Long Shadows Pirouette 2016 with beef roast
After enjoying the Long Shadows Pirouette 2014 at Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Linda prepared a beef roast and I pulled out the next vintage release of this label to enjoy, and compare with the earlier vintage in a mini-vertical comparison tasting.
This is the Bordeaux varietal red blend from the Long Shadows Vintners's Collection that features world class winemakers and Washington State Columbia Valley fruit. We’ve featured Long Shadows and their vintners collection, and our visit to their hospitality center and tasting room in Woodinville (WA) in these pages.
We’re members of the Long Shadows wine club and hold nearly a decade of vintages of their various label releases.
Checking our cellar inventory, we hold nearly a decade of vintages of this label so we pulled the oldest in our holdings, and one year adjacent to following the earlier release tasting.
Long Shadows "Pirouette" Columbia Valley Bordeaux Blend 2016
Winemaker notes - “A richly aromatic wine with beautiful notes of cassis, toasted walnuts, fresh rosemary and a hint of earthiness. On the palate, silky tannins create an elegant, textured mouthfeel with layers of blackberry, ripe cherry, dark chocolate and a hint of oak spice that gain focus across a vibrant finish.”
Long Shadows "Pirouette" Columbia Valley Bordeaux Blend 2016
The 2016 Pirouette a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec. It as fermented in barrel and aged 22 months in 75% new oak. 2,188 cases were produced.
“It is sourced from Red Mountain, praised for its Cabernet Sauvignon and this wine displays all the structure and textured richness that has come to characterize the grapes from this acclaimed growing region. Dionysus Vineyard's Petit Verdot adds layers of complex aromas and flavors. The remainder of the blend is from select Wahluke Slope vineyards. The Merlot brings juicy richness to the finished wine; Cabernet Franc adds a hint of earthiness; and Malbec contributes appealing spice and beautiful color.”
At nearing ten years of age, this is most likely at the apex of its drinking profile and window, but will continue to age gracefully for up to another decade.
This was a blockbuster release, rated 97 points by Jeb Dunnuck, 93 by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar and Wine & Spirits, 91 by Wine Enthusiast, 90 by James Suckling and Wine Spectator.
Dunnuck said this was “another best-to-date from this estate”.
Dark garnet colored full bodied, deep, concentrated, forward round, ripe blackberry and black currant fruits, notes of black cherry notes of bitter dark chocolate, licorice, oak, tobacco leaf, hints of cinnamon nd clove spices and cedar with smooth tongue-saturating tannins.
