It has been six months since I have had a chance to review the new Long Shadows wines. The new releases are now here and they are nothing short of blockbuster. I was particularly impressed with the 2012 wines that come from a near perfect vintage -- one that has received major acclaim from Wine Spectator (vintage report from Wine Spectator http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/47658…).
If you haven’t had the chance to visit Long Shadows, this is a great time because these new releases are stunners. It is also currently off-season for Woodinville, so there will likely be few people at the winery, especially if you go on Sunday or during the week.
Founded by Allen Shoup, former CEO of Chateau St. Michelle, Long Shadows Winery brings seven highly acclaimed vintners from the major wine regions of the world to Washington State, each as an owner-partner in a unique winery dedicated to producing Columbia Valley wines that showcase the best of this growing region. The winemakers are essentially some of the best in the world at showcasing each varietal. These are all special occasion wines and can be somewhat difficult to find, but you can grab them at the winery or specialty wine shops. Here are the impressive new releases from Long Shadows Winery.
2012 Sequel- Syrah wine, created by the famed winemaker John Duval. Has a smoky nose with cassis and is extremely perfumed. Palate is fat and viscous. Bacon fat, tar, blueberry, blackberry and a finish lingers for seemingly minutes. Open and expressive but this is a long ager. Don't drink this thing for at least two years. -95
2011 Chester Kidder- Made from 65% Cab, 28% Syrah, and 7% Petite Verdot. This saw 30 months in new French barrels. Herbaceous nose with oak and cassis. Palate has nice mouthfeel and viscosity. Blackberry, anise, mocha and moderately tannic. Needs 1-2 years of cellaring for the fruit to integrate. -92
2012 Pirouette- Comprised of 65% Cab 16% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot and 7% Cab Franc. Impressively perfumed nose with cassis, red bell pepper, blackberry and anise. Palate has incredible balance. You can taste all the working components of this wine. Creme de cassis, black cherry, blackberry, and vanilla. Needs 2 plus years. This is a blockbuster wine. -95
2012 Pedestal- Right bank Bordeaux blend with 81% merlot 5% Cab franc 9% Cab and 5% Petite Verdot. Nose is a bit shut down with smoke, roasted figs and oak. Palate has creme de cassis, black cherry, black olive, and mocha. Delicious but shut down for now. This is going to be a giant. Cellar for at least two years. -94
2012 Feather- This is their 100% Cabernet wine. Herbaceous nose with red bell pepper, white pepper and anise. Palate has incredible viscosity with blackberry, black olive, black cherry, and smoke. Delicious now but needs 2 plus years of cellaring. A sleeping giant. -94