WTN: Shinn Estate Vineyards ‘Red’ (North Fork)
Long Island, admittedly, doesn’t offer many red wine values under $20. So when I tasted Shinn Estate Vineyards’ latest non-vintage labeled ‘Red’ table wine, which is $15, I had high hopes. Would this be a wine I could tell people about when they want an every day-priced red?
Yes…and no. I really liked the Red from a couple years ago, but this one, which is actually made from grapes grown in 2006, isn’t quite as good despite its redeeming qualities. The previous bottling was 75% merlot and 25% cabernet sauvignon, so this is quite different, made with 99% merlot and 1% petit verdot.
A medium-light cherry red in the glass, it offers cherry and red raspberry fruit aromas on the nose with subtle black pepper—from that petit verdot no doubt—and just a little earthiness.
No where near as flavorful as it is aromatic, it is light bodied, juicy and a little limp with simple red fruit flavors and just a little pepperiness. A little more body would really help here I think.
Probably best over the next year or so, it features low tannins and just might take slight chill well. Served that way, it might be terrific with burgers or barbecued chicken.
Grape(s): 99% merlot, 1% petit verdo
Producer: Shinn Estate Vineyards
AVA: North Fork of Long Island
Price: $15
Rating: (2 out of 5 | Average)
(About LENNDEVOURS Ratings)
I’m surprised Lenn. I found this to be one of the finest offerings in LI Red wine. Especially at it’s price. IMO it’s an actual LI QPR wine! Not many of those.
And it’s funny, after I had this, I actually said… “I hope Lenn tries this”
I’m not saying that it’s not one of the better 15-buck wines here (there are better though!)
I liked the previous release quite a bit, though.
Different palates for different people my friend!
It’s also worth noting that I tasted all of Shinn’s reds blind with some other NF reds…compared to their 05 Wild Board Doe or Cab Franc…this just wasn’t ‘it’ for me.
Totally agree Lenn… “Different palates…”. I guess what it is, and as somebody mentioned in another post, I think we have receptors in or brain that are attached to our wallet. I’m a huge Shinn fan. Love all of their wines. White and Red. The Wild Boar Doe and Cab Franc are both outstanding. But the Cab Franc is more than double the price of the Red. I think as I tasted the Red I said “This LI red wine is under $15???” I think that added to my enjoyment of it.