Long Shadows Vintners

Fermented and aged for 10 months in 30% new and 20% neutral French Oak barrels, and 50% in a French egg-shaped, concrete tank. Allen and Gilles share an affinity for Chardonnay and they have experimented for several years to perfect the style found in this wine. Elegant and layered with flavors and aromas of white peaches and baked apples complimented by hints of minerality and wet stone. Pure and balanced, it displays an impressive vibrant mouthfeel while staying rich and complex on the palate.

The Côté Nicault Rhône blend of equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre reflects winemaker Gilles Nicault's Rhône Valley heritage, bringing together his viticulture and winemaking training in the Old World with years of winemaking in the Columbia Valley. Columbia Valley winemakers enjoyed 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. Hand-picked grapes were partially whole-cluster fermented to enhance the finished wine's mouth feel, then each variety was individually fermented and aged in its own vessel to bring extra layers of complexity to the blending table. Mourvèdre was aged in a French concrete egg to enhance the wine's minerality and bring out an appealing note of crushed white pepper. Grenache was fermented and aged in an oversized 500L oak barrel to capture its delicate, perfume-scented aromas. To complement the Syrah's intensity, the wine was aged in a combination of new and used French oak barrels, capturing the grapes' dark, savory character. After 18 months of aging, the final blend was assembled and the wine was bottled. The 2012 Côté Nicault GSM is a deep, inky colored wine with a broad flavor profile ranging from fresh, vibrant fruits like figs and plums to more savory notes of black olive tapenade and crushed white pepper. Polished tannins dance across a seamless mouth feel to express classic spiciness, while the wine's liveliness balances beautifully with its firm yet refined texture. 94 Points - Wine Advocate.

Inspired by the great wines of Germany and winemaker Armin Diel, one of the most highly acclaimed Riesling producers and proprietor of the renowned Schlossgut Diel. The 2015 vintage was another hot growing season that required extra care in the vineyard to preserve the Riesling's fresh, bright character. Building on the success of our canopy management program the last few vintages, we worked with growers throughout the season to encourage growth of the canes and outside foliage to protect against the sun while opening up the fruit zone for even maturation. Warm temperatures in the fall hastened ripening, but the Columbia Valley's cool autumn nights gave us fresh, ripe fruit with balanced natural acidity. Fresh and lively, the 2015 Poet's Leap is a beautifully balanced wine offering generous kumquat aromas and flavors, complemented by a distinctive streak of minerality. A hint of residual sugar and mouthwatering natural acidity combine to create a vibrant impression that lingers on the finish. 91 Points - Wine Spectator.

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. A warm, dry spring arrived early in 2014 and set the stage for another hot summer season. Temperatures were consistently warm throughout June and July without any notable heat spikes, hastening an early start to harvest. But the Columbia Valley's trademark balmy fall days and cool autumn nights allowed the grapes to reach full physiological maturity while preserving the fruits' natural acidity and yielding high quality grapes across the board. In short, 2014 was a picture-perfect vintage that produced remarkably rich, flavorful wines. Hand-harvested grapes were brought to the winery in small lots and crushed, then using a technique known as saignée, 5-10% of the juice was removed from the tank to enhance concentration. Extended maceration in small, two-ton tanks for an average of 30 days provided for optimal extraction and helped broaden the finished wine's mid-palate. Aged 18 months in 100% French oak barrels, 55% new. An intensely colored wine with red current and cassis aromas wrapped around a core of licorice. Soft and silky on the entry, the 2014 Saggi is a flavorful package loaded with wild berries, fresh plums and hints of oak spice complemented by the wine's lively acidity and firmly textured mid-palate that turns silky on the finish.

Michel Rolland, Pomerol vintner and consultant to many of the world's top wineries, teamed with Washington State wine visionary Allen Shoup to produce this limited release wine. The 2013 growing season started with an early bud break followed by consistently dry, warm weather that lasted until rainfall moved across the Columbia Valley in mid-June. The precipitation allowed the vines to establish a solid canopy that proved useful when temperatures reached 100 degrees immediately following the rains. With a protective exterior canopy, we were able to open the interior canopy to allow uniform ripening in the fruit zone. As temperatures cooled in September, the extended hang time allowed grape flavors to fully mature. This deeply concentrated wine boasts rich, ripe aromas of blackberry cobbler and violets complemented by intriguing spice components. The lush, complex palate is balanced beautifully by ample acidity and creamy oak nuances. Tannins are firm, yet supple and will integrate seamlessly as the wine ages. 94 Points - Wine Advocate  .

