The 2007 Saggi is a multi-regional blend of 43% Sangiovese, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 21% Syrah. It was aged for 18 months in 55% new French oak. Deep purple colored, it displays an expressive perfume of cedar, Asian spices, black cherry, and cassis. Supple and round on the palate, this savory offering has excellent volume, plenty of concentration, and enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years. It will drink nicely over the next 8-10 years. Long Shadows and its seven labels, each with its own star winemaker, is just the beginning of Alan Shoup’s visionary project. He has purchased controlling interest in the Wallulla Vineyard from the Den Hoed brothers who developed it and who will continue to manage this huge project on the cliffs overlooking the Columbia River. Shoup has renamed it The Benches. It must be seen to be believed, encompassing 20 miles of road carved through the development. Shoup’s plan is to have each Long Shadow label have its own cave built into the landscape. Some fruit from the Benches is already being incorporated into some of the Long Shadows wines. Armin Diel is the winemaker/partner in the Poet’s Leap label. The Saggi label is produced by Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari. Tel. (509) 526-0905; www.longshadows.com

Saggi is the super Tuscan entry in the Long Shadows portfolio, made by Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari. Here it is a blend of 45% Sangiovese, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah —not much different from 2007. Smoky in the nose, broadly fruity in the mouth, with an attractive mix of black cherry fruit and bacon fat highlights. It fades a bit in the finish, and there is just the faintest hint of onion. ——P.G.(2/1/2012)—— 90