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WTN: Lone Oak Estate Michigan Vignoles (NV)

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Paul B.

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WTN: Lone Oak Estate Michigan Vignoles (NV)

by Paul B. » Sun Nov 12, 2006 7:12 pm

<table align="right" valign="top"><tr><td><img src="http://members.allstream.net/~pabs/wine/loneoakvignoles.JPG" border="0" align="left"></td></tr></table>This is the very first estate-produced varietal Vignoles that I have ever had the chance to purchase and then sit down and study up close. We have absolutely no varietal Vignoles produced as such in Ontario. Lone Oak Estate is very close to Ann Arbor, Michigan - a proverbial stone's throw from the annual MoCool gathering. The winery is worth a visit, and maybe it would even be worth inviting the owners over to MoCool, or at least informing them of the event.

13.2% alc. Crystal-clear light straw colour with a light greenish glint and a bit of carbonation. Forward nose of candied pineapple and green apple; a bit of citrus too. Legs form easily with swirling and more tropical-fruit aromas are confirmed in the bouquet. Excellent, crisp, strong acidity right on the entry; warm and big on the palate with a crisp and firm structure and noticeable alcohol. Excellent, balanced palate feel; the wine is dry. Pineapple flavours carry through to the palate; the texture bespeaks ripe fruit and a very firm structure. This wine can serve both as a most excellent apéritif and as a table wine; it has inherent versatility. The finish is a bit short, however. All in all, though, I really enjoy the pineappley aroma and the great texture. About the only shortcoming that I attribute to the winery and not the wine per se is the lack of a vintage year on the label - how I wish estate wineries would stop omitting the all-important vintage year for us geek types.

A bit of information on Vignoles from Anthony Hawkins' Super Gigantic Winegrape Glossary:

Has synonym name Ravat 51. Variety widely grown in the cooler regions of the northeast American continent, including Canada, and middle band of states of the USA. This cold-hardy (-20 deg. F), late budding, french-american hybrid small-cluster grape ripens in late September. Prone to bunchrot in humid regions. Requires grafting to good vigor rootstock for fruit-bud development. Due to high acid content, is recommended for making white dry, late-harvest and ice-wines. Reported to have Pinot de Corton and Subereux french-american hybrids as direct parents. Currently very popular as a high quality dessert wine because of its restrained fruitiness, high acid and good balance.

I would love to know where in Canada Vignoles is grown - I surely have not heard of a single bottling being made in Ontario.
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Howie Hart

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Re: WTN: Lone Oak Estate Michigan Vignoles (NV)

by Howie Hart » Mon Nov 13, 2006 8:51 am

Vignoles (Ravat 51 - to avoid confusion with Ravat Blanc - Ravat 34) is one of my favorites. As you may recall, Alan Wolfe brought a vertical of Cabin Run Vignoles ice wines and late harvest to our first NiagaraCOOL. I believe Dan Smothergill brought some to this year's NiagarCOOL and we also had a few wines that had Vignoles blended in. I've had variations from dry to very sweet and liked them in all variations. That is one of the reasons I chose to plant it in my backyard vineyard. The high acidity can be a problem to deal with. I'm making 10 gallons of Vignoles this year, which I obtained from a presshouse off Lake Erie (Presque Isle). Some of this is destined to be blended with Cayuga and maybe Vidal (I pressed out 5 bushels of late harvest Vidal yesterday). 8)
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Tom N.

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Re: WTN: Lone Oak Estate Michigan Vignoles (NV)

by Tom N. » Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:32 pm

Paul B. wrote:<table align="right" valign="top"><tr><td><img src="http://members.allstream.net/~pabs/wine/loneoakvignoles.JPG" border="0" align="left"></td></tr></table> The winery is worth a visit, and maybe it would even be worth inviting the owners over to MoCool, or at least informing them of the event. I would love to know where in Canada Vignoles is grown - I surely have not heard of a single bottling being made in Ontario.


Hi Paul,

The winemaker/owner Kip Barber of Lone Oak was a featured speaker at MoCool 2002 Pinot Envy in the Friday luncheon "So, you want to be a winemaker?" He supplied two wines for the lunch and his raspberry dessert wine was very good. Good enough that we went to winery to buy some bottles. He also came to PIGGS MoCool and brought one of his Lone Oak rieslings to the picnic. It was a really different tasting riesling and when I asked him about it, he said that he used a different strain of yeast that gave it that unique taste profile.
Tom Noland
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Paul B.

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Re: WTN: Lone Oak Estate Michigan Vignoles (NV)

by Paul B. » Mon Nov 13, 2006 2:45 pm

Thanks Tom.

I missed the 2002 MoCool, but for some reason had no recollection of his being there at the flying pigs one either. :)
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