I’ve been tough on the Wine Specator in the past (and I’ll likely continue to do so) but maybe they are coming around to Long Island wines. One can certainly hope, can’t he?

Cellarette beat me to the punch, but it appears that the September issue of the magazine rates Bedell Cellars’ 2005 Musee a 90 on their 100-point scale. The review itself says:

This juicy red delivers cherry, cranberry and smoke flavors backed by
gentle tannins. It’s full but plush, with lively acidity and a spicy
finish. Generous and vivacious. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit
Verdot. Drink now through 2010. 400 cases made. –TM

Obviously a 90-point score is quite a win for Bedell Cellars and those trying to sell this wine. Congratulations to the folks at Bedell.

It’s also a big deal for a region that hasn’t seen many WS 90s over the years (though I think as more 2005s come to market we’ll see scores that equal and better this one).

I noticed a week or two ago that Bedell has increased the published price on this wine from $65 to $75, which says to me that they knew this score was coming and hope to reap the benefits, which is absolutely what they should do. With only 400 cases, and much of that probably already sold, this wine might be difficult to find very soon.

I reviewed this wine back in early April, and I gave it a 3.5 (which works out to an 88-89 if you want to convert to the 100-point scale.) It’s still such a young wine. I think it’s best days are ahead. I think it will last beyond 2010. At least I hope so. Do people buy a lot of $75 wine that they have do drink within a year or two?

I know that many of my readers have tasted this wine. Share your thoughts in the comments. And, what other Long Island reds do you think warrant a 90+ point breakthrough?