Notes from the Winemaker
Allen Shoup named this wine in honor of his grandfather, Charles Chester, and his grandmother, Maggie Kidder. He has a purpose in mind; a vision really, and that is to make a wine that says, "this is how good Washington wine can be." Allen selected Gilles Nicault, former winemaker for Woodward Canyon, to bring the vision to fruition.
Aromas of dried figs and cocoa powder, along with hints of tamarind and toasty oak are followed by intense violet and blueberry jam flavors beautifully integrated around a spicy core.
Varietal Composition:
45% Cabernet Sauvignon
36% Syrah
10% Petit Verdot
9% Cabernet Franc
Ratings & Reviews
93 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate "The 2006 Chester-Kidder Red Wine is produced by Gilles Nicault, resident winemaker who also oversees the daily upbringing of all the Long Shadows wines. The latest Chester-Kidder is composed of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Syrah, 10% Petit Verdot, and 9% Cabernet Franc sourced from multiple AVAs. Medium purple-colored, it sports an inviting perfume of sandalwood, smoke, spice box, lavender, blueberry, and blackberry. The Syrah component gives it a forward personality but there is enough structure for several years of further development. Layered, savory, and concentrated, this lengthy effort will offer a drinking window extending from 2013 to 2027.
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." - Jay Miller (Aug 2010)
93 Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:"Excellent bright ruby-red. Deep aromas of blackcurrant, licorice, spices and leather. Suave on entry, then primary, deep and sweet, with a penetrating quality to the rich dark berry, spice and mint flavors. This one has a tightly coiled spring and underlying minerality that suggest it will be long-lived. Finishes clenched in a positive way, with a rising finish and broad, integrated tannins. This is the project of Gilles Nicault, who also serves as the resident winemaker for the Long Shadows project. Following a very long maceration, the wine was racked only a total of four times before being bottled after 30 months in barrel. Incidentally, Nicault describes 2006 as "a beautiful vintage," and points out that these wines were made in a new facility that permitted a double sorting of the fruit prior to vinification. " - Stephen Tanzer (Nov/Dec '09)
92 Points & "Cellar Selection" - Wine Enthusiast Magazine:
"The blend in 2006 is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Syrah, 10% Petit Verdot and 9% Cabernet Franc. It spent 30 months in 90% new oak. Released a year ago, it has a feminine grace and softness in the aromas, a lovely mix of flowers and spice. The Syrah brightens up the fruit, accenting berry flavors with a hint of pepper, while the Petit Verdot adds clover and violet aromas and density to the tannins." — P.G. (12/31/2010)
90 Points - Wine Spectator Magazine:"There's ample flesh under a layer of crisp tannins, singing with pretty blackberry, currant and spice flavors that glow nicely underneath. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2014. 1,689 cases made." –HS (Oct 31, 2010)
