Founded in 2003 by Washington State wine visionary Allen Shoup, the mindset behind the Long Shadows winery is quite simple; obtain the best grapes and get them into the hands of the best winemakers. However, easier said than done. Each of the Long Shadows wines have a different label, a different name, and a different winemaker. To make the best Merlot in Washington State, Allen Shoup employed the master of Merlot (Michel Rolland) and developed the Pedestal label. To get the best Cabernet Sauvignon, he brought on Randy Dunn and created the Feather Cabernet. And to make the best Washington State equal to Opus One or Joseph Phelps Insignia, he got Philippe Melka to create Pirouette, a Cabernet Sauvignon-driven blend!
Philippe Melka is a master of Cabernet Sauvignon and blends, and has crafted several wines that have earned 100 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. He has been trained and influenced by some of the most notable personalities in the wine world, including Jean Delmas and Jean Philippe Masclef from Haut-Brion, Christian Moueix and Jean Claude Berrouet from Petrus, Paul Draper from Ridge, Daniel Baron from Silver Oak. For Pirouette, a variety of fermentation methods were used to enhance complexity and richness in this classic Bordeaux blend. Hand-harvested Cabernet was fermented in 400L French oak barrels that were gently rolled throughout fermentation to integrate the oak with refined, dark fruit flavors and give the wine its silky mouthfeel. All other varieties were fermented in traditional stainless steel tanks, with select lots enjoying longer skin contact to enhance the wine's dark color and mid-palate. The finished wine was aged 22 months in French oak barrels (75% new) before bottling unfiltered and unfined.
JEB DUNNUCK 94+ POINTS - "The 2019 Pirouette is a mix of 56% Cab, 33% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Malbec and Petit Verdot. Currants, spicy oak, burning embers, and smoked tobacco are just some of its nuances, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, building, chalky tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It needs 3-4 years in the cellar, but it’s terrific."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 95 POINTS - "Composed of just over 50% Cabernet Sauvignon with 33% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2019 Pirouette starts with a firm backbone of fresh dark red and black fruit tones that waft with dusty florals and succulent oak spices. Full-bodied and with layers of juicy plums, blackberry jus, vanilla and cardamom madeleines, the palate reveals a balanced structure, succulent acidity and fine-grained tannins. The wine glides to a refined and long-lingering finish and will continue to drink well and remain food-friendly for over two decades. Just over 30,000 bottles were filled after the wine rested for just under two years in all French oak, 85% new. Give it a try!"
Philippe Melka is a master of Cabernet Sauvignon and blends, and has crafted several wines that have earned 100 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. He has been trained and influenced by some of the most notable personalities in the wine world, including Jean Delmas and Jean Philippe Masclef from Haut-Brion, Christian Moueix and Jean Claude Berrouet from Petrus, Paul Draper from Ridge, Daniel Baron from Silver Oak. For Pirouette, a variety of fermentation methods were used to enhance complexity and richness in this classic Bordeaux blend. Hand-harvested Cabernet was fermented in 400L French oak barrels that were gently rolled throughout fermentation to integrate the oak with refined, dark fruit flavors and give the wine its silky mouthfeel. All other varieties were fermented in traditional stainless steel tanks, with select lots enjoying longer skin contact to enhance the wine's dark color and mid-palate. The finished wine was aged 22 months in French oak barrels (75% new) before bottling unfiltered and unfined.
JEB DUNNUCK 94+ POINTS - "The 2019 Pirouette is a mix of 56% Cab, 33% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Malbec and Petit Verdot. Currants, spicy oak, burning embers, and smoked tobacco are just some of its nuances, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, building, chalky tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It needs 3-4 years in the cellar, but it’s terrific."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 95 POINTS - "Composed of just over 50% Cabernet Sauvignon with 33% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2019 Pirouette starts with a firm backbone of fresh dark red and black fruit tones that waft with dusty florals and succulent oak spices. Full-bodied and with layers of juicy plums, blackberry jus, vanilla and cardamom madeleines, the palate reveals a balanced structure, succulent acidity and fine-grained tannins. The wine glides to a refined and long-lingering finish and will continue to drink well and remain food-friendly for over two decades. Just over 30,000 bottles were filled after the wine rested for just under two years in all French oak, 85% new. Give it a try!"
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