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Wine Dynasties of Long Shadows The CHESTER-KIDDER Partner: Gilles Nicault For this blend—named after his grandfather, Chester Kidder, and his grandmother, Maggie Kidder—Shoup selected Gilles Nicault to direct the winemaking process to exhibit "how good Washington State wine can be." Although Nicault works with all the global winemaking partners at Long Shadows, this is his own special project. The Chester- Kidder 2007 is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Syrah, 14% Petit Verdot and 1% Cab Franc. Nicault selects his grapes from top-quality fruit throughout the Columbia Valley. "Allen challenged me to make Chester-Kidder," Nicault points out. "I love a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. It's a great combination of backbone, darkness and spice." Aged 30 months in tight-grained French oak barrels, the red blend is an athlete, a serious study—well bred and structured — that offers up an explosive yet complex mouthfeel and delivers a pleasurable impression of red tea, black coffee and the deepest, darkest black cherries. 1015 cases/$50 PIROUETTE Partners: Augustin Huneeus and Philippe Melka When Allen Shoup partnered with wine legend Agustin Huneeus, whose history leads from Paul Masson to Quintessa with numerous stops along the way, to make an outstanding red blend, Huneeus asked that Bordeaux winemaker, Napa Valley consultant and degreed geologist Philippe Melka be a part of the collaboration. The result is Pirouette, a turn for the best of Old World and New World style and technology. The Pirouette 2008 is a Cabernet-Merlot that also combines Cab Franc and Petit Verdot for a flavor profile that can compete with any of the world's most revered Bordeaux blends. It is a textural dream, dark fruit and darker chocolate aiming towards the exquisite. 1,234 cases / $50 FEATHER Partner: Randy Dunn French-born Gilles Nicault is the in-house winemaker at Long Shadows. He has been making wines in Washington State since 1996 and began working with Allen Shoup in 2004. A fan of Rhône varieties, Nicault is planning a Grenache/Syrah/ Mourvedre project in the near future, utilizing the stellar Mourvèdre grown on the steep Benches Vineyard. 98 / the tasting panel / october 2012 Napa Valley is secure in its merits, its recognition and its world-class status all because of the character of its Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the winemakers who has helped Napa Cab earn these honors is Randy Dunn, who brings more than four decades of winemaking experience to the Columbia Valley to craft Feather, his only wine made outside California. Feather 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is aged for 22 months in Vicard French oak barrels; it is supple and structured with remarkable depth. 1,874 cases/$55 Each of the following partners/producers is invested in his particular wine project with Allen Shoup. "They are not paid consultants," insists Shoup. "They are not paid a dime. They each have 25% equity—but that is only if the brand succeeds."