Founded by Washington wine pioneer Allen Shoup, Long Shadows Vintners is a collection of ultra-premium wineries comprised of internationally acclaimed winemakers from the major wine regions of the world. Each winemaker is a partner in a unique winery dedicated to producing a single Columbia Valley wine representing a 'best of type' that reflects the winemaker's signature style and the viticultural excellence of Washington State's Columbia Valley.
Long Shadows Vintners construct wines in their own style, and with their own complexity, while striving to improve upon their singular benchmarks. Beginning with the 2003 crush, they are crafting signature wines that carry great promise for years to come.
They have devoted hundreds of hours sampling the many wines originating from the most important vineyards, and chose those particular vineyards that fit the desired style and type of wines each hopes to create. Grapes from every sub-appellation of the Columbia Valley were selected to take the fullest advantage of the region's individual microclimates and terroirs.
Gilles Nicault, Winemaker
Long Shadows’ director of winemaking and viticulture, French-born Gilles earned a degree in winemaking at the University of Avignon. He has been making Columbia Valley wines since 1994. He worked for Wood ward Canyon from 1996-2003, before leaving to join Long Shadows.
Randy Dunn, Winemaker
Acclaimed Napa Valley vintner, Randy Dunn of Dunn Vineyards, has built a reputation for producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignons. He brings more than four decades of winemaking experience to the Columbia Valley to produce Feather, his only wine made outside of California.
Michel Rolland, Winemaker
Pomerol vintner and consultant to many of the world’s most famous wineries.
Agustin Huneeus, Sr. & Philippe Melka, Winemakers
When Allen Shoup invited long-time friend and colleague Agustin Huneeus (Quintessa, Napa Valley) to join Long Shadows, Agustin asked Philippe Melka to join him. One of Napa Valley’s top consulting winemakers, Philippe crafts such acclaimed wines as Hundred Acre, Seavey Vineyard, Dana Estates and Vineyard 29, among others, in addition to his own label.
Armin Diel, Winemaker
Proprietor of the renowned Schlossgut Diel in Germany’s Nahe Valley.
Ambrogio & Giovanni Folonari, Winemakers
Among Tuscany's oldest and most prestigious wine families with a winemaking history dating back to the late 1700s, Ambrogio Folonari and son Giovanni were former owners of Ruffino wine company. In the 1980s, Ambrogio was one of Italy’s first producers to make a Super Tuscan. Today, this father-son team produces high-end Tuscan wines under Ambrogio e Giovanni Folonari Tenute.
John Duval, Winemaker
John Duval made wines for Penfolds for 28 years, 16 of those years presiding over Australia’s most celebrated wine, Penfold s Grange. In 2002, he stepped down from Penfolds to establish John Duval Wines, and in 2003, he joined Long Shadows to make Sequel, his first U.S. wine and a name chosen by Long Shadows founder Allen Shoup to honor John’s life-long work with Syrah.
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.
Vineyards: As has been the case since Pedestal's debut in 2003, Conner Lee Vineyards Merlot plays a dominant role in crafting a dark, rich wine of uncommon character. Candy Mountain Merlot enhances the wine's complexity. Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, from Taptiel Vineyards, builds richness and structure. Dionysus Vineyard Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc give the wine its vibrant character.
Tasting Notes: With its intense color and inviting aromas of dark berries, licorice, baking spice and a hint of smoke, Pedestal is a bold wine that leaves a lasting impression. Dark fruit flavors integrated with sweetness from the barrel and richness from the tannins come together seamlessly, lingering across a structured mid-palate and lengthy finish.
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Item Number | Unit | Units/Case | Type | UPC - bottle | SCC - case | SRP/Unit |
W0EE864061MRM | 750ml | 6 | Glass | 7 84585 01069 1 | 1 07 84585 01069 8 | $69.00 |
W0CC864064MRM | 1.5L | 6 | Glass | 7 84585 01574 0 | 1 07 84585 01574 7 | $90.00 |
Winemaking: Hand-harvested grapes were double-sorted to remove green material that might impart harsh tannins, then most of the lots were cold soaked to build richness and flavor before undergoing whole-berry fermentation in 55L upright French wood tanks. This, combined with gentle pump-overs throughout fermentation, enhanced the wine’s color, texture and mouthfeel. The finished wine was aged 22 months in 85% new French oak barrels.
