“Nostrovia” is the English mispronunciation of the Russian word, "Na Zdorovie", meaning "cheers". Nostrovia is now used as English slang for “let's get drunk” and as a common drinking toast. And there is a lot to toast about with this wine.
According to McGregor's website, "Winery founders Bob & Marge McGregor are pioneers of growing vinifera wine grapes in the northeast. In the 1970s Bob was searching for red varieties that could not only withstand the often brutal winter climate of the Finger Lakes, but were also disease resistant and able to consistently produce quality wine. In 1978, Dr. John McGrew of USDA in Beltsville, Maryland gave Bob scion wood of a number of grape varieties originally imported from Leningrad by Dr. Konstantin Frank in the late 1950s. Two of the varieties, Saperavi and Sereksiya Charni are what are now collectively known as “Black Russian Red.” We began planting these vines in the spring of 1980.
"Saperavi is an ancient wine making grape (vitis vinifera) that is primarily grown and produced in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia. Georgians make a variety of Saperavi styles, ranging from wines meant to consume young to wine that matures for 50 or more years in the bottle.
"There are only a few vineyards growing Saperavi in the United States, and until somewhat recently McGregor Vineyard was the only winery among them to produce this variety into a commercially sold wine. McGregor Vineyard has enjoyed a lot of success with this grape, and a handful of other Finger Lakes wineries are now themselves working with Saperavi. In recent years Saperavi has trended globally, being called "the black wine" by fans.
"The Sereksiya Charni grape (vitis vinifera) is even more unusual than Saperavi and is grown around the Black and Caspian Seas in Ukraine, Armenia, and Romania. As far as we know we are the only producers of a wine from this variety in the Western Hemisphere.
"Each of these varieties was produced and sold individually by McGregor Vineyard in the 1980s. However, Bob McGregor recognized that blending them together might produce an even more interesting wine than what they expressed individually. He was much happier with this new blend, and 1991 saw the very first vintage of Black Russian Red. Fewer than 100 cases were produced, which quickly sold out. The 1991 vintage is continuing to develop and even today remains a truly exquisite wine."
Saperavi literarily mean in Georgian, "paint, dye" which is said to come from its intensive dark-red color. Saperavi red wine has been produced since 1886. Saperavi grapes produce substantial deep red wines that are suitable for extended aging (perhaps up to fifty years). Saperavi is a hardy variety, known for its ability to handle extremely cold weather; and is popular for growing in high altitude and inland regions. Saperavi wines have won numerous international wine competitions.
"The less common Sereksiya Charni (sereksiya chernaya) of Moldovan and Romanian origin, is grown throughout the Caucasus and Balkans. It makes for red wines typified by deep color, high acidity and a prominent fruity element," wrote Arthur Z. Przebinda for Palate Press.
For the Black Russian Red 2012, McGregor's notes say: "Two separate parcels of estate grown Saperavi and Sereksiya Charni are blended together in this vintage of Black Russian Red. A total of 2.51 tons of fruit were harvested from the first parcel on September 27, 2012. These grapes had 23 brix natural sugar, 1.05 TA and 3.21 pH. They were crushed, inoculated with yeast and fermented for eight days at 68-80 degrees and went through complete malolactic fermentation. In the second parcel, 2.68 tons of grapes were harvested by hand on October 8, 2012.
"These grapes had 24.4 brix natural sugar, 0.98 TA and 3.26 pH. They were then crushed, inoculated with a different yeast strain from that used with the first parcel and fermented for 10 days at 68-82 degrees. This also went through complete malolactic fermentation. The two wines were blended together and transferred into eight new American oak barrels and six neutral American oak barrels. The wine was aged for 30 months then transferred to stainless steel where it was egg white fined, cold stabilized and then filtered. It was bottled on July 22, 2015. The finished wine has 0.72 TA, 3.58 pH, 0.5% residual sugar and 13% alcohol. 227 cases were produced.
Says winemaker John McGregor, "I cannot say enough good things about this vintage. It’s truly outstanding! The wine, as expected, is dark and gorgeous in the glass. Aromas of ripe blackberry, sweet coconut and black tea rise from the glass and are also present on the palate. There are also suggestions of elderberry, cranberry and black currant but the fruit is currently still hiding a bit in the background. The wine is soft, rich and palate filling and the smooth tannins create a very long lingering finish. This wine has a great future ahead of it, but is incredibly approachable right now, let the wine breathe for at least a few hours prior to enjoying. Easily enjoyable now through 2022."
McGregor Black Russian Red 2012 exhibited dark cassis, the elderberry, and cranberry all come through as John promised in this deep purple elixir. There was also damson plum and a hint of prune. The fruit was big and powerful up front. The mouthfeel was big, and surprisingly smooth. There's a nice balance of tannins and fruit. There was also great complexity. The wine was a delicious as it was chewy. The wine was spectacular. John said it would be good to 2022? It's 2020 and it's still peaking!
Fantastic wine, John!