Vin du Lac Winery, LEHM Riesling 2010, Lake Chelan, Washington
Vin du Lac winery sits perched above Lake Chelan in Washington State. This sliver of 10-year-old wine country in North-central WA puts out a handful of excellent Rieslings, Gewürztraminers and Cab Franc, amongst other varieties planted and currently being experimented with. Founder of Vin du Lac winery Larry Lehmbecker, a former lawyer (they always are), arrived with the very first wave of winemakers seeking to replicate the success of their Canadian cousins’ vineyards around Lake Okanagan. Larry decided to test the theory that great wine could be made from the sloping sites around Lake Chelan and the results are conclusive: yes.
Vin du Lac 2010 LEHM: The moderately aromatic nose for a Riesling belies the burst of tropical fruit salad that washes in on each sip. Waves of juicy acidity deliver additional doses of apple, apricot and tart-lemon. Bright and refreshing, this is a perfect afternoon wine to enjoy lakeside as we did. Our companion during this tasting, a Sonoma resident and marketing director for a well-known winery, bought a case to take home. Maybe that says something. Unfortunately, this wine isn’t available in the New York market. Visit the tasting patio and pick-up in person.
CHASING THE VINE 