Long Boat

Long Shadows Vintners

Pedestal Columbia Valley Merlot 2016

It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!


Dark Inky in color with a reddish/ purplish rim.

Fruity nose of black currants, black plums, cooked cherries, light dried fruits, cedar, light vanilla, herbs, licorice, spices, dark chocolates and light cola notes.

Full bodied and elegant, with medium acidity.

Dry and fruity on the palate with plums, black cherries, black currants, bitter herbs, earth, chocolates, cedar, eucalyptus, tobacco leaf, peppercorn and light vegetables.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a wonderful Merlot from Columbia Valley. Soft and fruit forward. Rich and nicely balanced.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 90 minutes of air time.

This 8 year old Merlot is complex and spicy. Really enjoyed the nose at this point, and the high alcohol is well integrated by now.

Easy drinking and a good sipping wine. Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

I had this vintage a few times before, and it is always delicious. I just love Michel Rolland wines.

A blend of 75% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. Aged for 22 months in French oak barrels (85% new).

14.9% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$75.
— 21 days ago

Dawn, Jose and 14 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2006

Double decanted two nights before service. The 2006 pours a deep, slightly hazy garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of desiccated fruit and funky umami notes: bruised and desiccated strawberry, red rope licorice, nori, Cherry Dr. Pepper, cracked black pepper and leather. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is forever long and saline; it just hangs around forever. Initially, this came across as bit backward but it really gained power and character the more time it spent in the glass. Drink now with patience and through 2036. — 4 days ago

Bob, Tom and 14 others liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2001

Has finally entered a the period to enjoy with patience rewarded. A nice nose of earth, dark berries, and florals. Nice long finish with a bit of plum coming through. An hour decant to the benefit of the wine. — a month ago

Ron, David and 8 others liked this

Long Shadows Vintners

Chester-Kidder Columbia Valley Red Blend 2015

Tremendous red blend. Bold and silky. Chewy. Great legs and big nose. Decanted. Drink slow. — 8 days ago

Shay liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

Part of a Chateau Mouton Rothschild vertical from 1988-1990. Early on, this was a probably my favorite of the three Moutons and showed well throughout the course of the evening. Expressive red and dark forest fruits with tobacco, leather, earth and baking spices. The structure was still showing its tensile strength. This has a long life ahead. Drink now through 2040. — 13 days ago

Jan, Ira and 10 others liked this

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1988

Medium ruby , hint of garnet , slight narrower rim , more garnet hue . Quite mineral , herbal tinged blackcurrant, seaside scents . Slightly aloof and austere, though this improves with time in the decanter . However on the palate this opens up with classic cedar tinged dark fruits , blackcurrant, grafite , sea shell and saline tinged. Complex , complete , classic , grafite and mineral tinged with pretty long length finish . Still slightly grippy tannins but these are well integrated and quite polished , fresh balanced acidity. This shows very well and is just coming into its prime drinking window, this also held up very well in decanter for the 4 hours we had it open , always retaining great freshness and verve. From now and over the next 10 to 15 years perhaps . — 16 days ago

Jan, Anthony and 8 others liked this
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Had this last night (only other time was 4-5yrs ago) and both showed extremely green aromatics. Classical Lafite elegance on the palate.
Andrew Cullimore

Andrew Cullimore Premium Badge

Yes @Shay A i think it showed better on the palate , as you say very classic Lafite , aroma was really quite discreet and austere , just wonder whether this will step up a gear with a little more time in the cellar

Long Shadows Vintners

Pirouette Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Pours deep rich red. Initial mild dark fruit quickly changes to a quick burst of baking spices and cherries and then changes to a dryness of plums. Some soft tannins on the back. Love the changing layers. — a month ago

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2006

Served alongside beef short rib, xo sauce, pickled mustard seed, cumin stir-fried asparagus. This bottle of 2006 was throwing a ton of sediment. Showing mostly red fruits with red currants, new leather, tobacco, earth, forest floor, baking spices…a touch green. Hello Cabernet Franc!! Good structure. The finish is long. Every time I have the opportunity to enjoy Sassicaia, I am reminded why it’s one of the great wines of Italy. I just wish it wasn’t so expensive. Drink now through 2036. — 13 days ago

Ira, Jan and 15 others liked this

Clos des Papes

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2001

2001 vintage. Nice fill and great cork. Opened and decanted. Expected sed but fairly minimal compared to a Cabernet-based wine. Beguiling nose. Light-medium body that had dropped any extra fat long ago. Spiced plum definitely afoot. Tasted after 15 mins open, 1 hour open, 1.5 hrs open and 8 hrs open. Remarkably consistent. Likely another half-decade at this plateau before dropping down. 10.16.24. — a month ago

Pinotman, Ron and 16 others liked this
Norman Gennaro

Norman Gennaro Premium Badge

These always seem to be delicious.

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2004

An outstanding wine that is drinking very well now. Powerful, but smooth and refined. Blackberries, cassis, dark chocolate, truffles, and cedar. Long, satisfying finish. — 2 months ago