Through the years, we’ve had the pleasure of tasting a number of Long Shadows wines. We’ve visited their production facility in Walla Walla, Washington, attended a winemaker’s dinner with Allen Shoup and John Duval, and had their wines in our monthly wine tasting dinners as well as private dinners. However, last month, we had an opportunity to taste through the most comprehensive set of Long Shadows wines in one setting that we’d ever tasted.

Founded by Washington wine pioneer Allen Shoup, Long Shadows Vintners is a collection of ultra-premium wineries comprised of internationally acclaimed winemakers from the major wine regions of the world. Each winemaker is a partner in a unique winery dedicated to producing a single Columbia Valley wine representing a “best of type” that reflects the winemaker’s signature style.

Allen Shoup, resident winemaker Gilles Nicault, Sequel Syrah winemaker John Duval, and Pirouette co-winemaker Philippe Melka were recently in Seattle at The Local Vine (our favorite local wine bar) pouring all of the wines in the Long Shadows portfolio, multiple vintages of many of them.

Poet’s Leap is a Riesling made by Armin Diel of Schlossgut Diel in Germany.

2008 Poet’s Leap Riesling (Columbia Valley): Light, fresh, citrus aromas and flavors, a good wine but not as good as some of the previous vintages. $20.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)

Chester-Kidder is a red blend made by founder Allen Shoup and resident winemaker Gilles Nicault.

2004 Chester-Kidder Red Wine (Columbia Valley): Gorgeous nose, bright vibrant fruits, black fruits, dark chocolate, leather, smooth, well-balanced, long finish.
Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: Not Available

2002 Chester-Kidder Red Wine (Columbia Valley): Has more Merlot than more recent vintages. Dark fruits, smooth, well-balanced, long finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: Not Available

2005 Chester-Kidder Red Wine (Columbia Valley): Black and red fruit aromas and flavors, oaky, jammy, a bit candied. $50.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 1 bang for your buck (out of 5)

2003 Chester-Kidder Red Wine (Columbia Valley): Not as well-balanced as the others, some heat on the back end.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: Not Available

Feather is a Cabernet Sauvignon made by Napa Valley vintner, Randy Dunn.

2006 Feather Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley): Beautiful nose, good fruit up front, black fruits, smoky. $60.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 2 bangs for your buck (out of 5)

Pedestal is a Merlot made by French vintner and world famous wine consultant, Michel Rolland.

2006 Pedestal Merlot (Columbia Valley): Fruit-forward, baker’s chocolate, medium to high tannins, bitter finish. $55.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 1 bang for your buck (out of 5)

Pirouette is a red blend made by Napa Valley vintners, Agustin Huneeus of Quintessa and Philippe Melka of Melka Wines.

2005 Pirouette Red Wine (Columbia Valley): Gorgeous nose, black fruits, black cherry, leather, big, bold, smooth, medium to high tannins, well-balanced, long finish. $55.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 2 bangs for your buck (out of 5)

2003 Pirouette Red Wine (Columbia Valley): The first release, dark fruits, oak, smooth, well-balanced.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: Not Available

2004 Pirouette Red Wine (Columbia Valley): Black fruits, dark chocolate, bold yet smooth.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: Not Available

2006 Pirouette Red Wine (Columbia Valley): Beautiful nose, dark fruits, smoke, a bit hot on the back end, slightly off balance. $55.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 1 bang for your buck (out of 5)

Saggi is a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, made by Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari, a father-son winemaking team from Italy.

2006 Saggi Red Wine (Columbia Valley): Good fruit up front, red fruits, smoke, a bit hot on the back end, slightly off balance. $45.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 1 bang for your buck (out of 5)

Sequel is a Syrah made by John Duval, one of the most famous winemakers in Australia and around the world. He is best known for his work with Penfolds Grange, Australia’s most famous wine, and now owns his own John Duval Wines.

2005 Sequel Syrah (Columbia Valley): Gorgeous nose, black licorice, black fruits, spice, black pepper, a hint of coffee, smooth, well-balanced, long finish, outstanding.
Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: Not Available

2003 Sequel Syrah (Columbia Valley): Gorgeous nose, black fruits, black pepper, smooth, well-balanced, long finish, aging well, another outstanding wine.
Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: Not Available

2006 Sequel Syrah (Columbia Valley): Fruit-forward, black fruits, smoke, black pepper, spice, smooth, well-balanced, long finish. $55.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 2 bangs for your buck (out of 5)

2004 Sequel Syrah (Columbia Valley): Lots of bright fruits, jammy, long finish, another good wine.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: Not Available

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