Pedestal Merlot 03 MAGNUM $119.95a: Magnum (1500 ml)
Wine Advocate rating 94 points: "None other than Michel Rolland, of Pomerol and flying winemaker fame, is at the helm of this Long Shadows consortium winery. A firm believer in ripe tannin and gentle winemaking to promote fruit flavors and avoid harshness or edginess, Rolland must have loved the long hang-times possible in Washington State's Columbia Valley. The 2003 Pedestal (553 cases) sports a deep nose of ripe cherries and toasty oak. Fashioned from 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, this beauty broadens on the palate to reveal lush layers of thick, silky-textured red fruits. Pure, concentrated, and medium to full-bodied, it is an engaging, hedonistic wine. Drink it over the next 12-15 years. "
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Detailed Info, Previous Vintage Notes, Reviews:
From LongShadows Winery Group
Wine Spectator rating 92 points: "Big, rich and generous, a lavish mouthful of currant, blackberry and a touch of spice and earth that weave through the finish and linger. First wine from a partnership involving Michel Rolland in Washington. Best from 2007 through 2013." -H.S.
Layers of rich currant and blueberry flavors, complimented by hints of mocha, cedar and spice. Pedestal is a uniquely structured wine that offers an alluring balance of intensity and finesse.
Michel crafted Pedestal with Merlot from the Alder Ridge, Dionysus and Conner Lee Vineyards. Alder Ridge produces elegant fruit that captures the aromas of the Horse Heaven Hills terroir. The mature plantings of Dionysus, with their developed roots, supply dense, dark fruit - and Conner Lee contributes acid balance and enhanced black fruit characteristics. Cabernet Sauvignon from the Yakima Valley adds structure and a small percentage of grapes from Ciel du Cheval on Red Mountain provide extra balance and depth.
75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot.
Known for his penchant for rich, jammy, fruit-forward wines, Michel found the Columbia Valley's 2003 vintage exactly to his liking. This was one of Washington's warmest seasons on record with overall heat accumulation rivaling the high numbers posted in 1998. Temperatures were consistently warm from June through August giving the vines time to acclimate to the temperatures and allowing grapes and flavors to ripen at an even pace. In short, 2003 was another remarkable Columbia Valley vintage from start to finish and a perfect year for Rolland to style a complex, showy wine exactly to his taste.
