Long Shadows Vintners Pedestal Columbia Valley Merlot 2016

$69.99

94 Point stunner from Washington    A stunning red from Washington State. Limited. 95 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2016 Pedestal from Michel Rolland checks in as a blend of 75% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot that spent 22 months in 85% new French oak. It has a rocking bouquet of smoked black fruits, espresso, chocolate, and tobacco that gives way to a full-bodied, plump, incredibly sexy red that does everything right. It's one serious mouthful of Merlot and should keep for 10-12 years....The talented Gilles Nicault continues to manage this estate and all its different cuvées brilliantly. The key factor to understand with these wines is that each is made with consulting advice from a different winemaker. Hence, the style of each is unique, yet the quality is top notch." previous vintage 95 Points Robert Parker: "I loved the Pedestal Merlot and it’s 81% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. It offers a downright voluptuous and incredibly sexy style in its ripe blackcurrants, toasted spice, chocolate and licorice aromas and flavors. Broad, expansive, layered and pleasure bent, with ripe tannin, it's a knockout Merlot that's going to have 10-15 years of drinkability...This estate has hit pay dirt with their 2013s and 2014s, and the quality here continues to skyrocket. While they bring in a who's who list of top winemakers for these cuvees, the day to day winemaking is handled by Gilles Nicault, who's an unquestionably terrific winemaker in his own right." From international wine consultant Michel Rolland and Washington State wine visionary Allen Shoup, this limited release Merlot has been a regular top-scoring favorite of critic Robert Parker.

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Ratings on Delectable

Sipping Fine Wine Delectable Pro

Blend of 75% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon & 4% Petit Verdot, aged 22 months in 85% new French oak, deep Ruby with aromas of rich berry fruit, herb and spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry & black cherry with sweet spice, vanilla, licorice & cacao notes, rich & tangy. Soft full tannins, long finish ending with oak, sweet spice & earthy herbs. Just starting to drink now, will cellar for a decade.

Blend of 75% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon & 4% Petit Verdot, aged 22 months in 85% new French oak, deep Ruby with aromas of rich berry fruit, herb and spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry & black cherry with sweet spice, vanilla, licorice & cacao notes, rich & tangy. Soft full tannins, long finish ending with oak, sweet spice & earthy herbs. Just starting to drink now, will cellar for a decade.

9.3

"Odedi" Delectable Pro

It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. This is a delicious Merlot from Columbia Valley. Big bold and beautiful. Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs. Showing black plums, black currants, tobacco, cedar, vanilla, licorice, chocolates, spices and coffee. Dry on the palate and very fruity. Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries. This 5 year old will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years. Extracted and bold. Fruit forward and opulent. Tasty and delicious. Good by itself or with food. I had it with cheeses, olives and fresh fruit, but will pair very nicely with a big piece of steak. A blend of 75% Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Aged for 22 months in French Oak barrels. 14.9% alcohol by volume. 93 points. $65.

It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. This is a delicious Merlot from Columbia Valley. Big bold and beautiful. Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs. Showing black plums, black currants, tobacco, cedar, vanilla, licorice, chocolates, spices and coffee. Dry on the palate and very fruity. Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries. This 5 year old will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years. Extracted and bold. Fruit forward and opulent. Tasty and delicious. Good by itself or with food. I had it with cheeses, olives and fresh fruit, but will pair very nicely with a big piece of steak. A blend of 75% Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Aged for 22 months in French Oak barrels. 14.9% alcohol by volume. 93 points. $65.

9.3

"Odedi" Delectable Pro

Time for a good Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Here's a delicious one from Washington State. Deep purple in color with a short purplish rim. Nose of black plums, cedar, chocolates, coffee, cooked cherries, leather, light vegetables, earth, licorice, black tea, tobacco and black pepper. Full bodied with medium acidity and long legs. Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cherries, chocolates, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco, light vegetables, pencil lead and peppercorn. Medium plus on the finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries. This is a very tasty Merlot from Columbia Valley. Nicely balanced with a great mouthfeel. Another delicious wine from Michel Rolland. Still young, but already tasty. Drinking very nicely now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years. Good by itself or with food. Good right out of the bottle, but better after an hour of airtime, as the complexity comes in. Showing nice complexity already. Wine Enthusiast 89 points. Tangy and interesting. A Delicious wine. A blend of 75% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. Aged for 22 months in (85% new) French Oak barrels. 14.9% alcohol by volume. 92 points. $65.

Time for a good Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Here's a delicious one from Washington State. Deep purple in color with a short purplish rim. Nose of black plums, cedar, chocolates, coffee, cooked cherries, leather, light vegetables, earth, licorice, black tea, tobacco and black pepper. Full bodied with medium acidity and long legs. Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cherries, chocolates, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco, light vegetables, pencil lead and peppercorn. Medium plus on the finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries. This is a very tasty Merlot from Columbia Valley. Nicely balanced with a great mouthfeel. Another delicious wine from Michel Rolland. Still young, but already tasty. Drinking very nicely now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years. Good by itself or with food. Good right out of the bottle, but better after an hour of airtime, as the complexity comes in. Showing nice complexity already. Wine Enthusiast 89 points. Tangy and interesting. A Delicious wine. A blend of 75% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. Aged for 22 months in (85% new) French Oak barrels. 14.9% alcohol by volume. 92 points. $65.

9.2

Rick Baumgarten Delectable Pro

Enjoyed at Zoom virtual vertical with Long Shadows owners and winemakers (and over 50 others). Made the wine even better. Small percentages of Cab and Petite Verdot add to the depth and complexity of the over 80% Merlot. Soft tannins, berries and hints of the oak tanks used, leave a lingering finish. This is very approachable now but will continue to improve.

Enjoyed at Zoom virtual vertical with Long Shadows owners and winemakers (and over 50 others). Made the wine even better. Small percentages of Cab and Petite Verdot add to the depth and complexity of the over 80% Merlot. Soft tannins, berries and hints of the oak tanks used, leave a lingering finish. This is very approachable now but will continue to improve.

9.4

John

Bold yet refined.

Bold yet refined.

9.1

Keaton Kail

This was a pleasant surprise in a blind flight. Ever so slightly too ripe to be Right Bank, but I would have never guessed Columbia Valley. Beautifully integrated tannins.

This was a pleasant surprise in a blind flight. Ever so slightly too ripe to be Right Bank, but I would have never guessed Columbia Valley. Beautifully integrated tannins.

9.3

Doug Adams

2016

2016

9.2

Doug Adams

2016

2016

9.1

Doug Adams

2016.

2016.

9.2

Doug Adams

2016

2016

9.2

WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.