I love when I taste a Long Island red with complexity and substance… especially when I find out later that it’s only $16 at the winery (and no-doubt available for under $15 at shops).
One such wine his Jamesport Vineyards’ East End Series Cinq. It’s a kitchen sink blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, syrah and pinot noir that surprisingly doesn’t taste like a bunch of leftovers thrown together.
Medium crimson red in the glass, there are nice, fairly effusive aromas of black cherry preserves, blackberries, black pepper spice and even a subtle smoked meat component that is interesting.
Medium bodied with soft tannins and just a little acidity the flavors are very similar to the nose with maybe a bit more smoke and oak apparent.
It’s not a mind-blowing wine. It’s not going to set the world ablaze or knock you over the head… but that’s a good thing. This is a good every day local red.
Producer: Jamesport Vineyards
AVA: North Fork of Long Island
Price: $16
Rating: 
(3 out of 5 | Recommended)