Pellegrini Vineyards 2007 Reserve ($70) offers aromas of toasty oak, plum, prune and black cherry with hints of earthy, woodsy spice and vanilla.

Full bodied and showing a bit of alcohol, the palate is ripe and concentrated, showing plum, blackberry and cherry flavors that are somewhat dominated by nutty oak. On days two and three, a bit of earthiness and spice crept forward, perhaps pointing to improvement in the future.

For now, this wine isn’t nearly as good as the 2005 edition and is ultimately not a great value.

Producer: Pellegrini Vineyards
AVA: North Fork of Long Island
Grapes: 41% merlot, 35% cabernet sauvignon, 14% petite verdot, 10% cabernet franc
ABV: 13.9%
Price: $70*

(3 out of 5, Very good/Recommended)

2007, featured, pellegrini vineyards, red blend, Review