Pedestal Merlot 04 from Longshadows |
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$53.95 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles) Price: $59.95 Pedestal Merlot 04 from Longshadows: ROBERT PARKER WINE ADVOCATE 94 POINTS Wine Spectator 93 points. Dense and focused, yet balances deftly enough to let the currant, cherry and black raspberry fruit pierce through a veil of crisp tannins. Has power without excessive weight. The finish lingers extraordinarily well. Best from 2009 through 2014. 1,624 cases made. -HS 77% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot The Pedestal Merlot '04 is an impressive wine from the beginning, from its ornate label to the deep color of the wine. Stunning, classic Washington Merlot aromas of plums, cassis, and tobacco leaf explode from the glass, nicely framed by a toasty blue-fruit-vanilla-bean perfume. This is an opulent, expansive Merlot with flavors of ripe plums, sweet blueberry, dark cherries, and cassis, giving way to leather, minerals and more fruit layers on the finish. Lively acidity and super-fine tannins provide a structure that will reward years in the cellar. With time in the glass, the Pedestal's depth evolves as darker fruit and barrel spices show. This is a highly-collectible, Aston Martin of a Merlot--beautifully-styled, rare, powerful, crafted impeccably. -marcus +++++++++++++++ Nose- Intense scent of black fruit, sweet & rich tobacco leaf, spicy cedar incense, and toast. Flavors- Tremendously complex layering makes this everything most new world Merlot is not- this is not a simple wine by any measure. Layers of different berry, cherry, and currant fruit flavors mingle with toasted espresso bean, bittersweet cocoa, exotic cedar incense and spice, and vanilla bean. The flavors are complemented by a lush, velvety mouthfeel, an uplifting, refreshing acidity that accentuates the complexity of the wine, and beautifully integrated tannins, balanced and unobtrusive, but present and indicating that this will be along-lived wine. Such a rich, lush wine can be out of balance, but not this one. The big, uplifting acidity matches the silky tannins and huge flavors, reiterating the complexity and suitability for aging. The wine has a remarkable complexity of layers and range of flavors. Finish- On the finish, hints of fresh saddle leather and minerals add to the fruit flavors. As the fruit diminishes, the sense of intense spice, sweet tobacco, and bittersweet chocolate become more pronounced. Hype aside, this is one of the best wines ever made in Washington State. Michel Rolland marries his deep knowledge of Bordeaux with the flamboyant richness, intensity, and ripeness of the New World in this Petrus-like wine. This wine is a complex, satisfying showstopper. -jean Food Pairings: Not currently available to order. |
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Detailed Info, Previous Vintage Notes, Reviews: |
| Winemaker's Tasting notes: Michel Rolland, Pomerol vintner and consultant to many of the world's most famous wineries, teamed with Washington State wine pioneer Allen Shoup to produce the second vintage of this limited release wine. Tasting Notes: Intense cherry, blackberry and baking spice aromas and flavors are woven throughout layers of ripe tannins resulting in a full bodied Merlot with a great concentration of flavors and richness that carry across a lengthy finish. Vintage: Because of a harsh January freeze that left everyone anxious about damage to the vines, the 2004 vintage required meticulous care in the vineyard. Those who did, including Long Shadows vintners, were rewarded with wonderfully ripe, well-balanced wines. We asked growers to prune to two buds in the early spring, thin at bloom, thin again and drop green clusters at verasion; and finally, leaf thin in September to open up the canopy and promote even ripening. As a result, Long Shadows' blocks averaged 1 - 2 tons per acre, just slightly less than a "typical" year. This, combined with warm summer temperatures and an extended growing season proved ideal conditions for ripening grapes fully, yielding flavorful, balanced wines. Winemaking: Grapes were allowed to hang as long as possible for extra richness and ripeness, then hand-harvested and delivered to the winery where the fruit was de-stemmed but not crushed to avoid harsh tannins and preserve fruit character. After fermentation, grapes were moved to French oak barrels for 23 months. Rolland carefully selected the coopers himself calling for Merlot to age in Sylvain barrels for elegance and to help polish the mid-palate; Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc rested in Seguin Moreau and Saury barrels to stand-up to the wines' tannins and impart density and richness. Vineyards: Pedestal's 2004 vineyard sources were selected to produce a rich, jammy, fruit-forward wine. Primary vineyard sources included Alder Ridge (30%) in the Horse Heaven Hills, giving the wine elegance and wonderful aromatics, Weinbau Vineyard (24%) on the Wahluke Slope adding ripe black fruit and richness and Wallula Vineyard (21%), delivering deep flavors and complexity. 2003 Vintage Reviews & tasting notes 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. " 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. |
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