David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

If you haven’t explored Washington wines, you need to visit Walla Walla. They are making incredible wines that compete with any region in the world without exploiting your wallet. Their prices will rise in time as the demand grows but, for now, they are outstanding wines at reasonable prices.

One of their best producers is Long Shadows. Gilles Nicault is their talented Wine Director who is a French transplant. He works with several consultants who all work on one wine each. World famous; Michel Rolland, Randy Dunn and JohnDuvall who made Penfold’s for 29 years.

I paired their Riesling with my grilled pork chop; which is largely based on the recipe from Mustards Restaurant in Napa Valley. 14 ingredients go into the two day marinade. It is perhaps one of the best food & wine parings I’ve had.

Photos of, the outside fire at Long Shadows, their beautiful tasting room with lots of hand blown glass the grilled pork chop, rosemary potatoes and grilled zucchini from our garden. — 2 days ago

Tom Casagrande

8.9

Very fruity and easy-drinking. Nose has very ripe berry fruit and charcoal smoke element. Hint of iodine. Very soft and mouthfilling. No tannin to speak of. Lots of dark fruit in a vaguely savory format. — 21 hours ago

David Shaw

9.0

Pale white, excellent clarity. Floral, some lemon in nose. Meyer lemon / lemon Pez flavor with length, with some floral in finish. Rounded mouthfeel, dry. Slight skin astringency in aftertaste; later, lactic character develops. Solid rendition of variety. Paired well with season premiere of Better Call Saul — 13 days ago

Shay A

9.1

Another Wednesday Wine Committee lunch, this time hosted by my buddy @Will Adams ! As always, all wines are tasted blind.

Not familiar with this producer. Color has faded with a good amount of bricking. Aromatically, it smelled “hot” and ripe. Lots of dark fruit here. My guess was older Cali zin. As you can see, swing and a miss. Surprised at how fruity/jammy this was for its age. — 4 days ago

with Will and Benjamin

David Shaw

9.4

Wow. End of tasting flight but impressed. Dusty, black pepper, red fruit aromas and flavors. Waxy flavor, soft mouthfeel, excellent varietal character. A different style of WA state Syrah. Great fruit, excellent winemaking. — 2 days ago

David Shaw

8.9

New vintage. Light pink, excellent clarity. Label mentions four attributes to expect: watermelon and raspberry in nose, cranberry and pomegranate in mouth. Can confirm the last two, with length; also some lemon flavor. Getting something herbal in nose, watermelon as well. (Raspberry? Not initially) Bone dry. Some spritz and slight skin astringency in finish. Good varietal expression. Excellent value, but better with food than for quaffing or sipping, I think. — 12 days ago

David Shaw

9.1

Columbia Valley designation, not Red Mountain. Website says eight varieties, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot; already sold out at winery. Reddish orange, excellent clarity. White floral note in nose. Cherry flavor with length, orange flavor, dry, rounded mouthfeel, good acidity, lemon flavor with mild fine-grained skin astringency in finish. If you prefer a fruity but dry rose, this is your ticket. Good value. — 6 days ago

Sharon B

9.2

After a painful night of passing a kidney stone then having to make the difficult decision to put down one of my cats I needed a good wine tonight. This Merlot is full of flavor, full bodied and out of this world. I really need this tonight. Not a good day 😪 R.I.P. sweet little one eyed kitty — 4 days ago

David Shaw

8.9

No varietal info on label or website; it's just Columbia Valley Rose. Light pink with orange overtones, guava and pink grapefruit flavors dominate, with some strawberry. Tart, bone dry, minimal tannins. Good value, not terribly complex but tasty style. Good to sip, better with food — 7 days ago

William Hughes

9.2

Sexy and luscious! Melon, stone fruit, jasmine, white tea, and dried wild flower aromas and on the palate! Balanced acidity for this white Rhône-style blend. This will be fun to try over the next 4-6 years. — 7 days ago