Long Shadows Pedestal Merlot is made from 82% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Malbec.
Michel Rolland, Pomerol vintner and consultant to many of the world's top wineries, teamed with Washington State wine visionary Allen Shoup to produce this limited release wine.
With its intense color and inviting aromas of dark berries, licorice, baking spice and a hint of smoke, the Pedestal is a bold wine that leaves a lasting impression. Dark fruit flavors integrated with sweetness from the barrel and richness from the tannins come together seamlessly, lingering across a structured mid-palate and lengthy finish.
Winemaking: Hand-harvested grapes were double-sorted to remove green material that might impart harsh tannins, then most of the lots were cold soaked to build richness and flavor before undergoing whole-berry fermentation in 55L upright French wood tanks. This, combined with gentle pump-overs throughout fermentation, enhanced the wine’s color, texture and mouthfeel. The finished wine was aged 22 months in 85% new French oak barrels.
Review:
Vinous 96 Points
"The 2016 Pedestal Merlot has a precise nose of dusty plum, red flowers and soft oak tones with an elegant aroma of pencil lead fluttering about. The medium to full-bodied palate is clean and correct, with plush dark red fruit, dusty tannins, purple flowers and soft oak spices of vanilla, cardamom and nutmeg. The wine ends with a long, thoughtful, well-balanced finish that delivers complexity and pleasure simultaneously. Michel Rolland made this beauty of a bottle. - Anthony Mueller"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #246, December 2019), 94 pts
Long Shadows Pirouette Meritage is made from 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 13% 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.
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 2018 Pirouette checks in as 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 10% Petit Verdot aged 22 months in 85% new French oak. Deep purple-hued, it's a young, unevolved yet incredibly promising red with smoking good notes of ripe black and blue fruits as well as tobacco, graphite, and chocolate. Dense, full-bodied, and concentrated on the palate, it needs 3-5 years of bottle age but has the depth, balance, and class to evolve for 15-20 years or more."
- Jeb Dunnuck (May 2021), 95+ pts
"The 2018 Red Wine Pirouette blends 68% Cabernet Sauvignon with 22% Stone Tree Vineyard Merlot, and 10% Dionysus Vineyard Petit Verdot. The wine was aged 22 months in 85% new French oak prior to bottling. Aromatically beautiful, you are greeted to black rose petals and blackberry compote tones that mingle with wintergreen and chocolate covered espresso bean accents. Deep and concentrated in the mouth, with fantastic flavor density and tension, this finishes long with black fruits, loamy soils and minerals. Enjoy this texturally-beautiful Left Bank inspired Washington wine over the next twenty years to come. - Owen Bargreen"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (March 2022), 95 pts
62% Sangiovese, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah. Among Tuscany's oldest and most prestigious wine families, Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari teamed with Allen Shoup to produce a wine that showcases Washington State's terroir with plenty of Italian character. Saggi (meaning "wisdom") is a stunning blend of two outstanding Washington Sangiovese vineyards. Candy Mountain Sangiovese gives the wine its dark fruit flavors and appealing notes of anise. Dick Boushey's Yakima Valley Sangiovese, planted in 1992, adds vibrancy and liveliness. Because Cabernet Sauvignon has the potential to overtake Sangiovese, the Folonaris work closely with Sagemoor Vineyards to carefully select blocks of Cabernet they know from experience deliver elegant character and refined tannins. Syrah, also from Sagemoor, adds to the wine's dark color and rich mid-palate.
Review:
There are only a few Sangiovese-dominated wines from Washington, but they tend to be rock-solid. The 2018 Saggi Red Wine is a great example, revealing a ruby/semi-translucent color as well as notes of ripe cherries, leafy herbs, sandalwood, and dried flowers. Medium to full-bodied, it has plenty of richness, velvety tannins, and outstanding length. It opens up nicely with time in the glass and should have 10-12 years of longevity.
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2020), 92 pts
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
Mandolin Pinot Noir Monterey is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
With its maritime influence, California's Monterey region has an extended growing season that yields wines with full flavor development and great acid balance. Mandolin Pinot Noir has spice, ripe cherry, and savory tones on the nose. It is medium-bodied with polished tannins, showing strawberry and mineral notes.
