2007 Chester-Kidder - 1.5L
Allen Shoup named this wine in honor of his grandfather, Charles Chester, and his grandmother, Maggie Kidder. He has a purpose in mind; a vision really, and that is to make a wine that says, "this is how good Washington wine can be." Allen selected Gilles Nicault, former winemaker for Woodward Canyon, to bring the vision to fruition.
The 2007 Chester Kidder offers rich aromas and flavors of black cherries, violets and dark chocolate complimented by nuances of cedar and spice. Deep crimson-colored it balances concentration with elegance and a vibrant mouth feel that gains complexity across the mid-palate and leaves an impression of spicy fruits across a long, silky finish.
93 POINTS
WINE ENTHUSIAST
CELLAR SELECTION
| Download Wine Notes |
| Vintage | 2007 |
| Varietal | Red Blend |
| Varietal Composition | 60% Cabernet Sauvignon
25% Syrah
14% Petit Verdot
1% Cabernet Franc |
| Appellation | Columbia Valley |
| Acid | 0.60g/ 100ml |
| PH | 3.77 |
| Aging | Drink now through 2027 |
| Alcohol | 14.90% |
| Wine Style | Red Wine |
| Volume | 1.5 liter |
2007 CHESTER-KIDDER - 93+ POINTS
"Medium red. Lovely Old World earthiness on the nose, along with brown spices and red rose. Then fresh, suave and layered in the mouth, with enticing floral lift to the dark berry, licorice, mocha and mineral flavors. This really spreads out to saturate the palate, but with perfume rather than weight. Finishes very long, with broad tannins, harmonious acidity and hints of mocha and pepper. A beauty."
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2007 CHESTER-KIDDER - 93 POINTS
"Released up to a full year later than the other Long Shadows reds, it is well-integrated and focused, with high-toned black cherry fruit set in dusty tannins. Scents of sandalwood drift through, along with cocoa and spice. As good or even better than the outstanding 2006. Cellar Selection."
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2007 CHESTER-KIDDER - 93 POINTS
"The 2007 release is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Syrah, 14% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc aged for 30 months in 100% new French oak. The winemaker is Gilles Nicault, who oversees all seven Long Shadows labels on a daily basis. Aromas of pain grille, mineral, pepper, meat, incense, violets, blueberry, and blackberry inform the nose of a dense, layered, succulent wine that will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring. This tasty offering will deliver optimum drinking from 2013 to 2023." |
Winemaker Gilles Nicault believes a diverse collection of top quality vineyards is as important to creating a special wine as the varietal composition. The 2007 Chester-Kidder relies on Cabernet Sauvignon from Red Mountain and Candy Mountain to provide fresh black cherry character. Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla contributes an additional layer of rich, dark fruit. Red Mountain area Syrah, including grapes from Candy Mountain, adds structure, color and spice. Petit Verdot from Stone Tree Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope provides a lively and vibrant mouth feel.
Gilles Nicault has served as director of winemaking and viticulture since Long Shadows inception in 2003. As resident winemaker overseeing daily operations at Long Shadows' state-of-the-art winery in Walla Walla, Gilles works with a group of celebrated vintners from around the globe. It is his job to ensure that each winemaker's vision is realized in the vineyard and the cellar.
While many winemakers would find this proposition a daunting task, French-born Nicault describes the position as his "dream job." Those who know Gilles best say it is his insatiable curiosity and desire to learn something new every day as well as his winemaking skills that make him uniquely qualified for the position. In addition to executing daily operations at the winery, Gilles is the winemaker for Long Shadows' acclaimed Chester-Kidder, a Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah blend that carries his signature.
Gilles grew up in southern France and graduated from the University of Avignon with a degree in Viticulture and Enology. He honed his craft in the fabled hillside vineyards and wineries of Cotes Du Rhone, Provence and Champagne. On 1994, already a vintner of rising fame in his homeland, Gilles traveled to Washington State to expand his winemaking skills.
Impressed by Washtington State's vineyards and the opportunity to be part of a growing wine community, he stayed in the Columbia Valley, working for Staton Hills and Hogue Cellars before joining Woodward Canyon in 1996, where he stayed until moving to Long Shadows in June 2003. Sharing Woodward Canyon's passion for world-class wine, Gilles soon found Woodward Canyon's founder Rick Small was his ideal mentor and biggest champion. In 1999, Woodward Canyon named Gilles head of enology and production.
Gilles is married to winemaker Marie-Eve Gilla of Forgeron Cellars, also an acclaimed winemaker. The couple llves in Walla Walla with their two children.
