2003 Chester-Kidder
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.
Vibrant blackberry aromas are enhanced by hints of chocolate and mocha. Rich and complex, the mouth feel is round and balanced with lush, soft tannins. A lengthy finish lingers with a seamless impression of dark fruit.
91 POINTS - WINE ADVOCATE
| Download Wine Notes |
| Vintage | 2003 |
| Varietal | Red Blend |
| Varietal Composition | 38% Cabernet Sauvignon
29% Syrah
14% Merlot
12% Cabernet Franc
5% Malbec
2% Petit Verdot |
| Appellation | Columbia Valley |
| Acid | 0.65g/100ml |
| PH | 3.88 |
| Aging | Drink now through 2020 |
| Alcohol | 14.30% |
| Wine Style | Red Wine |
| Volume | 750 ml |
2003 CHESTER-KIDDER - 91 POINTS
Ruby-red. Cassis and bitter chocolate on the nose, with a suggestion of candied berries. Sweet, dense and broad, with expressive flavors of plum, cassis, chocolate and licorice. Very rich and chocolatey on the back end, finishing with dusty tannins and good fat fruit. Lovely wine. This spent 27 months in French oak. |
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2003 CHESTER-KIDDER - 91 POINTS
Opaque purple-colored, the wine exhibits a fragrant perfume of pain grille, pencil lead, black currant, and blackberry liqueur. This is followed by a layered, spicy wine with gobs of complex blue and black fruit flavors, soft tannins, and plenty of depth in its lush personality. |
The 2003 Chester-Kidder represents a diverse collection of select Columbia Valley vineyards, all farmed for low yields, resulting in a rich, multi-dimensional blend. Cabernet Sauvignon from the old vines at Sagemoor Vineyards, near Pasco, contributes complexity and deep flavors to the wine; Cabernet from Weinbau Vineyard on theWahluke Slope gives the wine rich tannins; Walla Walla Syrah adds dark, lush flavors.
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.
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