Billsboro 2009 Finger Lakes Pinot Noir

On a trip up to the Finger Lakes last summer, my mission was to visit wineries I haven't visited in the past.  Billsboro Winery was the first we stopped at after a wonderful lunch at the Belhurst Castle.

Billsboro Winery was purchased in 2007 by local winemaker Vincent Aliperti and his wife Kim.  Vincent has been in the wine industry for a while.  He began his career in winemaking on Long Island in 1997 at Wolffer Estate and moved to the Finger Lakes to work at Herman J. Wiemer Vineyards.  He spent one harvest there before moving across the lake to Atwater Estate Vineyards where he has been head winemaker and operations manager since 2003.  I've been to Atwater before so I was excited to taste the wines Vincent could truly call his own at Billsboro.

Aromas of strawberry, cedar and spice filled your nose with this 2009 Billsboro Finger Lakes Pinot Noir.  There was a little smoke in the distance on the nose. I found hints of allspice on the palate with strong cherry throughout.  There were soft tannins and some earthy qualities that rounded out the wine.

There were 117 cases of this wine produced.   The grapes were sourced from Sawmill Creek Vinayards and Leidenfrost Vineyards.  The wine sells for $18 bottle.

This Pinot paired very well with a turkey pasta casserole I made with leftover turkey, sausage and rice stuffing, gravy and a little wine.