Longshadows event at Wine Watch

From wine what sudden friendship springs!
John Gay 1685 - 1732
Fables, pt. II [1738], The Squire and His Cur

I have been touting the wines of Washington State for the last few years and after attending the Auction of Washington State wines for the last few years I have had a chance to visit quite a few wineries.  Some of them I have actually visited twice like Alan Schoup's Londshadows Vintners.

This is one of the most exciting projects in all of the wine world and it just so happens that it is here in Washington State.  The school of Chateau Ste. Michelle strikes again and Alan Schoup is one of the disciples of this institution that has taken wine in the state of Washington to another level.  He came up with the genius idea of inviting some of the wine worlds' top winemaking minds to come to Washington State, see the potential of the vineyards here and then to try to raise the bar with one of the varietals that they specialize in.  This showcases the superior quality of the fruit in Washington State and also raises the bar by gaining perspective from an expert on each particular varietal.

It's like getting an experts opinion for each varietal and Longshadows now has some of the top minds in the wine business giving them advice; for a small piece of the pie of course.  This gives each winemaker a vested interest in the success not only of this project but of Washington state wines as well.

Dane Narbaitz is the president of Long Shadows Vintners and he will be here to guide us through a tasting of the new releases from this unique wine project from Washington State.  Wine Watch Caterings Toni Lampasone will be making a few small courses to accompany the tasting wines and the fee for this tasting is $55 + tax.  For reservations call 954-523-9463.

Long Shadows Vintners Wine Tasting at Wine Watch
Wednesday, September 16th
7:30pm

Nine Hats Riesling 2013
Price: $13.75       Sale $12.10          Case $141

The 2013 Nine Hats Riesling was sourced from The Benches Vineyard on the Horse Heaven Hills (25%) and from Bacchus Vineyard  (75%) just north of Pasco.  The Benches Riesling was planted in 2004 with carefully selected German clones to showcase the minerality and complexity of this varietal while Bacchus provided elegant layers of stone fruit flavors.  All of the  grapes were picked early in the morning and gently pressed to capture fresh citrus and honey flavors without imparting any bitterness.

Nine Hats Pinot Gris
Price: $13.75       Sale $12.10          Case $141

Sourced exclusively from The Benches Vineyard at Wallula (1,400 feet above the Columbia River), where a constant breeze moderates temperatures to capture fresh flavors and give the wine its vibrant mouth feel.  A light squeeze of the grapes on the press and a cool fermentation is used to enhance the Pinot Gris’racy character.  Appealing floral aromas lead to flavors of apricot, grapefruit, honey dew melon and lime zest with a hint of spice.  The wine’s viscous mouth feel is balanced nicely by its crisp acidity.

2014 Long Shadows Vintners Poet Leap Riesling Columbia Valley
Price: $21.00       Sale $18.48          Case $215

This is in collaboration with Armin Diel at 12.9 this only has a touch of residual bright green apple fruit bringing together the hoarse heaven hills for the minerality and stone fruit, Yakima valley Phil church vineyard for the bright acidity then some sagemoor and Dionysus vineyard fruit white flowers nice complexity here on the nose a nice touch of sweetness on the tongue with a nice dry finish some pretty floral notes. Excellent

Nine Hats Red
Price: $27.00       Sale $23.76          Case $276

A multi-layered, deep garnet wine offering the distinctive flavors of five Bordeaux varietals
held together by savory notes of Syrah. This wine
displays a wonderfully rich and silky texture complimented by bright bing cherry and ripe plum flavors.

2013 Long Shadows Vintners Saggi
Price: $55.50       Sale $48.84          Case $567

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 blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.

2012 Long Shadows Vintners Chester Kidder Red Blend Columbia Valley
Price: $60.75       Sale $53.46          Case $620

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Verdot which is made by Gilles nicault who is the winemaker who works with all the celebrity winemakers.  The fruit is from candy mountain and Red mountain this wine has a good amount of dark cherry fruit blackberry fruit with dark chocolate and fresh plowed earth/loamy notes- nice complexity on the nose. A thick and chewy wine on the tongue with ripe round tannins very balanced, a bigger wine than the feather but just as nuanced. Finish 45+. Excellent+

2012 Long Shadows Vintners Pirouette
Price: $64.75       Sale $56.98          Case $661

Philippe Melka and Agustin Huneeus, Sr. teamed to combine the traditions of old world winemaking, the advancements of new world technology, and small lots from Washington State's finest vineyards to craft this enticing red blend.

Mother Nature handed Columbia Valley winemakers a near perfect growing season in 2012. Early spring days were warm; April conditions were ideal, then temperatures cooled considerably in May and June before warming for the summer and remaining consistent throughout harvest. Small berries ripened perfectly, yielding wines loaded with intense flavor and rich, balanced tannins in the finished wine.

A deep, dark wine packed with engaging aromas of fresh blueberry and dark chocolate, the 2012 Pirouette is rich and complex from start to finish. Refined and textured on the palate with lively, mouth-filling blackberry jam flavors accompanied by hints of spice and fig that carry across a lingering finish.

2013 Long Shadows Wineries Sequal Syrah Columbia Valley
Price: $60.00       Sale $52.80          Case $612

This is made in collaboration with John Duval formerly the winemaker for grange. A very intense bouquet of blackberry liqueur like fruit crushed rock like mineral Ike and black licorice violet floral notes very rich and complex aromas. A big and chewy wine with lots of blackberry fruits silky velvety tannins and a long layered finish. Black licorice spice and smoke on the finish. Finish 50+ most excellent

Menu

Selection of Cheese

Pauchause of River fish Sauce with Savory Hush puppies

Sundried Cherry BBQ Pork Medallions with Cheddar Cheese Grits and blistered baby Carrots

This is a sit down tasting and is limited to 15 tasters.  The fee for this event is $55 per person + tax.