Long Shadows
One of Washington’s premier wineries, Long Shadows is a project winery created by Allen Shoup, the former CEO of Chateau St. Michelle. Shoup’s project is a portfolio of wineries comprised of famed winemakers from the major wine regions of the world, who each create their wines using choice Columbia Valley fruit. Shoup poaches some of the best in the world, from John Duval of the famed Penfolds Grange project, to eminent California Cabernet producer Randy Dunn. The results are stunning. Here are the recent releases from Long Shadows
2014 Long Shadows Julia’s Dazzle- This is a Pinot Grigio rose with a splash of Sangiovese in there. Nose has strawberry, guava and white peach. Palate has vibrant minerality. Strawberry, guava, pear and a long finish. Up there with the best rose in the state. Drink now -93 (OB) (7/15)
2014 Poets Leap- Made famous by German winemaker Armin Diel. Pear and red delicious apple followed by gravel on the aromatic nose. Delicious and lovely mineralogy through the midpalate. Flavors of green apple, cantaloupe and green papaya. Lithe and expressive, one of the best made Washington Rieslings out there. This effort eclipses the 2012 and 13. Drink now. -93 (OB) (7/15)
2012 Long Shadows Pirouette-Comprised of 65% Cabernet, 16% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot and 7% Cabernet. The winemakers Agustin Huneeus and Philippe Melka are the winemakers on this esteemed wine. Nose has blackberry, black cherry and anise. Velvety palate has blackberry, red cherry, dill and raspberry. Delicious and open. Will be hard to cellar this thing, drink 2015-2022 -93 (OB) (7/15)
2012 Long Shadows Pedestal-Famed wine consultant Michel Rolland makes one of the best Washington Merlots in the country. Made of 81% Merlot with the rest Cab, Cab Franc and Petite Verdot. Nose has black cherry, dill and black olive. Rich and viscous wine with Flavors of mocha, black cherry, black olive and wonderful mouthfeel throughout. Delicious wine for a special occasion. Drinking incredibly now but will have a long life. Drink 2015-2030 -94 (OB) (7/15)
2012 Long Shadows Feather- This 100% Cabernet wine is made from esteemed winemaker Randy Dunn of Dunn Vineyards in Napa Valley. As this opens in the glass, it unleashes perfumed aromatics of fresh black cherry and dark fruits, as well as anise and oak in this intoxicating nose. Somewhat of a backwards wine, currently the palate is currently shut down with flavors of anise, black cherry, blackberry and moderate tannins and a brilliant acid backbone. Drink in 2017 until 2025, as this one needs time for the fruit to integrate and the tannins to mellow. The wine is reminiscent of the 2007 Feather, which took some time to be fully expressive. -94 (OB) (7/15)
2012 Long Shadows Chester-Kidder Red Wine- Winemaker Gilles Nicault changes his blend each year. This year he opted for 66% Cabernet with 23% Syrah and 11% Petit Verdot. Herbaceous aromatics on this wine with green bell pepper, black pepper, raspberry ganache and oak. Lush mouthfeel with flavors suggesting cassis, anise, black cherry and boysenberry. Prominent acidity suggests this can benefit from 1-2 years in the bottle. Drink 2017-2025. -93 (OB) (7/15)