By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief
Don't let Vinny Aliperti, co-owner and winemaker at Billsboro Winery, fool you with his humble, laid back personality. He makes serious wines, both at Billsboro and at his 'day job' as winemaker at Atwater Estate Vineyards.
Maybe its that laid-back personality that somehow keeps him and his wines just under the radar, but his are wines worth drinking and keeping an eye on.
Of the half dozen 2007 Finger Lakes pinot noirs that I tasted recently, none showed a balance of fruit, oak, tannin and acid the that his Billsboro Winery 2007 Pinot Noir ($22) did.
This light ruby red pinot has aromas of craberry and bing cherry fruit with delicate earthiness and a faint note of Werther's Original candy.
Lithe, lively and supple all at once, the palate showcases straightforward, ripe red berry fruit flavors from the hot 2007 vintage with a little tart cherry and earthy herb in the mix.
Like I mentioned already, the balance is impressive, with food-ready acidity and medium tannins shaping all that red fruit and then stepping back just a little on the medium finish, where an earthy spice component peeks through.
I don't have a lot of experience aging Finger Lakes pinot, but I'd think short-term cellaring would be rewarded with this wine.
Producer: Billsboro Winery
AVA: Finger Lakes
ABV: 12.5%
Price: $22*
Rating: 
(3 out of 5 | Recommended)