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Signature Wines and Wineries of Washington
100 Wines, among other honors. Based in Pomerol, Rolland
consults for over 100 vintners around the world. Highly acclaimed
by critics, his Washington Merlot is a deeply-concentrated wine
with intense aromas, luxurious flavors, and a bold finish.
Pirouette, an enticing Bordeaux-style red blend named to Wine
Enthusiast's Top 100 Cellar Selections list, is the work of Napa
Valley's Philippe Melka. It was through a winemaking assignment
with Napa Valley's Quintessa and resulting friendship with
Quintessa owner Agustin Huneeus Sr., that Philippe was
introduced to Shoup and Long Shadows. Melka spent time at
Château Haut-Brion and Petrus, and his winemaking talents are
well-known. Influential wine critic Robert Parker named him one
of the top nine winemakers in the world, and Melka's expertise
is apparent in Pirouette.
Long Shadows' Saggi is another of the winery's notable offerings.
Inspired by Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari, a father-son team
from one of Tuscany's most prestigious wine families, Saggi is
TOP LEFT: Sunrise on Syrah grapes shortly before harvest. Exposed clusters
shown on the right side allow the morning sun to fully reach each cluster.
The protected fruit zone on the left side shields grapes from the harsh
afternoon sun.
Photograph by Richard Duval Images
BELOW LEFT: The Benches is an extraordinary vineyard of beauty and
scope, carved out of a steep cliff on the edge of the Columbia River.
Photograph by Kathryn Elsesser
ABOVE: The fermentation process for each red wine varies, according to
each winemaker's exacting specifications.
Photograph by Kathryn Elsesser