Maysara 3 Degrees Pinot Noir is 100 percent Pinot Noir
Aged 11 months in neutral French oak barrels
3° (Three Degrees) Pinot Noir is handcrafted by the Momtazi sisters whose differing personalities; combined with elegance, finesse and balance, reflect the dynamic characteristics of the Momtazi Vineyard. The sisters, Tahmiene, Naseem and Hanna, set out to make a pinot that tastes great and has the highest quality fruit all while being affordable for everyone.
Intriguing notes of fresh earth, oak leaves and pepper are woven together in the initial impression. Lifted, verdant tannins give this wine a firm structure for the vintage to showcase its characteristic starry-eyed smile.
At Maysara Winery & Momtazi Vineyard, we are committed to cap-turing the complete expression of our land and conveying it to you through superior quality in every bottle. We practice only low-impact, holistic farming methods in our Demeter Certified Biodynamic Vineyard. We are confident these practices are the best way to capture the true essence of the soil in our fruit and ensure health of our vines and the unique accent of our terroir for generations. This philosophy is carried into the cellar, where Demeter Certified Biodynamic wine-making practices produce wines with intensity, sophistication and elegance while maintaining a purity of both fruit and earth.
Momtazi Vineyard.
A vibrant and snappy pinot that will shine and refresh when paired with curries, spetzatinas and rich stews.
Maysara Asha Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir
22 months in 40% new French oak barrel
Asha is an ancient Persian Word describing one who has a clean conscience for good thoughts, words, and deeds with a pure demeanor and performance.
A bejeweled glassful of garnets, Asha snakes onto your palate with amarena cherries, clove and a tantalizing whisp of … what is that? A distant campfire? Elegant and slippery tannins sway to a tune played upon vanilla violins.
At Maysara Winery & Momtazi Vineyard, we are committed to cap-turing the complete expression of our land and conveying it to you through superior quality in every bottle. We practice only low-impact, holistic farming methods in our Demeter Certified Biodynamic Vineyard. We are confident these practices are the best way to capture the true essence of the soil in our fruit and ensure health of our vines and the unique accent of our terroir for generations. This philosophy is carried into the cellar, where Demeter Certified Biodynamic wine-making practices produce wines with intensity, sophistication and elegance while maintaining a purity of both fruit and earth.
Pair with dishes that utilize slow braised meats, something with complex layers of spices and caramelization, as the mid-palate is ensorcelled with lively acidity and don't forget those tannins!
Maysara Jamsheed Pinot Noir is made of 100 percent Pinot Noir
11 months in 10% new French oak barrels
According to ancient Persian legend, King Jamsheed was able to observe his entire realm by peering into his full wine goblet.
Beginning with a generous core of red-black fruits, the McMinnville AVA saunters over the palate with both bravado and grace. Blackberry and fresh cracked pepper entwine perfectly with matured and lengthy tannins on the finish. The depth of this unassuming bottling is always an adventure to mine. Some older prospectors hear tell of herbal notes… silver sage? rosemary?
At Maysara Winery & Momtazi Vineyard, we are committed to cap-turing the complete expression of our land and conveying it to you through superior quality in every bottle. We practice only low-impact, holistic farming methods in our Demeter Certified Biodynamic Vineyard. We are confident these practices are the best way to capture the true essence of the soil in our fruit and ensure health of our vines and the unique accent of our terroir for generations. This philosophy is carried into the cellar, where Demeter Certified Biodynamic wine-making practices produce wines with intensity, sophistication and elegance while maintaining a purity of both fruit and earth.
Always offering generous accessibility, pair Jamsheed with darker fowl, grilled meats or salmon, even caramelized veggies.
Octopoda Pinot Noir Russian River is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
10 months in 40% new French oak
Beautiful garnet color with aromas of bing cherry, red raspberry, baking spice and subtle vanilla notes. On the palate, flavors are of concentrated red and blue fruit, with a core of cherry and dark raspberry with purple violet floral notes. Medium bodied with balanced acidity that lifts the flavors
The contrast between our 10 Acre and West Block Pinot noirs exemplifies how slight geographical differences can have significant influence on the flavor profile of a wine. Planted in 1997, The 10 Acre block of Pinot noir is the oldest planting on the Patton Valley Estate Vineyard. Located on the east-facing slope of our vineyard, this area gets full sun in the cool morning hours, leading to a slower, more gradual ripening process and a wine that is typically elegant and lighter in body with prevailing red fruit character.
