The 2006 Pirouette features winemakers Agustin Huneeus and Philippe Melka. It is composed of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 15% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 5% Syrah aged for 22 months in 70% new French oak. Saturated purple in color, it offers aromas of wood smoke, earth notes, spice box, plum, black currant, and blueberry. The wine is seamless upon entry with incipient complexity and the structure to evolve for 5-7 years. It will offer a drinking window extending 2015 to 2031. For the third straight year, every wine in this portfolio has achieved an outstanding rating. For this, the credit goes to Alan Shoup who put it all together and Gilles Nicault who handles the winemaking on a day-to-day basis. Long Shadows is the brainchild of Alan Shoup, former longtime CEO of Stimson Lane. It is a consortium of seven different labels, each with its own star winemaker who has a 25% share in the brand. The concept is that each “?is dedicated to producing a single Columbia Valley wine representing a ‘best of type’ that reflects the winemaker’s signature style.” Tel. (509) 526-0905; www.longshadows.com

Concentrated and focused, it is expressive right out of the bottle, supple and clearly defined. Floral, darkly fruited, bursting with black cherry and cassis, detailed with licorice and stone, this excellent wine will be difficult to put away for aging, but well worth the effort. ——P.G.(3/1/2010)—— 93