The 2007 Chester-Kidder Red Wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Syrah, 14% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc aged for 30 months in 100% new French oak. The winemaker is Gilles Nicault, who oversees all seven Long Shadows labels on a daily basis. Aromas of pain grille, mineral, pepper, meat, incense, violets, blueberry, and blackberry inform the nose of a dense, layered, succulent wine that will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring. This tasty offering will deliver optimum drinking from 2013 to 2023. 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. www.longshadows.com

This ups the percentage of Cabernet to 60%, with 25% Syrah, 14% Petit Verdot and just 1% Cabernet Franc. Released almost a full year later than the other Long Shadows reds, it is well-integrated and focused, with high-toned black cherry fruit set in dusty tannins. Scents of sandalwood drift through, along with cocoa and spice. As good or even better than the outstanding 2006. ——P.G.(2/1/2012)—— 93