Long Shadows Pirouette Meritage is made from 68% Cabernet Sauvignon 15% Merlot 8% Petit Verdot 6% Cabernet Franc 3% Malbec
Philippe Melka, named one of the top nine winemakers in the world by Robert Parker, used small lots from Washington State's finest vineyards to craft this enticing red blend.
Like the last several growing seasons, 2016 was another hot year that required extra care in the vineyards. Building on the success of our canopy managment program over the last few vintages, we worked with growers throughout the season to encourage growth of the canes and outside foliage to protect against the sun while opening up the fruit zone for even maturation. Warm temperatures in the fall hastened ripening, but the Columbia Valley's cool autumn nights protected the grapes' acidity, yielding bright, vibrant wines that will drink well in their youth but also promise to bring enjoyement to those who cellar.
A variety of fermentation methods were used to enhance complexity and richness in this classic Bordeaux blend. Hand-harvested Cabernet was fermented in 400L French oak barrels that were gently rolled throughout fermentation to integrate the oak with refined, dark fruit flavors and give the wine its silky mouthfeel. All other varieties were fermented in traditional stainless steel tanks, with select lots enjoying longer skin contact to enhance the wine's dark color and mid-palate. The finished wine was aged 22 months in French oak barrels (75% new) before bottling unfiltered and unfined.
Review:
"The 2016 Pirouette is made by Philippe Melka and it's a total blockbuster based on 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and the palate Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec that was fermented in barrel and aged 22 months in 75% new oak. Crème de cassis, blackberries, toasted spices, cedar, and forest floor notes all emerge from this deep, rich, opulent red that has sweet tannins, a thrilling texture, no hard edges, and a monster finish. This is another best-to-date from this estate and it's an awesome wine." -Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
Long Shadows Sequel Syrah is made from 95% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
An intensely colored wine with spicy aromas of cassis, smoked meats and a hint of olive tapenade woven throughout layers of black currant, blueberry and a trace of licorice. Wonderfully balanced, with a broad mouth-feel and soft tannins that hold together seamlessly.
Winemaking: Syrah’s delicate skin requires gentle handling during fermentation to extract richness without imparting bitter tannins, so winemaker John Duval uses a variety of techniques to produce a wide spectrum of flavors. A portion of the grapes were fermented using an Australian method known as “rack and return” that requires draining the tank twice daily and gently putting the juice back over the top of the skins. Whole-cluster fermentation was also used to enhance richness and dimension on the palate. Lastly, some of the lots underwent submerged cap fermentation to add structure and enhance the mouthfeel of the finished wine. Aged 18 months in 100% French oak barrels, 65% new.
Review:
Loads of black fruits, smoked game, liquid violets, and cracked pepper notes emerge from the 2018 Syrah Sequel, which has gorgeous Syrah wildness and gaminess, full-bodied richness, a pure, elegant, seamless texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. Count me impressed. You could safely put this up with the best Syrah coming out of Washington and California.
-Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
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The “Vintners Collection” gift boxes includes all six of Long Shadows’ acclaimed red wines packaged together in a beautifully branded wood box. Each of these wines were inspired and crafted by a world-renowned vintner to showcase the viticultural quality and caliber of Washington state’s Columbia Valley:
Pirouette: Philippe Melka (Vineyard 29, Lail, Hundred Acre) & Agustin Huneeus, Sr.(Quintessa)
Feather Cabernet Sauvignon: Randy Dunn (Dunn Vineyards)
Pedestal Merlot: Michel Rolland (International Wine Consultant)
Chester-Kidder: Allen Shoup (Chateau Ste. Michelle, CEO) & Gilles Nicault (Woodward Canyon)
Sequel Syrah: John Duval (Penfolds Grange, Plexus, Entity)
Saggi: Ambrogio & Giovanni Folonari (A & G Folonari Tenute, Tuscany)
Louis Roederer Cristal Vinotheque Edition Brut Millesime 1997 is made from Pinot noir (62%) and Chardonnay (38%).
Color
A bright and shimmering golden color, animated by an ultra-fine and swirling effervescence.
Nose
The bouquet is pure, precise and complex, mixing aromas of white flowers, almond, honey and nougat. Upon aeration, notes of red fruits and smoke are revealed, followed by warm and caramelized nuances reminiscent of macaroon, baked apples and tarte tatin.
Palate
Indulgent and velvety, the palate is rich while maintaining a great freshness thanks to a delicate effervescence. The flavors of candied Corsican citron stretch out on a finish marked by a chalky, powdery and iodized freshness, offering a dense texture and a serene length.
The property
Founded in 1776 in Reims, the Louis Roederer Champagne House has remained family-owned and independent. After more than 200 years of existence, the Louis Roederer House is still in the hands of the same family. Today led by Frédéric Rouzaud, who represents the seventh generation of the lineage, the Louis Roederer House embodies the excellence of Champagne wines around the world thanks to cuvées crafted like a work of art.
