WTN: Lipton's Tea

[Jenise]

Mark Lipton and I traded Gamays recently. With my second turkey dinner of the week last night, here are the two he sent me:

2021 Jean Foillard Fleurie Gamay
On first sniff one is instantly reminded of the fact that 'Fleurie' means flower. Here, it enhances the medium-dark cherry fruit and amplifies the Foillard spice. Some cola notes emerge with time in the glass. Lovely.

2021 Chateau Grand Traverse Gamay Noir Old Mission Peninsula
My first ever Michigan wine. Pale bronze-red color and initial antique aromas brings to mind a very pleasant instant flashback of afternoon tea at my grandmother's house. Brief scents of dried flowers, cherry shortbread, dusty doilies and old fabrics add flavor and experience to the fading cranberry fruit. Lighter bodied and with higher acidity, it's technically not in the same class as the Foillard Fleurie, but a little more emotional.

[David M. Bueker]

Good trade!

Lovely notes, Jenise. I totally agree on the Foillard. Some of the referents in your impressions of the Grand Traverse Gamay are unique to you, methinks, but the overall impression squares with my own. I think putting it up against Brun's L'Ancien would possibly be a fairer comparison, as both are vinified in a "Burgundian" style as opposed to Foillard's semi-carbonic, but that's nit-picking.

[Jenise]

Of course re the Grand Traverse. It was just one of those wonderful things wine can do--take you to another place and time that make no sense to anyone else--hence my self-deprecating comment about being "emotional". We thoroughly enjoyed both wines. Thank you so much! I look forward to your notes on the BC and Oregon gamays.