The 2011 10 Acre Pinot noir shows abundant aromatics, immediately woodsy but overwhelmingly fresh with lavender and red plum, sweet caramel and malt. The palate is lush and broad with sweet cherry, cigar box, and the faintest hint of peat smoke. Soft and very subtle tannins give this wine a solid backbone. A great acid profile makes this wine likely to offer boundless enjoyment when consumed in the short term, or if given some time to rest, the distinct potential of becoming something much more profound. Drink now or cellar 5-8 years.
Patz & Hall Gaps Grown Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Gap's Crown Pinot Noir.
This vineyard sits high on a rock strewn, windswept hill directly overlooking the Petaluma Gap, the coastal mountain feature that feeds the cool Pacific air into the Russian River basin. Usually the last vineyard we pick each year, this extremely slow ripening site shows deeply fruity aromas of black cherry, plum, and cassis. Notes of sandalwood, moist fresh earth, and a faint waft of ocean spray define this wine as one of the most unique in our lineup. A crowd-pleasing richness is tempered by a fresh beam of mouthwatering acidity. Gap's Crown Vineyard is a very long-lived wine that rewards patient cellaring.
Review:
Classy forest floor, mulberry, black raspberry, spice, and incense notes emerge from the 2017 Pinot Noir Gap's Crown, a beautifully elegant, seamless, classic Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. This is a great vineyard.
- Jeb Dunnuch 94 Points
Patz & Hall Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
The 2018 vintage is elegant, yet powerful and displays classic Hyde Vineyard traits of delicate white flowers, tangerine zest, and lemon cream. On the palate the wine is citrus-driven with orange and lemon flavors along with hints of toasted almond and vanilla. The wine has great acidity that leaves a white chalk/mineral note on the very long finish.
Review:
Rich and contoured, this is filled with concentrated Fuji apple, pear tart and quince paste flavors that are well-structured and backed by powerful acidity. Shows intense mineral and sea salt notes on the long finish. Drink now through 2025. 1,400 cases made.
-Wine Spectator 93 Points
Paul Hobbs Russian River Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
Sourced predominately from the estates that are defined by their proximity to the coast and Russian River climate, the wine displays vivid crimson and aromas of violet, Morello cherry, and black tea. Velvet tannins on the palate ride along a juicy backbone of flavors such as cranberry, Blood orange, and Damson plum. The finish is long, powered behind a crisp acidity and appealing red clay-like minerality.
Quails Gate Pinot Noir Okanagan Valley is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
As pioneers of Pinot Noir in the Okanagan Valley, the winemaking team continues to raise the bar with this annual release. Sourced from several premium vineyards and a variety of clones, the 2020 vintage saw warm summer temperatures contributing to exceptional ripe, opulent flavours and smooth tannins resulting in an exceptional Pinot Noir.
Tasting notes:
Aromas of cherry, cocoa, raspberry, wild strawberry, lavender, dried cranberry with savory notes of sage leaf and earthy, blackberry, leather tones. A medium bodied silk feel on the palate with balanced flavors of juicy red fruit. Best enjoyed in Burgundy stemware to enhance aromatics.
An ideal match for late-season mushroom or squash risotto, seared game meats or roasted pork with wild rice and root vegetables.
Some wines are made for casual occasions that convey not a single place and time, but an ethos unto itself. This is where the idea of THREADCOUNT was born. Throughout California's most noteworthy coastal growing regions, vines from young to old, we were able to select from a broad array of terroirs giving us the luxury of blending a red that defies the norms.
As THREADCOUNT is commonly known, it is the sum of the threads and weft of a fabric, denoting its texture. With this red wine, we have taken an approach that takes the sum of the phenols against the natural acidity to create the most balanced and enjoyable red wine. This inaugural blend is handcrafted by Joe Wagner, a fifth-generation Napa Valley winemaker with a dedicated passion for farming grapes and making luxury wine.
Joe began in the wine business in 2001 at age nineteen. His passion and natural talent for winemaking quickly became apparent after he started his own award-winning single vineyard Pinot Noir label, Belle Glos. Joe went on to create Napa Valley Quilt which quickly became a top 10 luxury wine in just five vintages. THREADCOUNT is an extension of the Quilt winemaking style translated for more casual occasions.
