McGregor Vineyards Black Russian Red

Bill Dowd photo

No, this isn't a variation on the Black Russian cocktail. It's a superb red blend from New York's Finger Lakes region.

• McGregor Vineyards Black Russian Red

We're about due for the latest vintage of McGregor’s acclaimed Black Russian Red, but it will be difficult to top the 2004 edition, much sought-after and sold-out (only 150 cases were made). The 2005 vintage also is quite good.

The iconic wine is the only such blend made in America, an unusual joining of two European grape varietals: Sereksiya Charni, traditionally grown in Romania but grown exclusively in the U.S. by McGregor, and Saperavi, an ancient wine grape originating in the republic of Georgia.

The hand-harvested grapes are fermented and aged for nearly two years in American oak barrels, resulting in a complex dry red, with notes of numerous berries, black cherry and the oak, tannic and dry.

The 2005 vintage retails for about $60.

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