Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/86618
Building Long Shadows winery was an intuitive process for Shoup. "If we could bring in wine dynasty types, not as consultants, but as part-owners, each for their own single particular wine, then I knew we could get some attention by creating signature wines." And attention they got. From day one, wine critics were unveiling 90-plus scores, and the Long Shadows name achieved cult status, with dramatic growth even in the face of the recession. "We had profitable years in '06 and '07," Shoup tells THE TASTING PANEL. "So we made more wine for '08, '09 and '10." Although sales dropped in half when fine wines were nose-diving on- and off-premise, Allen admits that they are finally back in shape. "We are completely caught up, but I feel like I lost three years of my life." By the time Shoup retired in 2000, he already had already formu- lated—and put into practice at Ste. Michelle—the idea that the celebrity winemaker could help the Washington State wine industry grow outside its borders in both reach and reputation. "Washington has a young winemak- ing culture," he points out. "We don't have generations of growers here and rarely have our enologists and viticul- turists gone through as many appren- tices and formal education programs as one has to do in California, or other parts of the world." Nine Hats Sangiovese represents the nine winemakers collaborating at Long Shadows. The 2008 Nine Hats blends in 17% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Syrah, and is round and juicy, with cinnamon-coated red fruit. A charming and seductive version of this Italian varietal. 1560 cases/SRP $25. october 2012 / the tasting panel / 95