April 2025 - Michigan Governor's Cup Competition

April 2025 - Michigan Governor's Cup Competition
This month's Wine feature is Michigan Governor's Cup Competition Wines

Michigan Governor's Cup Competition Reviews

White Pine NV Dune Shadow Red Blend Lake Michigan Shore
94 points
$17
Best Buy
Juicy and smooth with a touch of spice showing the exceptional potential of Michigan varietals; your go-to red for all things grilled.
Awards: '2025 Taste Michigan Governor's Cup - Best Hybrid Red Wine' 2025 Taste Michigan Governor's Cup - Governor's Case Winner
94 points $17 Best Buy
White Pine 2022 Reserve Cabernet Franc
94 points
$32
An artfully composed and balanced red blend with bright ripe fruit and judicious spicy, chocolate-y oak; this will be a fine sipper or compliment a lavish Middle Eastern meal.
Golden Muse Winery 2023 Nadar Chardonnay
94 points
$34
This voluptuous Chardonnay practically orders the lobster itself, layers of pineapple, apple pie spice and guava are complemented by just the right touch of oak.
Awards: '2025 Taste Michigan Governor's Cup - Best Vinifera White Wine' 2025 Taste Michigan Governor's Cup - Governor's Case Winner
Ciccone Vineyard And Winery 2023 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
93 points
$45
An excellent example of Michigan Cabernet with cool climate acidity and brightness elevating the ripe fruit followed by a delicate caress of creamy oak.
Pleasant Valley Farm and Vineyard 2022 Estate Cabernet Franc
92 points
$28
A stylish Cabernet Franc with enough vibrant fruit to fill the classy oak frame.
Ciccone Vineyard And Winery 2021 Estate Reserve Cabernet Franc
92 points
$35
A lovely dry and savory Cabernet Franc with dark brooding fruit and ample table appeal.
Two K Farms 2023 Hoppd Cider Apple
91 points
$17
Best Buy
IPA meets fruity cider in this frothy golden refresher teeming with notes of passion fruit, peach and pineapple sage.
91 points $17 Best Buy
White Pine 2021 Reserve Merlot
91 points
$32
A delicious and dimensional cool-climate Merlot with an attractive marriage of fruity, meaty, and creamy flavors.
Ciccone Vineyard And Winery 2022 LeeLaTage Estate Red Blend Leelanau Peninsula
91 points
$35
A wonderfully, juicy, spicy red blend that is a pleasure to drink now and has a long, bright future ahead of it.
Filkins Vineyards 2022 Anthos Red Blend Lake Michigan Shore
91 points
$50
A rich and delicious Old World styled red blend with a seamless balance and instant appeal.
OBrien Vineyards 2022 Burbank White Blend Other US White
90 points
$22
A delightfully refreshing Riesling-led white blend that will be a great choice for everything you want to do with a white wine.
OBrien Vineyards 2021 Verde Old Mission Peninsula
89 points
$23
A nicely blended sparkling with charming Riesling character and ample fruit.
Heronmark 2023  Marquette
88 points
$25
A well-made bold red wine for strong cheeses and barbecue ribs.
Heronmark 2023 Sparkling Vidal Blanc
88 points
$26
A toasty savory unfiltered, pet-nat-like sparkler that will be quite versatile as a sipper or pair with a wide variety of appetizers.
707 Winery 2023 Crimson Raven Red Blend Michigan
87 points
$50
Dry, juicy, smooth and fun, with a touch of Bourbon and baking spice, really showing off quality cool climate wine growing.
Ciccone Vineyard And Winery 2023 Estate Gewurztraminer
86 points
$25
A pleasant, easy drinking Gewurztraminer for salads and Sunday brunches.
Heronmark 2023  Petite Pearl
86 points
$25
Bold, dark and juicy red with silky tannins - a perfect foil for grilled smoky meats.
Heronmark 2023 Reserve Barrel 2 Marquette
86 points
$30
A bold red wine with a savory personality to pair with grilled meats.
White Pine 2023  Traminette
84 points
$17
Lots of musty notes mask the charming fruit in this wine unfortunately.
White Pine 2023 Pinot Grigio Pinot Grigio
83 points
$18
An earthy pinot grigio for appetizers and salads.
White Pine 2023 Reserve Riesling
83 points
$21
A sturdy Riesling sipper for everyday drinking.
Heronmark 2023  Cayuga White
83 points
$23
A very light bodied white wine for the table.
Heronmark 2023  Vidal Blanc
80 points
$24
An interesting wine with dried fruit and baked bread aromas.
Shortcut: https://www.tastings.com/Calendar-Wine/Review-2025-05-15-Michigan-Governors-Cup-Competition.aspx