=24.5
Fenn Valley Classic Port NV. $12.00 for 500ml.
A Chancellor based port with a touch of Chambourcin. Not as richly colored as many ports. Blackberry, raisin and anise nose. Rich flavors of blackberry, raisin, butterscotch, and pepper. Nice finish but not spectacular. Not particularly complex but a good port for non-Port fanatics. Tasted on 7/2/97. QPR=3.
Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:1.5, AR:3, AC:2, SW:2, B:1.5, FL:3, TN:2, AS:2, F:1.5, GQ:2, T=22.5
Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:1.5, AR:2.5, AC:2, SW:2, B:1.5, FL:2.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:2.5, T=21.5
St. Julian Michigan Light Solera Cream Sherry (NV). $11.00.
Wonderful nose of vanilla, caramel, honey (like a very, very good bourbon!). Rich layers of cola, cassis, honey, nuts and cider flavors. Nice warm finish that lasts a long time. Jenny gave this 87/100 and I gave 88/100. Tasted on 4/28/97. QPR=5.
St. Julian Catherman's Port (NV). $11.00.
What a pleasant surprise! A very nice, port nose with a good long finish. Layers of raspberry, blackfruit and raisins. I assume some hybrids in this because of a very slight foxiness which surprisingly, improves the wine. I often find ports too sweet and the foxiness, which was more marked the second day, cut through that nicely. I gave this 17/20, Jenny gave 88/100. Tasted on 4/19/97. QPR=5. Retasted on 5/17/97 with similar notes. We have now (9/8/97) had multiple bottles of this and it just keeps rising in our esteem.

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