The 2005 Saggi is made by Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari of the well-known Tuscan family whose winemaking history dates back to the late 1700s. The wine is made up of 45% Sangiovese, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Syrah aged for 16 months in 70% new French oak. This purple-colored wine offers aromas of pain grille, spice box, earth notes, black cherry, and blueberry. Smooth-textured, layered, and ripe, this well-balanced effort has gobs of savory fruit, excellent depth and concentration, and a lengthy finish. It should be in its prime from 2012 to 2020. Long Shadows is the brainchild of Alan Shoup, longtime CEO of Chateau Ste-Michelle. 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.” For the second 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. Tel. (425) 467-9398; www.longshadows.com

This is the second vintage for Saggi, the newest Long Shadows collaboration, this one with Tuscany’s Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari. The blend is again in the super Tuscan mold—45% Sangiovese, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Syrah. Smooth, chocolaty and ripe, the wine is loaded with purple fruits, the flavors elegant and refined, bringing a lovely mix of fruit, barrel, spice and leaf together seamlessly.——P.G.(5/1/2008)—— 90