The vineyard
With nearly 241 hectares of vines, the Louis Roederer House draws its strength from its extraordinary vineyard, composed only of Grands and Premiers Crus in the Marne Valley, the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs. A true mosaic of terroirs, the Louis Roederer House's vineyard is divided into 410 plots that reflect all the diversity of the Champagne soils.
The wine
Cristal Vinothèque 1997 is made from three great vineyards known as "La Rivière", "La Montagne" and "La Côte".
The vintage
The spring of 1997, mild at first, was marked by an early bud break followed by severe frosts in April that damaged the vineyards of Verzenay and Verzy. After an early flowering in June, the rainy and cold weather until August favored the development of mildew and rot. Fortunately, the return of warm and sunny weather in August and September saved the vintage, with harvests taking place under radiant sunshine from September 15 to October 1.
Vinification and aging
Vinification is carried out in wood to the extent of 6%. Malolactic fermentation (16%). The cuvée was aged for 15 years on lees, 5 years on points and benefited from a rest of 4 years after disgorging. The dosage of this 1997 vintage champagne is 8 g/liter.
Review:
Intense nose of preserved lemons, salted yellow plums, walnuts, toast, salted caramel, roasted chestnuts and dried pineapple. Beautiful and complex, from 15 years, 5 years en pointe, before disgorgement in 2018. Delicious, salty toffee character. Soft, silky bubbles. Long and powerful. Thought-provoking. Unique. Will be launched in September 2022. Drink on release or hold.
-James Suckling 99 Points
Luis Canas Rioja Blanco is made from 90% Viura and 10% Malvasia (60+ years old vines)
Barrel fermented for 3.5 months in new French oak barrels.
Alcohol: 13,5º
Total acidity: 6,5 g./l.
Volatile acidity: 0,25 g./l.
PH: 3,40
Free SO2: 25 mg./l.
Grapes harvested in small boxes to be selected manually on the table, bunch by bunch.
Beautiful golden yellow, with bright lemony highly-luminous reflections. The nose is fine, with great elegance, combined with floral and fruity tones.
The palate is dry with a crisp acidity that gives its freshness and vivacity, a structured and tasty finish of ripe fruit.
We recommend that you taste it at 8°C.
It is appropriate to accompany shellfish, crustaceans and grilled white fish or fish stews. It also blends elegantly with rice, soft cheeses, blue cheeses, all kinds of mushrooms and fresh fruit.
Luis Canas Rioja Blanco is made from 90% Viura and 10% Malvasia (60+ years old vines)
Barrel fermented for 3.5 months in new French oak barrels.
Alcohol: 13,5º
Total acidity: 6,5 g./l.
Volatile acidity: 0,25 g./l.
PH: 3,40
Free SO2: 25 mg./l.
Grapes harvested in small boxes to be selected manually on the table, bunch by bunch.
Beautiful golden yellow, with bright lemony highly-luminous reflections. The nose is fine, with great elegance, combined with floral and fruity tones.
The palate is dry with a crisp acidity that gives its freshness and vivacity, a structured and tasty finish of ripe fruit.
We recommend that you taste it at 8°C.
It is appropriate to accompany shellfish, crustaceans and grilled white fish or fish stews. It also blends elegantly with rice, soft cheeses, blue cheeses, all kinds of mushrooms and fresh fruit.
Review:
"Clean citrus, reductive matchstick, crushed stone, and white flower notes all emerge from the 2022 Rioja Blanco Vinas Viejas, an incredibly well-made, balanced white that has a layered mouthfeel, building richness, and a clean, crisp, mineral-laced, almost salty finish. It will be a dream with tapas or as a starter. The blend is 85% Viura, 10% Malvasia, and the rest Tempranillo Blanco."
- Jeb Dunnuck (Importer Highlight: Fran Kysela ; July 2024), 94 pts
Paul Hobbs Chardonnay Russian River Valley is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
Crafted with precision from six pedigreed sites comes a wine that beams with pale straw hue. The newest vintage brings wonderful aromatic intensity: candied lemon peel, white florals followed by crisp green apple. A creamy and viscous texture on the palate is buoyed by white nectarine and dried apricot that’s balanced with a vibrant acidity, bringing focus to the wine’s finish that lingers with hints of flinty mineral notes.
Review:
-Wine Enthusiast 95 Points
Riebeek Pinotage is made from 100 percent Pinotage.
The color is an attractive bright, ruby red with a purple rim, typical of a young Pinotage. The flavors of this unique South African cultivar are complex and exciting with ripe plum and fruitcake all beautifully integrated and then finished with subtle oak for a lingering aftertaste.
Lovely with rare beef, barbequed lamb and casseroles. This versatile lighter style of Pinotage is also a lovely combination with spicy chicken.