Long Shadow Vintners Washington State Wine Dinner with Special Guest Winemaker Gilles Nicault Thursday, January 22, 2026 7:30 PM
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 once again and Allen Shoup 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 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 expert’s 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 vetted interest in the success not only of this project but of Washington state wines as well.
Gilles Nicault the winemaker that deals with all the other superstar winemakers is an all-star in the world of winemakers also and we are excited to have the glue that holds all these other winemakers together with be here to guide us through a tasting of the new releases from this unique wine project from Washington State. We also have some older vintages of a few of these on the shelf at Wine Watch so we can see just how well these wines age as well. The fee for this tasting which includes dinner is $195 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.
Long Shadow Vintners Washington State Wine Dinner
with Special Guest Winemaker Gilles Nicault
Thursday, January 22, 2026
7:30 PM
2024 'Julia's Dazzle' Rose
2023 Long Shadows 'Cymbal' Sauvignon Blanc Columbia Valley
2023 Long Shadows Dance Chardonnay, Columbia Valley
2020 Long Shadows Saggi, Columbia Valley
2020 Long Shadows Pedestal Merlot Columbia Valley
2013 Long Shadows Pedestal Merlot Columbia Valley
2020 Long Shadows 'Pirouette' Columbia Valley
2009 Long Shadows 'Pirouette' Columbia Valley
2021 Long Shadows Cabernet Sauvignon Feather Columbia Valley
2020 Long Shadows Chester Kidder Red Columbia Valley
2012 Long Shadows Chester Kidder Red Columbia Valley
2020 Long Shadows Sequel Syrah, Columbia Vallley
2024 Long Shadows Poet's Leap Riesling Columbia Valley
Menu
Selection of Cheese and Charcuterie
Melon and Fig Salas with Prosciutto, Avocado Fries, Walnuts and Aged Balsamic
Scallop Carpaccio with Candied Citrus and Lavender Aioli
Beef Shortrib Wellington with Wild Mushroom Red Wine Sauce
Double Chocolate Chip Bourbon Pecan Pie
The fee for this tasting which includes dinner is $195 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com. Please let us know when you make your reservations if you have any food allergies or aversions and chefs Toni and Dani will be happy to accommodate you.
A bit about the Longshadows Project:
Allen took inspiration for Long Shadows from his good friend and mentor Robert Mondavi, whose Opus One collaboration with Baron Philippe de Rothschild furthered the prestige of Napa Valley. Inspired by the idea of international partnerships and fortunate to enjoy industry friendships spanning the globe, Allen envisioned a more complex alliance to highlight the quality and diversity of Washington vineyards. He easily recruited a dream team of winemakers. The talent pool was deep, but the winemakers were all new to Washington vineyards. To succeed, Allen knew he needed boots on the ground, someone who enjoyed strong working relationships with the Columbia Valley's best growers and was excited by the challenge of working with a divergent group of winemakers.
Gilles joined Long Shadows shortly before the start of his tenth vintage in Washington, just as Long Shadows' first celebrated vintners were signing on to the project. An international winemaker in his own right, Gilles grew up in southern France, studied viticulture and enology there, and made wine in Côte du Rhône, Provence, and Champagne. Already a winemaker of rising fame in his homeland, he traveled to Washington State in 1994 to expand his winemaking skills, working for several top Washington wineries, including Woodward Canyon. By the time Long Shadows was established, Gilles knew Washington vineyards well. He sought the position at Long Shadows, eager to merge his winemaking skills with a remarkable group of vintners.
With Gilles at the helm, Long Shadows began crafting wines inspired by iconic winemakers, each of global prominence and famous for their mastery of a particular variety and style:
Randy Dunn, Dunn Vineyard, Napa Valley (Feather Cabernet Sauvignon)
Agustin Huneeus Sr. and Philippe Melka, Quintessa, Napa Valley (Pirouette)
John Duval, Penfolds, Barossa Valley (Sequel Syrah)
Michel Rolland, Chateau Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol (Pedestal Merlot)
Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari, Tenute Folonari, Tuscany (Saggi)
Armin Diel, Schlossgut Diel, Nahe Valley (Poet’s Leap Riesling)
Gilles own wine, Chester-Kidder, was the first Long Shadows red produced in 2002.
