The 2006 Pedestal features Michel Rolland who was at Long Shadows on the day of my tasting to do some blending. His wine is 86% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec aged for 22 months in 85% new French oak. Purple-colored, it offers an alluring bouquet of sandalwood, pencil lead, spice box, incense, black currants, and black cherry. Seamless on the palate, this plush wine has layers of ripe, savory flavors, well-concealed tannin, excellent aging potential, and a 60-second finish. It will provide much pleasure between 2013 and 2026. 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

The best Pedestal since the 2003. The focus is immediately apparent, with dark, toasty scents and flavors wrapped into ripe black fruits. The generous (85% new) French oak aging brings in clove, licorice and smoky spice, but the fruit has the muscle and breadth necessary to keep it all harmonious.——P.G.(9/1/2009)—— 93