L. Mawby Vineyards,
Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan, USA

 

Larry Mawby makes only sparkling wines, in two groups: methode champenoise wines under the L. Mawby label, and cuve close method wines under the M. Lawrence label.

The grapes for the L. Mawby wines come from the Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan.
There is no geographical restriction whatsoever on the M. Lawrence wines, which he says "are produced from grapes grown on planet earth - no alien grapes permitted!"
 

L. Mawby Blanc de Blanc Brut, 12%
Cuvée 58, en tirage March 2002; degorgement October 2002; 2940 bottles produced. The Blanc de Blanc is Mawby's most delicate traditional method sparkling wine. It's a multi-vintage blend produced from chardonnay (85%) and pinot gris (15%). The grapes are hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed. This cuvée gets only the initial, gently pressed juice (the harder pressed juice, which contains more phenols, tannins and acids, is reserved for table wine). After fermentation, the wines are blended with older, reserve wines before undergoing secondary fermentation in bottle, and then aged en tirage before disgorging. Retails ex cave at US$18.
A fairly crisp nose. Round and clean and fresh. More pinot gris body is evident on the finish and after. Very Good. 86/100
 

L. Mawby Cremant Brut, 12%
Cuvée 47, en tirage June 2000; degorgement October 2002; 2940 bottles produced.
Larry Mawby regards this as the biggest, most full-bodied sparkling wine he makes. Again a multi-vintage blend, produced from 100% Vignoles grapes grown on the estate. The winemaking is the same as for the Blanc de Blanc, except that most of the first fermentation takes place in barrels. Retails ex cave at US$22.
A creamy, spicy nose somewhat reminiscent of pinot gris. Clean and fresh on the palate and quite nutty. A bit dull. 83/100
 

L.Mawby Talismøn Brut, 12%
Cuvée 36, en tirage March 1999; degorgement April 2000; 2940 bottles produced.
According to Larry Mawby, this is the most elegant méthode champenoise he produces. It is field and solera blend of pinot noir, chardonnay, vignoles and pinot gris, hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed. After gentle pressing, the juice is blended with their reserve wine solera (which contains wine from the Talismøn vineyard from each vintage since 1992) and then fermented in barrels and puncheons. The wine then undergoes secondary fermentation in bottle and is aged en tirage for at least 24 months before disgorgement. Retails ex cave at US$27.
A much more interesting nose with stone fruit and tropical fruit. Crisp, clean and very well balanced. Fairly simple flavours on the attack, but it develops well in the mouth and it's quite an interesting blend, with good fruit. Rather nice finish. A definite step up from the first two wines. 89/100
 

M. Lawrence “US” Brut, 12%
With an unashamedly patriotic name, this is Larry Mawby's brut sparkling wine made by the cuve close method under the M. Lawrence label. 2212 bottles were produced of this blend of 85% pinot noir and 15% chardonnay. The young wines are blended with older, reserve wines before being fermented in the cuve close method. Retails ex cave at US$12.
Delicious nose. Very fruity palate. Clean acidity. A good wine. 86
 

M. Lawrence “SEX” Brut Rosé, 12%
Another marketing-friendly name, SEX is the sparkling rosé from L. Mawby vineyards, sold under the M. Lawrence label. A blend of 85% pinot noir and 15% chardonnay, the young wines are again blended with older reserve wines, in this case deeply coloured red wines to give the colour, before fermentation by cuve close. 2212 bottles produced. Retails ex cave at US$14.
A very light salmon pink. Creamy nose. Very interesting fruit on the palate initially, but then the wine hardens and ends up a bit tough and harsh on the finish. 81
 

M. Lawrence “FIZZ” Demi Sec, 12%
FIZZ, sold under the M. Lawrence label, is Larry Mawby's sweetest, fruitiest sparkling wine. The blend is the same as the “US”, but with a higher dosage (3.5% residual sugar, as opposed to 1.2% in “US”.
A rather dull nose. Much sweeter and a bit fruitier, but still enough acidity to keep it clean. Good. 85
 

(18/5/05)


Back to Andrew Stevenson's web page

andrew@andrewstevenson.com

Last updated: 15 December 2005