Long Shadows

Hard times bring hard decisions in almost every field of endeavor. The wine industry is no different than the rest of us. Do we sell the vineyard to a larger producer? Do we just forfeit on our financial encumbrances and just give it over to creditors? What do we do?
One very successful solution was implemented by several small, boutique wineries in Washington State who banded together and formed Long Shadows, an umbrella organization that allows each winery and winemaker to do what they do best while taking the strain of running a business off of their shoulders. It has been tried, tested and it works. The name Long Shadows never appears on the label. The wine is made, bottled and labeled by the individual vintners and Long Shadows handles everything else including the selling to distributors. These are top wines from top Washington state producers and will continue to be enjoyed for many years to come, thanks to Long Shadows

Poet’s Leap 2009 Columbia Valley Riesling ($20). Today, it must be something special if a riesling sells for $20, when you can buy one for $6.99. Well, there are also Mercedes and Volkswagens; both are automobiles; both come from Germany; but what a world of difference between them. The same is true for rieslings, but in this case the better one comes from Washington State. The aromas of ripe apples, peaches and citrus are detected as the glass is lifted to the nose. These aromas carry over to the flavor and are enhanced by an unmistakable mineral element. This wine is also blessed with a multifaceted fruity finish which lingers on the palate and in the memory for a very long time. This wine is worth every penny of its price.

2007 Columbia Valley Saggi (Wisdom) ($45). This wine could best be classified as a Super-Tuscan. A Super-Tuscan from Washing to State; now there is a contradiction in terms if there ever was one. But that is exactly what it is, a wine made from 43% sangiovese, 36% cabernet sauvignon and 21% syrah and it is made by members of Italy’s famed winemaking family, Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari. A deep purple color announces the delightful aromas of plums and cherries, shaded by ground coffee and cinnamon. Expressive flavors of cherry, cassis, and blueberry abound followed by a finish which is symphony of nutmeg, chocolate and black pepper. Kudos to the Folinari family for producing this gem.

2007 Pedestal Merlot ($55). This wine is not the run-of-the-mill flabby merlots, it has character and most important, a strong backbone. This wine is big, full bodied and showcases the aromas of anise, green berries, oak and tobacco. The flavor is a masterful blend of cherries, plums, cassis and a background of oak and vanilla. The finish, which lingers in the mouth for a very long time is also something special. This wine serves as a perfect accompaniment for the heavier red meats or cheese wedges. For those of our readers who specifically enjoy a merlot wine we suggest Pedestal as one of the best you can buy.

Chester Kidder 2006 Red Wine ($50). The Chester Kidder 2006 Red Wine is, to say the least, a work of art. The wine is in the form of a Meritage, a blend of 45% cabernet sauvignon, 36% syrah with the balance being made up by petite verdot and cabernet franc. The color is a deep, dark ruby that sparkles in the glass and invites the first sip. As the glass is brought to the lips, the aromas of cassis, dark cherries, blackberries and licorice entice the senses and heralds what was to be found in the flavor. That first sip fills the mouth with the same flavors as found in the aroma, with the added sensations of raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, oak and vanilla. What sets this wine apart from all of the others is it’s depth of the flavors and the soft, velvet-like texture of the wine and a huge finish.