Napa Valley vintner, Randy Dunn, brings his artistry and expertise to Washington State to produce small quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Columbia Valley's finest vineyards. His reputation for producing world-class Cabernet spans more than four decades. After making wines at Caymus from 1975-1985, Randy established Dunn Vineyards on Howell Mountain where he continues to craft distinctive wines of high acclaim. The 2013 growing season started with an early bud break followed by consistently dry, warm weather that lasted until rainfall moved across the Columbia Valley in mid-June. The precipitation allowed the vines to establish a solid canopy that proved useful when temperatures reached 100 degrees immediately following the rains. With a protective exterior canopy, we were able to open the interior canopy to allow uniform ripening in the fruit zone. As temperatures cooled in September, the extended hang time allowed grape flavors to fully mature. This deeply layered Cabernet offers bright aromas of dark berry fruits with hints of earth and graphite that gently accent flavors of French prune and sweet spice. A silky wine with rich texture and a viscous mouthfeel that extends from midpalate throughout its lengthy finish. 92+ Points - Wine Advocate.

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. The 2014 growing season got underway early with a warm, dry spring that set the stage for another hot vintage. Consistently warm temperatures throughout the summer resulted in an early start to harvest as well, but the Columbia Valley's trademark balmy fall days and cool autumn nights allowed the grapes to reach full physiological maturity while preserving the fruits' natural acidity to yield high quality grapes across the board. In short, a picture-perfect growing season that produced remarkably rich, flavorful wines. An intensely flavored and colored wine, with a range of aromatic spices including nutmeg and cardamom. Rich in texture, the 2014 Sequel is packed with vibrant blackberry and cherry flavors that combine with delicious hints of roasted meats and black olive tapenade. A rich, seamless beauty with a vibrant, lively finish

Michel Rolland, Pomerol vintner and consultant to many of the world's top wineries, teamed with Washington State wine visionary Allen Shoup to produce this limited release wine. The 2013 growing season started with an early bud break followed by consistently dry, warm weather that lasted until rainfall moved across the Columbia Valley in mid-June. The precipitation allowed the vines to establish a solid canopy that proved useful when temperatures reached 100 degrees immediately following the rains. With a protective exterior canopy, we were able to open the interior canopy to allow uniform ripening in the fruit zone. As temperatures cooled in September, the extended hang time allowed grape flavors to fully mature. This deeply concentrated wine boasts rich, ripe aromas of blackberry cobbler and violets complemented by intriguing spice components. The lush, complex palate is balanced beautifully by ample acidity and creamy oak nuances. Tannins are firm, yet supple and will integrate seamlessly as the wine ages. 94 Points - Wine Advocate

Napa Valley vintner, Randy Dunn, brings his artistry and expertise to Washington State to produce small quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Columbia Valley's finest vineyards. His reputation for producing world-class Cabernet spans more than four decades. After making wines at Caymus from 1975-1985, Randy established Dunn Vineyards on Howell Mountain where he continues to craft distinctive wines of high acclaim. The 2013 growing season started with an early bud break followed by consistently dry, warm weather that lasted until rainfall moved across the Columbia Valley in mid-June. The precipitation allowed the vines to establish a solid canopy that proved useful when temperatures reached 100 degrees immediately following the rains. With a protective exterior canopy, we were able to open the interior canopy to allow uniform ripening in the fruit zone. As temperatures cooled in September, the extended hang time allowed grape flavors to fully mature. This deeply layered Cabernet offers bright aromas of dark berry fruits with hints of earth and graphite that gently accent flavors of French prune and sweet spice. A silky wine with rich texture and a viscous mouthfeel that extends from midpalate throughout its lengthy finish. 92+ Points - Wine Advocate