WTN: at the Long Shadows Tasting Room
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 6:59 pm
Visited the Long Shadows tasting room in Woodinville the other day. In addition to their own wines, they were pouring Boudreaux and two wines made for the owners of the vineyards both wineries source most of their grapes from, called Den Hoed. Described in reverse order, complete with points cuz that's how I keep track of what really worked and what didn't, from last to first:
2008 Den Hoed Cabernet Sauvignon Andreas Wallula Vineyard
Very concentrated, cab-driven wine; blackberry, black cherry and tons of cedar. Very American vs. the sister wine's (Marie's View) European-ness and therefore my least favorite of the two but otherwise second best wine of the day. Made by Gilles Nicault (who makes all the Long Shadows wines) Really impressive. 150 cases made. 94 pts. $80.
2008 Den Hoed Marie's View Wallula Vineyard
Made by Rob Newsom (Boudreaux). Blend of Cab, Mer, PV, CF, Syrah and Sangiovese. Exquisite blend, super complex with great depth, concentration and perfume. Until these two wines were poured, I was concerned that I was being overly critical of the other wines. One sip of this and I knew: not so. Only 150 cases made. 94 pts. $80. Insanely priced, but I bought two bottles anyway.
2011 Long Shadows Wineries Cabernet Sauvignon Feather
Long Shadows Tasting Room. Blackberries, mushrooms and faint foresty flavors. A bit monochromatic and drying, so much so that I'm actually surprised that they're pouring it last as it disappoints more here than it would have earlier. Maybe this bottle's been open too long? $60. 87 pts.
2010 Long Shadows Wineries Syrah Sequel
Some Sequels have tasted, quite unfortunately, like copycat McClaren Vale Shirazes--not unpleasant by any means, but why all the malt, but hey, this is Washington. Well, here's a real Washington syrah, classic clean syrah flavors of raspberry and violets with a minor lactic note. Very good, but there are better WA syrahs for less money around. $50 90 pts.
2011 Long Shadows Wineries Pedestal
Thinner than any other Pedestal I've had and lacking Rolland's characteristic largesse. Some berry and chocolate speaks to the grape (merlot), but it was apparently a very poor year for merlot. 84 pts.
2011 Long Shadows Wineries Pirouette
Great finesse as usual (always my fave in the Long Shadows line-up) with a bit of jamminess to the fruit, something that usually speaks to ripeness but not an effect imaginable in the difficult 2011 vintage. A good effort for that reason and very drinkable, but it lacks the depth, cut and class of previous vintages. I'll wait for 2012. $55 87 pts.
2010 Long Shadows Wineries Chester-Kidder
50% cab, 25% syrah, the rest CF and PV. Smoked cherry fruit, warm and masculine. Very John Wayne. Shows the excellence of the 2010 vintage for wines with both heft and detail. $50. 91 pts.
2010 Long Shadows Wineries Saggi
Mostly sangiovese. Brambly red fruit with smoke. Good acidity, great definition and balance. Best Saggi I've tasted. $45. 92 pts.
2007 Boudreaux Cellars Merlot
This is the current release. Pourer stressed that Rob only releases a wine when it's ready which is an attempt to explain why 2007 but which, once you get your beak in the glass, makes you wonder if he waited too long. Firm tannins and very acid-driven, with lesser plummy merlot fruit pretty much in the back seat. Pleasant enough to drink--and I love acidic Euro style wine--but this doesn't show well for either the grape or the vintage to me. Bottle open too long? 85 pts.
2012 Boudreaux Cellars Chardonnay
Puligny Montrachet-ish with sweeter fruit. Good concentration; my first chance to taste a Rob Newsom white and I liked it quite a bit. $32.
2008 Den Hoed Cabernet Sauvignon Andreas Wallula Vineyard
Very concentrated, cab-driven wine; blackberry, black cherry and tons of cedar. Very American vs. the sister wine's (Marie's View) European-ness and therefore my least favorite of the two but otherwise second best wine of the day. Made by Gilles Nicault (who makes all the Long Shadows wines) Really impressive. 150 cases made. 94 pts. $80.
2008 Den Hoed Marie's View Wallula Vineyard
Made by Rob Newsom (Boudreaux). Blend of Cab, Mer, PV, CF, Syrah and Sangiovese. Exquisite blend, super complex with great depth, concentration and perfume. Until these two wines were poured, I was concerned that I was being overly critical of the other wines. One sip of this and I knew: not so. Only 150 cases made. 94 pts. $80. Insanely priced, but I bought two bottles anyway.
2011 Long Shadows Wineries Cabernet Sauvignon Feather
Long Shadows Tasting Room. Blackberries, mushrooms and faint foresty flavors. A bit monochromatic and drying, so much so that I'm actually surprised that they're pouring it last as it disappoints more here than it would have earlier. Maybe this bottle's been open too long? $60. 87 pts.
2010 Long Shadows Wineries Syrah Sequel
Some Sequels have tasted, quite unfortunately, like copycat McClaren Vale Shirazes--not unpleasant by any means, but why all the malt, but hey, this is Washington. Well, here's a real Washington syrah, classic clean syrah flavors of raspberry and violets with a minor lactic note. Very good, but there are better WA syrahs for less money around. $50 90 pts.
2011 Long Shadows Wineries Pedestal
Thinner than any other Pedestal I've had and lacking Rolland's characteristic largesse. Some berry and chocolate speaks to the grape (merlot), but it was apparently a very poor year for merlot. 84 pts.
2011 Long Shadows Wineries Pirouette
Great finesse as usual (always my fave in the Long Shadows line-up) with a bit of jamminess to the fruit, something that usually speaks to ripeness but not an effect imaginable in the difficult 2011 vintage. A good effort for that reason and very drinkable, but it lacks the depth, cut and class of previous vintages. I'll wait for 2012. $55 87 pts.
2010 Long Shadows Wineries Chester-Kidder
50% cab, 25% syrah, the rest CF and PV. Smoked cherry fruit, warm and masculine. Very John Wayne. Shows the excellence of the 2010 vintage for wines with both heft and detail. $50. 91 pts.
2010 Long Shadows Wineries Saggi
Mostly sangiovese. Brambly red fruit with smoke. Good acidity, great definition and balance. Best Saggi I've tasted. $45. 92 pts.
2007 Boudreaux Cellars Merlot
This is the current release. Pourer stressed that Rob only releases a wine when it's ready which is an attempt to explain why 2007 but which, once you get your beak in the glass, makes you wonder if he waited too long. Firm tannins and very acid-driven, with lesser plummy merlot fruit pretty much in the back seat. Pleasant enough to drink--and I love acidic Euro style wine--but this doesn't show well for either the grape or the vintage to me. Bottle open too long? 85 pts.
2012 Boudreaux Cellars Chardonnay
Puligny Montrachet-ish with sweeter fruit. Good concentration; my first chance to taste a Rob Newsom white and I liked it quite a bit. $32.