For many years now Gilles Nicault has been crafting some of the finest wines in Washington State He made great wines in 2020 and has followed with some epic new releasees. Long Shadows began by visionary and Washington wine pioneer Allen Shoup. Shoup is a founding father of the Washington wine industry. He spent 20 years building Château Ste. Michelle and its affiliate wineries, serving as the company's CEO for 17 of those years before establishing Long Shadows in 2002. He had an incredible vision for Long Shadows and built a world-class wine brand from the ground up. The Nine Hats brand that he founded is consistently one of the better value lineups that you will find in Pacific Northwest wine. Long Shadows has an epicurean tasting at their Woodinville tasting room that is arguably the finest food pairing for great wine that you will taste at any Pacific Northwest winery (https://longshadows.com/visit-taste). Having done this now several times, you are going to be blown away with this tasting experience.
I adored the new 2024 Long Shadows ‘Poet’s Leap’ Riesling (OB, 94) which is arguably the finest release in Washington. Learn more about these famed wines at longshadows.com and here are my reviews of the beautiful new Long Shadows wines.
2024 Long Shadows ‘Poet’s Leap’ Riesling- The 2024 ‘Poet’s Leap’ Riesling has a touch of DuBrul Vineyard blended in. Kerosene and shades of candied ginger and star jasmine water mark the nose alongside burnt orange and suggestions of cantaloupe. The palate is deep and rich with a terrific viscosity and tension. This is amongst the best editions of this wine that I have ever tasted. Drink 2025-2033- 94
2023 Long Shadows ‘Dance’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘Dance’ Chardonnay is a stunning new bottling by winemakers Gilles Nicault. Mainly coming from the White Bluffs AVA, this spent 17 months in French oak (mostly concrete and neutral oak) before bottling. This saw extensive battonage, as the wine opens with vanilla cream and cardamom dusted brioche alongside shades of mango and white peach. The palate is dense and unctuous with a terrific combination of mouthfeel and weight. Gorgeous now, and seamless throughout the drinking experience, watch this evolve over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 95
2021 Long Shadows ‘Pedestal’ Merlot- The 2021 ‘Pedestal’ has 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot blended in. The wine is largely coming from the Weinbau and StoneTree Vineyards. The heady aromatics bring you back to the glass for more enjoyment. Sandalwood and shades of black licorice combine with black rose petals. The palate is silky and refined as this offers serious weight and length. Gorgeous throughout the drinking experience, watch this evolve now and over the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2025-2040- 96
2021 Long Shadows ‘Pirouette’ Red Wine- The otherworldly 2021 Long Shadows ‘Pirouette’ Red Wine is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon with 36% Merlot and the remainder Malbec and Petit Verdot. Very dark in the glass, this offers alluring black florals on the nose wth tar, tobacco leaf, mocha, anise and shades of dark chocolate shavings. The stunning aromatics are simply head-turning. The palate is ultra-refined offering a seamless drinking experience. This is the finest edition of this wine that I have tasted since its inception back in 2003. Drink 2025-2045- 98
2021 Long Shadows ‘Sequel’ Syrah- 100% varietal, the 2021 ‘Sequel’ has roughly 33% whole cluster fermentation. Very performed and inky in the glass, this offers violets, tar, sweet pipe tobacco and shades of smoked pork shoulder, with iodine and oyster sauce doused beef dripping undertones. The palate is seamless throughout the drinking experience, as this is just a joy to consume right now. Fresh and viscous, with amazing mid-palate volume and concentration, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. I have reviewed every vintage of this wine. A total masterclass in crating a quintessential Washington Syrah, this is arguably the finest edition of this wine since it was first made back in 2003. Drink 2025-2040- 96
2022 Long Shadows ‘Feather’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A stunning wine from 2022, the Long Shadows ‘Feather’ comes from Sonnet Vineyard as well as Bacchus and Dionysus Vineyards. This cool vintage beauty really needs several hours in the decanter to be fully evolved right now. On the nose this takes on bay leaf and red bell pepper alongside cassis and shades of black licorice. The palate is lush and dense with a terrific mouthfeel and smooth texture. Considering the coolness of the vintage, this has a beautiful combination of finesse, viscosity and flavor density. Drink 2025-2040- 95