The winemakers joined Long Shadows as co-owners of their wine, not as consultants. In so doing, Allen reasoned, each partner would be vested in learning more about Washington State's vineyards, and Long Shadows' wines would exemplify the viticultural excellence of the Columbia Valley.
Long Shadows' celebrated vintners traveled to Washington State frequently in the early years, collaborating with Gilles on vineyard preferences, picking and fermentation protocol, barrel selections, and final blending. When construction started on Long Shadows' state-of-the-art Walla Walla winery in 2005, Gilles knew what was needed to design and outfit the new facility to each vintner's exacting specifications. As the years passed, and the wines continued to show remarkable consistency under Gilles direction, the partners' visits to the Columbia Valley naturally became less frequent.
In any company the quality of its products begins and ends with the employees who produce them. At Long Shadows, I've had the good fortune to be able to surround myself with highly dedicated, conscientious and talented people whose exacting efforts have led to the success of our award winning wines. I can't thank them enough for all that they do.
— Allen Shoup, Founder
Today, Long Shadows' original team of celebrated vintners is no longer directly involved in production, but the signature style of each winemaker can be tasted in each glass of Long Shadows wine. Gilles sees to that, as he always has, by skillfully maintaining their long-standing methods and techniques.
Recruiting winemakers from around the world, each to produce a single Columbia Valley wine representing a “best of type,” was only half of the plan. Allen knew each winemaker would come with their own winemaking techniques and requirements, so a world-class winery was designed and built, capable of making wine to each winemaker’s rigorous specifications. The results were almost immediate. Acclaim for the wines and for the project followed, and in 2007, just four short years from its inception, Food & Wine Magazine named Long Shadows “Winery of the Year.” Since then Long Shadows has continued to produce highly-sought-after and highly-acclaimed examples of the best Washington can produce.
Over the years, Gilles and Allen experimented with small quantities of uniquely styled wines for their personal and family enjoyment. A few of these wines became too good not to share with their “extended family” and now are available with Long Shadows' other current releases. They include Dance Chardonnay, Cymbal Sauvignon Blanc, and Julia’s Dazzle Rosé, named after Allen’s granddaughter.
2024 'Julia's Dazzle' Rose Columbia Valley
Price: $21.50 Your Price: $18.92
Julia’s Dazzle Rosé was developed by Allen Shoup and named after his granddaughter Julia. Winemaker Gilles Nicault crafts this limited production Rosé having developed his winemaking skills in Provence, France, the world leader in Rosé.
Crisp and expressive, the 2024 opens with notes of wild strawberries, white peach, and citrus zest. Hints of rose petal and watermelon add delicate complexity, while a lively acidity brings balance and a refreshing, dry finish.
2023 Long Shadows Cymbal Sauvignon Blanc Columbia Valley
Price: $35.00 Your Price: $30.80
Blend: 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Intensely aromatic, with expressive layers of lemongrass, passion fruit and honeysuckle. Bright and balanced, showing lively acidity on the palate, with delicious ripe kiwi, mango and white nectarine flavors stretching across a lasting finish.
2022 Long Shadows Vintners Dance Chardonnay Columbia Valley Washington
Price: $45.00 Your Price: $39.60 Quantity in Stock: 7
A deeply aromatic Chardonnay offering exotic tropical fruits, white peach and a hint of honey on the nose. The mouthfeel is rich and viscous delivering layered flavors of stone fruit, dried apricot, baking spice, and freshly baked bread. Beautifully focused, with just enough acidity to lift the expression and complexity of the wine while leaving a pleasant fruitiness and hint of minerality on the finish.
2020 Long Shadows Chester Kidder Red Wine Columbia Valley
Price: $65.00 Your Price: $57.20
Allen Shoup named this wine in honor of his mother, Elizabeth Chester, and his grandmother, Maggie Kidder. He selected Long Shadows' director of winemaking, Gilles Nicault, to craft this New World blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and other classic Bordeaux varieties.
A beautifully dark and concentrated wine with wonderful aromatics. The mouthfeel is soft and lush on entry with sweet spice that becomes rich on the wine’s mid-palate. Fresh fig and ripe plum flavors are interwoven with notes of graphite and an alluring earthiness. The 2020 Chester-Kidder is a flavorful and structured wine with a silky, textured mouthfeel and vibrant finish
2018 Long Shadows Chester Kidder Red Wine Columbia Valley
Price: $71.25 Your Price: $62.70 Quantity in Stock: 3
(94 Points) The 2018 Chester-Kidder Red Wine is based on 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Syrah, and the rest Petit Verdot that spen...
