2009 Long Shadows 'Pirouette' Columbia Valley

(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)