Alcohol: 15.1%
pH: 3.80
TA: 0.56
"The 2015 Pedestal Merlot from Long Shadows is a blend of 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Verdot aged 22 months in 85% new French oak barrels. Crème de cassis, wood smoke, scorched earth, and graphite characteristics all emerge from this rich, full-bodied, voluptuous beauty that has more mid-palate depth and richness than any other Merlot made in the state. With ample tannin, it will benefit from a year or three and keep for 15. It's a gorgeous wine."
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2018), 96 pts
"The 2015 Pedestal Merlot is a rich, dramatic wine that wafts from the glass with aromas of black cherries, crème de cassis, cigar tobacco and mocha. On the palate, it's broad, full-bodied and lavish, with ripe, generously oak-inflected flavors and an ample core of fruit, structured by fine-grained but youthfully chewy tannins, concluding with a sweet, spicy and somewhat heady finish. The most exotic and expressive wine in the Long Shadows range, it's crafted by Michel Rolland. - William Kelley"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #237, June 2018), 94 pts
"A very vivid and pure red with aromas of blackberries and blueberries. Hints of violets and licorice, too. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Shows tension and focus. Give it two or three years to soften. A blend of 75% merlot, 15% cabernet sauvignon and 10% petit verdot. Drink in 2020 and beyond."
- James Suckling (May 2018), 94 pts
"I loved the 2014 Pedestal Merlot and it’s 81% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. It offers a downright voluptuous and incredibly sexy style in its ripe black currants, toasted spice, chocolate and licorice aromas and flavors. Broad, expansive, layered and pleasure bent, with ripe tannin, it's a knockout Merlot that's going to have 10-15 years of drinkability. - Jeb Dunnuck"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #231, June 2017), 95 pts
"One of my favorites in the 2013 lineup is the 2013 Pedestal Merlot. Its deep purple color is followed by fabulous notes of plums, coffee beans, spice box and sweet oak in a full-bodied, decadent, ripe and expansive package. In general, Cabernet was more successful than Merlot in 2013, but you wouldn’t know it by tasting this beauty."
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #225, June 2016), 94 pts
"Red currant and darker berries complicated by graphite and licorice on the nose. Lush and seamless but with lovely inner-mouth lift and energy to its dark fruit and mineral flavors. This palate-staining Merlot will be a long ager. Finishes with big, tongue-coating tannins. - Stephen Tanzer."
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2016), 92+ pts
"The combined winemaking of global great Michel Rolland and Walla Walla’s Gilles Nicault has this merlot locked and loaded with great flavor and balance. The Long Shadows experiment of bringing the world to Washington is paying off."
- The Seattle Times (November 2016) - #1 of the Top 50 Regional Wines of 2016
"The 2012 Long Shadows 'Pedestal' is a magnicifiant Merlot made by famed Bordeaux wine consultant Michel Rolland, who has teamed up with Washington State wine visionary Allen Shoup to make one of the best Merlot’s you will come across. Composed of 81% Merlot with the rest Cab, Cab Franc and Petite Verdot. Nose has black cherry, dill and black olive. Rich and viscous wine with Flavors of mocha, black cherry, black olive and wonderful mouthfeel throughout. Delicious wine for a special occasion. Drinking incredibly now but also has a long future. (Best 2015-2030) - OB."
- International Wine Report (July 2015), 94 pts
"Made by Michel Rolland; the berries were very lightly crushed--winemaker/estate manager Gilles Nicault described them as "cracked"): Deep red-ruby. Redcurrant and darker berries complicated by graphite and licorice on the nose. Lush and seamless but with lovely inner-mouth lift and energy to its dark fruit and mineral flavors. A bit less expressive today than the Saggi but this palate-staining Merlot will be a long ager. Finishes with big, tongue-coating tannins. - Stephen Tanzer."
- Vinous (November 2015), 93 pts
"Washington State merlot possesses a vivid berryness that is immediately irresistible. That said, the top merlots here are not usually plush or "fat", but instead have a sleekness and tannin structure that makes them easily confused with top cabernet sauvignon. Among the top appellations are Columbia Valley, Walla Walla, Red Mountain, and Yakima Valley."
2012 Long Shadows Merlot Pedestal - #1 Washington Merlot - VIVINO, December 2016