2012 Long Shadows Chester Kidder Red Columbia Valley
Price: $91.25 Sale Price: $73.00 Quantity in Stock: 1
(91 Points) This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot. Aromas of violets, black licorice, dried blackberries and dark fruit are followed by ripe, full-bodied dark fruit and baking-spice flavors. The tannins pack a hefty but still well-balanced punch.- WIne Enthusiast
2021 Pedestal Merlot Columbia Valley
Price: $65.00 Your Price: $57.20
Originally created in collaboration with acclaimed winemaker Michel Rolland, this unique Merlot blend is produced by Long Shadows’ Director of Winemaking, Gilles Nicault.
Opaque and concentrated in the glass with intense black fruit aromas laced with a streak of dark chocolate. Ripe huckleberry and wild blackberry flavors are well-integrated with appealing notes of sweet violet and oak spice. Lush and rich on the mid-palate with a velvety, textured finish that lasts
2019 Long Shadows Pedestal Merlot Columbia Valley Magnum
Price: $157.50 Your Price: $138.60
Michel Rolland, Pomerol vintner and consultant to many of the world's top wineries, provided the vision for this limited production Merlot.
An opulent wine with a core of dark cherry aromas and ripe blackberry flavors framed by notes of bittersweet chocolate and a pleasant hint of graphite. Seamless and well-textured with a lush mouthfeel from entry to mid-palate that carries across a lengthy finish.
2013 Long Shadows Pedestal Merlot Columbia Valley, USA
Price: $93.75 Sale Price: $75.00 Quantity in Stock: 3
(94 Points) One of my favorites in the 2013 lineup is the 2013 Pedestal Merlot. Made by Michel Rolland and blended with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and smaller parts Malbec and Cabernet Franc, aged 22 months in 85% new French oak, its deep purple color is followed by fabulous notes of plums, coffee beans, spice box and sweet oak in a full-bodied, decadent, ripe and expansive package. In general, Cabernet was more successful than Merlot in 2013, but you wouldn’t know it by tasting this beauty. Drink it anytime over the coming decade. - WIne Advocate
2021 LONG SHADOWS CABERNET SAUVIGNON FEATHER 1.5L Magnum
Price: $120.00 Your Price: $105.60 Quantity in Stock: 4
2021 LONG SHADOWS CABERNET SAUVIGNON FEATHER COLUMBIA VALLEY
Price: $78.00 Your Price: $68.64 Quantity in Stock: 8
(97 Points) All Cabernet Sauvignon and a blend put together by Randy Dunn, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Feather is inky purple-hued and offers a brilliant nose of cassis, new leather, graphite, and truffly earth. This rich, spicy, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon has terrific purity, a deep, layered mid-palate, and a broad, layered, expansive mouthfeel that keeps you coming back to the glass. Drink this remarkable Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon over the coming two decades. Jeb Dunnuck
2020 LONG SHADOWS CABERNET SAUVIGNON FEATHER COLUMBIA VALLEY
Price: $78.00 Your Price: $68.64 Quantity in Stock: 10
(98 points) Instantly impressive, the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Feather opens to silky, fresh and fleshy dark red and black fruit tones with picturesque rich and ripe notions that sashay out of the glass with elegance, power and precision. Medium to full-bodied, the Cabernet shows incredible depth and breadth with succulent acidity and fine-grained tannins. This will have no trouble aging past its 20th birthday. World-class and devastatingly beautiful, the wine continues to somersault across the ever-evolving finish, and it will undoubtedly be well received upon its release in the fall later this year. Mark your calendar now, and run, don’t walk to add this to your cellar. (AM) (5/2023) Wine Advocate
2021 Long Shadows 'Pirouette' Columbia Valley
Price: $65.00 Your Price: $57.20
(96 Points) The 2021 Pirouette is Philippe Melka's take on Washington State Bordeaux varieties, and it's based on 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec. Ripe black and blue fruits, leafy herbs, violets, tobacco, and a kiss of some chocolaty oak all emerge from this beauty, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a broad, layered mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and a stunning finish. It certainly makes the most of the vintage and it's up with the crème de la crème of this vintage. Jeb Dunnuck
2020 Long Shadows 'Pirouette' Columbia Valley
Price: $75.00 Your Price: $66.00 Quantity in Stock: 6
Napa Valley's Philippe Melka partners with Long Shadows' winemaker, Gilles Nicault, to produce this classic old world style blend using select lots from the Columbia Valley's best vineyards.