WINEMAKER NOTES The grapes were harvested early in the morning so the fruit would arrive at the winery while still cool to preserve the vineyard-fresh flavors. Within this wine, we blend a combination of Zinfandel, Syrah, Petit Sirah and Merlot from Mendocino, Sonoma and Lodi. After de-stemming the berries, the fruit was cryo-extracted and then cold-soaked to soften the skins and allow for ideal extraction. During fermentation, punch-downs and pump-overs were performed in a combination of closed and open-top stainless steel fermenters in order to extract color and tannins; during this process, temperatures were kept low to build mouthfeel and maximize flavors. Finally, the wines are aged in 50% new French oak for between 12-16 months. After the wine underwent malolactic fermentation, it was racked every 6 months before the final blend was complete.
TASTING NOTES
COLOR: Dark cherry with scarlet red highlights.
AROMA: Complex aromas of black raspberry, milk chocolate, and soft hints of sweet cedar. PALATE: Bold flavors of boysenberry pie, sugar cookie, and toffee lead to subtle notes of strawberry jam and baking spice. The balanced and complex tannin structure creates a long-lasting enjoyable finish. FOOD PAIRING: Tri-tip crostini, pork ribs with mashed potatoes, or pasta with a bolognese sauce.
Sale price good on website only and wine must be shipped to your home.
Siegel Reserve Red Blend 1234 is made from 50% Syrah, 30% Carmenère, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot.
Deep ruby color. Intense aromas of black fruits, white pepper, spices and a hint of clove. The blend of four varieties gives a complex, deep wine with juicy tannins, good volume and very balanced.
Pre-fermenting cold maceration for five days, alcoholic fermentation at 26-28 C to obtain color and structure. Post fermentation maceration of two to three weeks according wine tasting and then the wine is separated from the skins. The wine ends its malolactic fermentation in tank. Harvest: by hand (30 day harvest window)
Paella, Confit de Canard (duck confit) and pastas.
Smith Story Cabernet Sauvignon Pickberryis made from 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon.
This wine is an old soul. I feel closer to it than all of the wines we produce, filled with excitement to show off to the world. A rebel of sorts, a Cabernet Sauvignon that is for the curious wine drinker for sure. The 2016 is going to be a showstopper complete with an standing ovation. I can’t wait to see it on stage. Worth the wait.
Ali’s Notes: This was the vineyard I spent the most time in during the 2016 Harvest. There’s a magical view that just pulls me in mixed with an incredible assortment of vineyard rocks popping up throughout the vines. The end of the vineyard rows always had the most gorgeous blooming red roses too. I often sat under the big shade tree on top of the hillside and took it all in. I was there the morning of the pick, the vineyard workers were full of song and hustle. So much TLC was given during harvest.
Eric’s Notes: Steady and mostly uneventful growing season with a bit of midsummer spikes of heat but nothing maddening. A cool slow end of the growing season led to really pretty and balanced fruit. We did get lucky though… we had some rain come in just a few days after picking. Speaking of… the grapes were hand picked. hand sorted, destemmed and fermented in stainless steel with daily manual punch-downs. Wine was then aged in neutral Bordeaux barrels for 22 months before bottling.
It’s wildly similar to our 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon. If opening right away, decant a few hours. The wine is a little tight out of the gates but showing nice herb and pepper notes - the salty minerality shows up on the back end of the palate as it airs.
LIBRARY WINE/ LIMITED AVAILABILITY: A Cabernet Sauvignon, without question on the nose. A Cabernet true to the Smith Smith story style; cooler and dancing aromatic while having density and layers of texture. Lots of spicy red fruits up front while fresh bramble fruits bounce around the palate which is rounded out by a savory, almost cinnamon-bark spice mouthfiling finish and pretty tannin structure.
Review:
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Pickberry Vineyard is the most convincing and complete of these wines from Smith Story. Deep and inky, yet very much medium in body, the 2016 has a lot to offer. Blueberry, menthol, licorice, lavender and spice meld in this supple, racy Cabernet Sauvignon. The balance of fruit, structure and freshness is terrific. This classically rendered Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon needs bottle age to truly blossom; give it a few years to be at its best. - Vinous 93 Points
Tasting notes: A brand new wine from this tremendous vineyard, The Sokol Blosser Kalita Vineyard 2021 Estate Pinot Noir bursts with classic Yamhill-Carlton dark-fruit notes, including black cherry, cranberry, and blackberry. Warm spices, espresso, and woodsy forest floor are backed up with grippy tannins to balance the fruit.
