Long Shadows Pirouette 2021

In the glass, the 2021 Pirouette presents a strikingly deep and alluring color. Its bouquet is a harmonious blend of vibrant aromas, including ripe plums, cassis, violets, grilled herbs, and incense. On the palate, this wine reveals its full-bodied character, with a luxurious texture and sturdy backbone. Dark fruit flavors and refined tannins provide a wonderful balance of opulence and elegance. The finish is a testament to its sophistication, as the lingering notes of dark chocolate elegantly round off each sip, leaving a lasting impression.

A selection of top Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards and a small amount of Stone Tree Vineyard Cabernet give Pirouette structure and ripe fruit character. Layered complexity builds with the addition of Red Mountain Merlot, bringing suppleness and texture. Petit Verdot from Dionysus Vineyard lends cassis, and finally, a small amount of Weinbau Vineyard Malbec contributes a dark, spicy note to the finished wine.

The 2021 vintage will be remembered for low yields and extreme temperatures stretching from late June to the beginning of July. The early summer heat wave was followed by ideal weather, with warm days and cool nights extending well into October. The combination of low yields and extra hang time allowed the grapes to reach full physiological maturity, resulting in a vintage marked by balanced wines with great concentration and flavor.

Hand-harvested grapes were sorted and then underwent a variety of fermentation techniques to build layers of complexity and richness in the blend. Cabernet Sauvignon fermented in 400L French oak barrels was gently rolled throughout fermentation to integrate fruit and oak while developing rich, supple tannins. All other varieties were fermented in stainless steel tanks, with select lots enjoying longer skin contact to enhance the wine’s dark color and rich mid-palate. Aged 22 months in all French oak barrels, 80% new.

Long Shadows Vintners was founded in 2002 by Washington wine visionary Allen Shoup, who was President and CEO of Chateau Ste. Michelle from 1984-2000 forged internationally acclaimed winemaking partnerships with Piero Antinori (Col Solare) and Dr. Ernst Loosen (Eroica Riesling).  Long Shadows Vintners now builds upon those successes by bringing an elite cadre of the world’s most celebrated winemakers from the finest wine regions around the globe to Washington in order to create world class wines that showcase the viticultural excellence of Washington State’s Columbia Valley. Each celebrated vintner partners individually with Shoup and resident winemaker Gilles Nicault on a distinct winemaking program to produce a single “best of type” wine under a unique label.  These include: Pedestal Merlot by Michel Rolland (international consultant and owner of Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol); Sequel Syrah by John Duval (formerly of Penfold’s Grange, South Australia); Poet’s Leap Riesling by Armin Diel (Schlossgut Diel, Nahe, Germany); Pirouette by Agustin Huneeus (Quintessa, Napa Valley) and Philippe Melka (Bryant Family, Napa Valley); Chester-Kidder by Allen Shoup and Gilles Nicault (former winemaker at Woodward Canyon, Walla Walla Valley); and Feather by Randy Dunn (Dunn Vineyards, Napa Valley, formerly of Caymus), and Saggi by Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari (A. & G. Folonari Tenute). Long Shadows is named in tribute to the stature of this select group of individuals, who continue to shape the wine industry with their benchmark wines and wineries.