The 2020 Pirouette is a big, refined wine with beautiful balance, offering concentrated color and flavors. Black cherry, sweet spice, plum, and hints of dark chocolate are lavishly integrated with silky tannins that leave a rich impression across a lengthy finish. Complete and seamless from beginning to end.
2018 Long Shadows 'Pirouette' Columbia Valley Magnum
Price: $150.00 Your Price: $132.00
(94 Points) 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
2010 Long Shadows 'Pirouette' Columbia Valley
Price: $79.00 Your Price: $69.52 Quantity in Stock: 1
(92 points) "In need of short-term cellaring, the 2010 Red Wine Pirouette, made by Philippe Melka out of Napa Valley, is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot that spent 22 months in 100% French oak. Offering ripe, toasty notes of smoked earth, herbs, chocolate and assorted black fruits, it is medium-bodied, firm and focused on the palate, with great acidity and edgy tannin. (Wine Advocate)." (6/2013)
2009 Long Shadows 'Pirouette' Columbia Valley
Price: $79.00 Your Price: $69.52 Quantity in Stock: 4
(91 points) "The Long Shadows project of Philippe Melka and Agustin Huneeus Sr., the 2009 Pirouette blends Cabernet Sauvignon largely from Red Mountain, with 27% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec. High-toned evocations of herbal distillates are married to confitured dark berries, chocolate, caramel and spice cake. The tannin here is powdery, if not quite melted; and 14.9% alcohol in no way mars a soothingly sustained, rather dessert-like finish. I envision this as being worth following for at least 6-8 years. Melka utilizes smell wooden fermentors. (Interestingly, a modest amount of Syrah was included in the first three renditions of Pirouette, but was significantly reduced in 2006 and did not reappear thereafter.) (Wine Advocate)." (12/2012)
2008 Long Shadows 'Pirouette' Columbia Valley
Price: $79.00 Your Price: $69.52 Quantity in Stock: 3
(93 Points) The 2008 Pirouette is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc with the balance Petit Verdot and Malbec aged for 22 months in 70% new French oak. The wine was made by Agustin Hunneus, Sr,.and Philippe Melka. It offer slightly sweeter fruit and more complexity than the 100% varietal Dunn offering. Spicy, rich, and nicely proportioned, it will evolve for 2-3 years and provide prime drinking from 2013 to 2023. Wine Advocate
2004 Long Shadows 'Pirouette' Columbia Valley
Price: $79.00 Your Price: $69.52 Quantity in Stock: 1
(93 Points) The last of the blends is the 2004 Pirouette. The featured winemakers are Agustin Huneeus Sr. and Philippe Melka. The wine is composed of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 13% Petit Verdot, and 11% Syrah. The fruit was selected from vineyards encompassing five different AVAs with yields in the range of 1-2 tons per acre. The wine was aged for 21 months in French oak, 75% new. The expressive nose offers up pain grille, scorched earth, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. This is followed by a thick wine with silky tannins, superb depth and richness, and layers of flavor. It merits several years of cellaring and should drink well through 2037. In the context of what $55 will get you from Napa Valley or Bordeaux, this is a terrific value. Wine Advocate
2020 Long Shadows Sequel Syrah Columbia Valley
Price: $67.50 Your Price: $59.40 Quantity in Stock: 4
John Duval, formerly of Australia's iconic Penfolds Grange, chose the Columbia Valley as his "Sequel" for the continuation of his life's work with Syrah.
A small 5% Cabernet Sauvignon (Dionysis Vineyard) in the blend the vineyards Bouchet, Yakima, Hedges, Bacchus, Candy Mountain and then the rest from Benches. This wine has a beautiful bouquet here of dark blackberry liqueur like fruit smoky bacon meaty notes and dark mocha with espresso, licorice and more, very complex bouquet of aromas. A big and chewy wine on the tongue with silky smooth tannins echoing the nuance and spice from the nose through the finish. finish 50+ Most Excellent
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