Trapiche Terroir Series Finca Orellana is made from 100 percent Malbec.
The history of Trapiche begins in 1883, in a small vineyard called El Trapiche, in the district of Godoy Cruz, Mendoza, where the grapes for the first fine wines were grown. With more than 130 years of experience, Trapiche has earned its place as a pioneering brand in the introduction of French vines, the production of varietal wines, the import of French oak barrels and the use of stainless steel tanks. True to its origins, today Trapiche is in a continuous quest for the latest best practices .Led by Daniel Pi, Director of Winemaking, Trapiche's winemaking team permanently strives to improve winemaking practices by exchanging experience and knowledge with winemakers from other wine producing countries such as France, the US, Australia and New Zealand.
With a deep garnet red color, this Malbec expresses aromas of red fruits such as cherries and currants, and intense balsamic notes with hints of fresh herbs. In the mouth, it is sweet and broad with a great concentration of fruit and soft, ripe tannins. It has a long, persistent and elegant finish.
Review:
El Peral may not be on the radar of many Argentine Malbec lovers. But if you take a look at Descorchados, you will realize that here we are fans of this area, a place of gentle hills, streams and trees. This vineyard was planted in 1946, and today it delivers deliciously liquefied fruit, with hints of cherries and cassis, but above all violets and blackberries in a long and deep body. Give it at least ten years in the bottle.
-Patricio Tapia - Descorchados 95 Points
-Tim Atkin 95 Points
The epitome of cool climate Syrah. Intense and inviting, earthy, peaty but with concentrated fruit flavors of plums, blackberries, blueberries and black cherry all mixed together. Savory yet sweet, this wine just lingers on the palate. Paired with a rich lamb stew, smoked meats or your favorite Fall holiday meal, this wine will shine and develop beautifully for the next 5-7 years.
Review:
"This is a full-bodied Pinot, with rose petal and cinnamon peeking out of underbrush. It's savory, rich, and spicy, with an earthy finish."
- The Tasting Panel (March 2021), 93 pts
"A rich, layered pinot with strawberry, meat, cedar and smoke aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied and rich, yet remains focused and bright at the end. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (December 2020), 93 pts
Walt La Brisa Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
This 2021 vintage wine opens with luscious red fruits accented with an earthy note of freshly tilled soil. The rich texture is brightened with juicy raspberry and cherry flavors, while toasty barrel notes carry through to a fresh, savory finish.
Review:
An arresting fruit quality and complex layering of flavors lend great interest to this appealing, well-balanced wine. Rhubarb, sour cherry and orange pekoe tea aromas lead to vivid black cherries and warm, subtle spices like cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.
-Wine Enthusiast 95 Points
Reverdy Jean Sancerre Rose is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
Color: Pale salmon pink color
Nose: delicate aromas of roses and orange blossom that will transform into gooseberry and peach blossoms as the temperature in the glass rises.
Mouth: The palate is crisp, lean and elegant, but the flavors are quite persistent with cherry, blackcurrant,apricot and red currant aromas.
According to the Sancerre AOC regulation, maximum yield authorized for the rosé is 55 hl/ha.
Pairs well with poultry and spicy food.
Halter Ranch Vineyard Ancestor Estate Reserve is made from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Malbec, 17% Petit Verdot,
Their flagship wine, Ancestor is their Bordeaux-style reserve blend, and an homage to the Ancestor Tree, the largest Coast Live Oak on record. The 2019 Ancestor showcases aromas of red currant and dark chocolate along with subtle hints of cinnamon and clove. The entry is soft and rich with layered flavors of blueberry, blackberry, and dark cherry. The mid- palate is thick and mouth coating with balanced acid. The finish is framed by integrated tannins and delicate flavors of caramel and truffle.
Pair with roasted meats, reduction sauces, and hearty stews.
Review:
Baked blackberry, leather, cocoa and espresso-bean aromas show on the nose of this blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Malbec and 17% Petit Verdot. The palate is generous in fruit, tense in tannins and very approachable, showing creamy blueberry, pepper and wild-herb flavors.
-Wine Enthusiast 93 Points