Shady Lane Cellars Brut 2000

A Michigan Brut produced in the classic style of Champagne, rich and toasty on the palate with a fine, delicate mousse.

In the late 1980s, Grand Rapids, Michigan neurosurgeon Joe O'Donnell teamed with his fishing and hunting pal Bill Stouten, a Michigan real estate broker. Together, they purchased a century-old fruit farm outside Suttons Bay in the Leelanau Peninsula AVA.An appreciation for wine and its connection to specific land prompted the farm retrofit to wine grapegrowing. Michigan's rapidly advancing wine industry was an additional factor of encouragement that gave birth to Shady Lane Cellars.Today (and since 2000), winemaker Adam Satchwell, brings decades of experience to Shady read more...Lane. In addition to his California studies in enology and viticulture, Satchwell apprenticed with his winemaker uncle, Jed Steele, now proprietor of Steele Wines in Kelseyville, California. In 2000, Satchwell crafted 200 cases of this <i>méthode champenoise</i> copper-colored Shady Lane Brut from estate-grown Pinot Noir (76 percent) and the balance Chardonnay. Marked by a tiny, steady bead and gentle mousse, with aromas of brioche and cherries, a toasty lees character is supported by ripe apple and citrus flavors.With a full palate and good length, the 2000 Shady Lane Brut will win the heart of a Valentine, especially when it accompanies authentic French onion soup!    (hide)

October 2008

In the late 1980s, Grand Rapids, Michigan neurosurgeon Joe O'Donnell teamed with his fishing and hunting pal Bill Stouten, a Michigan real estate broker. Together, they purchased a century-old fruit farm outside Suttons Bay in the Leelanau Peninsula AVA. An appreciation for wine and its connection to specific land prompted the farm retrofit to wine grapegrowing. Michigan's rapidly advancing wine industry was an additional factor of encouragement that gave birth to Shady Lane Cellars. Today (and since 2000), winemaker Adam Satchwell, brings decades of experience to Shady read more...Lane. In addition to his California studies in enology and viticulture, Satchwell apprenticed with his winemaker uncle, Jed Steele, now proprietor of Steele Wines in Kelseyville, California. In 2000, Satchwell crafted 200 cases of this <i>méthode champenoise</i> copper-colored Shady Lane Brut from estate-grown Pinot Noir (76 percent) and the balance Chardonnay. Marked by a tiny, steady bead and gentle mousse, with aromas of brioche and cherries, a toasty lees character is supported by ripe apple and citrus flavors. With a full palate and good length, the 2000 Shady Lane Brut will win the heart of a Valentine, especially when it accompanies authentic French onion soup!    (hide)

Rating: Silver - As reviewed by Tasters Guild International on 5/1/2007