American Fine Wine Competition’s 17th Annual ‘The Invitational’
American Fine Wine Competition 2024
Notes from the Winemakers
A medium bodied red, smooth tannins and an earthy complexity make for a food friendly wine that will age well for many years to come. Flavors of red berries and French oak spice.
Composition
100% Blaufränkisch
Production Notes
Harvested in late October, this fruit was run through a flash détente machine in order to extract color and grape skin tannins. The wine was aged for 3.5 years in French and American oak. This wine is bottled unfiltered.
Accolades
Gold (90) - American Fine Wine Competition 2024
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BLÄUFRANKISCH 2018
CHARDONNAY 2018
Notes from the Winemakers
Crisp and clean with notes of warm, sweet oak, Bel Lago’s 2018 Chardonnay is a luscious wine with plenty of complexity to explore. Barrel fermented and sur-lie aged for 24 months, this Chardonnay has whiffs of granny smith apple pie and bright citrus fruit on the nose. Jackfruit, pineapple and lemon roll over the palate first, while the French oak expresses itself in notes of hazelnut, brioche and vanilla from the mid-palate through the finish. Soft, silky tannins and creamy lees provide a rich body to compliment the bright fruit and toasty oak of this vintage.
Composition
100% Chardonnay
Production Notes
Prior to pressing our Chardonnay, the grapes sit on their skins for an hour or two to increase the wine’s color and tannin profile. It is then barrel-fermented and aged on the lees for two years. We stir the lees at least once a month to contribute more flavor, aroma and texture. All of our Chardonnay also completes malolactic fermentation.
Accolades
Gold Medal - San Francisco Wine Chronicle Competition 2024
Gold (90) - American Fine Wine Competition 2024
DRY RIESLING 2021
Notes from the Winemakers
Crisp and bright, our 2021 dry Riesling is exploding with fruit aromas and flavors that are supported by a mineral base. Green apple, bergamot, hibiscus and passion fruit lift from the glass, while the flavors of lime zest, star fruit and quince provide its fruity taste. Clean and light, with a subtly sweet mineral finish, this Riesling is as striking as the Northern Michigan vineyards from which it came.
Composition
100% Riesling
Production Notes
The fruit was ripe and loaded with poly-phenols to contribute richness. All of this wine was fermented in neutral barrels and sur-lie aged for 12 months. We stirred the barrels monthly to help extract flavors from the lees (yeast).
Accolades
Silver Medal - Riesling Wine Competition, Beverage Testing Institute
Silver (87) - American Fine Wines Competition 2024
