With Rose season approaching, Washington is gaining a very strong national reputation for Rose wine and has proven that you don’t need to break the bank for a wine that shows both poise and elegance. Long Shadows has been making their Julia’s Dazzle for many years now. I have found this wine to be the most consistently excellent Rose wines out of Washington.
Made from the talented hands of superstar winemaker Gilles Nicault, the Julia’s Dazzle is composed of 100% Pinot Gris and is sourced from one of the great vineyards in Washington for that varietal — The Benches Vineyard, in the Horse Heaven Hills. Gilles has an impressive resume, joining Woodward Canyon in 1996, where he stayed until moving to Long Shadows in June 2003. Learning from eminent Washington winemaker Rick Small, Gilles was later named head of enology and production at Woodward Canyon. He has a passion for making world class Rose wine and his resultant 2016 ‘Julia’s Dazzle’ Rose wine brings a rich mouthfeel, wonderful texture and ‘dazzling’ minerality. I have included my last three reviews of this wine — all of which I have rated 92 points or higher. There is not another Rose wine in Washington that I have consistently reviewed that high —regardless of vintage. Learn more about this great wine and other Long Shadows bottling at http://longshadows.com
2016 Long Shadows 'Julia's Dazzle' Rose- The 2016 'Julia's Dazzle' Rose is a 100% Pinot Gris wine which is named after the founder's granddaughter, Julia. This Rose is sourced from a unique block from The Benches Vineyard at Wallula in Horse Heaven Hills. This exciting Rose wine opens with aromatics of rose petals, red cherry starburst, guava and lemon blossom. There is lovely texture and mid-palate weight with flavors of guava, pomegranate, ripe strawberry and honeydew melon. This has wonderful poise and intensity, as Long Shadows continues to impress with another gorgeous release of the Dazzle by the skilled hands of superstar winemaker Gilles Nicault. Drink 2017-2022- 92
2015 Long Shadows ‘Julia’s Dazzle’ Rose- Established in 1997, The Benches vineyard (formerly Wallula Vineyards) was formed by a group of Long Shadows investors. The Benches are located 20 minutes southeast of Pasco on the Washington side of the Columbia River. Winemaker Gilles Nicault heads this project. This fantastic value Rose is named after the founder's granddaughter. While a slight touch behind the last vintage in terms of richness and brightness, this is a tremendous effort from this vintage that saw serious heat spikes. Composed of just 1% Sangiovese alongside the rest Pinot Gris. This wine has rose petals, strawberry and guava puree on the nose. The palate has Gala apple, red raspberry, guava and fresh picked strawberries with a light cream finish alongside a lovely minerality. Drink 2016-2021- 92
2014 Long Shadows ‘Julia’s Dazzle’ Rose- The 2014 Long Shadows 'Julia’s Dazzle' is a gorgeous Rosé, composed of Pinot Grigio with a splash of Sangiovese. The nose possesses beautiful fresh aromas of strawberry, guava and white peach, which burst from the glass. On the palate this has vibrant acidity and wonderful minerality. The finish is marked by feminine notes of strawberry, guava, pear. Drink 2015-2017- 93