Markko Johannisberg Riesling Library Reserve

Wine, Browns and my 55th Birthday (My Home) : I assume this is the same as the regular batch, but this did not seem quite as fresh. Still quite good, and maybe it is just in a different place. Light gold in color. The nose is clean with very nice with minerals, slight citrus. On the palate, it is very tart. Long finish. Starting to develop a complexity. Still a Riesling that can compete on the world stage (07 was …

In Vino Veritas Session 3 (MIT) : Disappointed by this effort, especially considering how amazing their Riesling is. V. oaky nose - buttered poached pear, a touch winey. Quite vibrant on the palate - a fair amount of acid, a little alcohol (surprising, considering this is only 11.5%), plenty of oak (2 years in French, 1/3 new). Intense and tasty, but lacking character - I can get this for $15 in California. 96 cases. 11.5%, $36.

Again, this wine impresses me. Well balanced, with slight toasted oak and just enough fruit to bring everything together. Crisp and refreshing, yet it drinks with more complexity than I initially expected. I continue to be surprised this came from Ohio.

Very nice Ohio wine. Crisp, clean and refreshing. A good amount of acid for a chardonnay. Really enjoyed this one as it had a light aspect yet would pair well with food.

This is a superior effort from one of the very serious winemakers and growers currently emerging in the Lake Erie Region. Grown entirely in the Conneaut Creek appellation, the 2007 Chardonnay was able to hang some extra time. Oak aging then added nose, color and a wonderful caramel vanilla note, making it a reminder of old style burgundies, or the way they used to make fine Chardonnays in California before the "citrus craze" caught on. While the wine is only …