Today we share one of the stars of Washington wine. I have long admired these wines and the brilliant vision of Allen Shoup, former CEO of Chateau Ste. Michelle. Long Shadows has made their name by crafting outstanding red wines with a superstar cast of winemaking talent that spans the globe. I have tasted at Long Shadows for well over a decade and year in, year out, they are one of the most consistently good producers of Washington red wine. Their wines age marvelously as well. Over the past year I have had a chance to try a few absolutely epic bottles of their ‘Pedestal’ Merlot, made by famed enologist Michel Rolland. Their 2012 bottling of ‘Pedestal’ was tried recently which is absolutely singing.
I recently had the chance to review the new Long Shadows releases and was once again blown away with their consistency, showing a beginning, middle and an end. The 2017 Long Shadows ‘Sequel’ Syrah (WWB, 95) is dense, chewy and downright delicious with its texture and weight. Even better was the incredible 2016 Long Shadows ‘Pedestal’ Red Wine (WWB, 96) which rivals any Washington Merlot out there. This dense wine has a massive cellaring potential but is pillowy and nearly impossible to resist right now. Learn more about this amazing winery at http://www.longshadows.com/ Here are the amazing new release wines from Long Shadows.
2018 Long Shadows ‘Poet’s Leap’ Riesling-Long Shadows has long been producing one of the best Rieslings made in the Pacific Northwest. This new edition from the warm 2018 vintage has an exceedingly small trace of residual sugar (1.20g/ML). The freshness imparted is downright awesome, as is silky texture. Layers of green apple and wet stone collide with the great degree of mouth-watering acidity. Just an infant at this stage, the 2018 ‘Poet’s Leap’ Riesling will have another decade of life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2027- 93
2017 Long Shadows ‘Sequel’ Syrah- One of the famed Syrah wines of Washington crafted by famed Aussie winemaker, John Duval, the 2017 ‘Sequel’ is another gorgeous bottling by Long Shadows. John Duval first made this wine in 2003 and the wine has been a massive success ever since. The Syrah was sourced from a warm vintage that saw few major heat spikes and had cooler conditions at harvest. Aged for 18 months in all French oak barrels (60% new) the wine arrives with a massively inky, glass-staining core. Layers of black fruits, dark chocolate covered espresso bean, smoked brisket aromatics and a dusting of white pepper all mingle in the glass. The plush texture offers an err of decadence. Not only showing great weight, the wine has a great acid backbone that collides with the rich core of dark fruits, chocolate cake, sagebrush and smoky tones. If offered a glass of this balanced, yet hedonistic dense wine, how could you resist? Drink 2020-2030- 95
2016 Long Shadows ‘Pedestal’ Red Wine- The 2016 ‘Pedestal’ is a monumental effort from this famed Walla Walla house. A blend of 75% Merlot with 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot, this was aged in 85% new French oak barrels for 22 months before bottling. The nose is hedonistic and gratifying with layers of toasty oak that wrap around the core of kirsch cordial, chocolate covered espresso bean and tobacco leaf tones that all meld in the glass. The mouthfeel is both pillowy and voluptuous as this effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. Chocolate covered cherries, pipe tobacco and Turkish coffee flavors mingle with garrigue and creosote undertones on this complex palate. The generous length adds to the enjoyment. While enchanting to savor in its youth, the 2016 Long Shadows ‘Pedestal’ has another two decades of life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2038- 96
2016 Long Shadows ‘Chester Kidder’ Red Wine- The 2016 ‘Chester Kidder’ is a downright awesome wine made by superstar winemaker Gilles Nicault. A blend of 58% Cabernet with Sauvignon 30% Syrah and 12% Petit Verdot, the herbal undertones really impress here, as green bell pepper, sagebrush and dark chocolate shavings emerge aromatically alongside the core of rich dark fruits. The palate is well-balanced and rich with its soft mouthfeel. Green bell pepper, dried herbs, blackberry cordial and coffee grounds all sing in unison on the palate. With great length and persistence, this outstanding wine will provide drinking enjoyment for another fifteen years. Drink 2020-2035- 94
2017 Long Shadows ‘Pirouette’ Red Wine- The 2017 Long Shadows ‘Pirouette’ is a gorgeous new bottling by famed winemaking consultant Philippe Melka. A complex blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot with smaller portions Malbec and Petit Verdot, the wine opens with heady dark currants woven together with toasty oak, espresso bean and shades of green bell pepper and blueberry compote that contribute to the hedonistic bouquet. The palate is rich and decadent, with a decadent mouthfeel. Beautifully textured, this displays layers of rich chocolate covered dark cherries that dance with minerals, scorched earth, sagebrush and black licorice candy. This finishes exceedingly long. Gratifying to savor in its youth, the 2017 Long Shadows ‘Pirouette’ has a long way to go. Drink 2020-2040- 95