2004 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.
Deep and concentrated, the 2004 Chester Kidder is a wine with pure, ripe blackberry and dark chocolate aromas and flavors. Rich, lingering tannins coat the palate, giving the wine its vibrant mouth feel and long, satisfying finish.
93+ POINTS - WINE ADVOCATE
| Download Wine Notes |
| Vintage | 2004 |
| Varietal | Red Blend |
| Varietal Composition | 58% Cabernet Sauvignon
29% Syrah
10% Cabernet Franc
3% Petit Verdot |
| Appellation | Columbia Valley |
| Acid | 0.58g/100ml |
| PH | 3.82 |
| Aging | Drink now through 2024 |
| Alcohol | 14.70% |
| Wine Style | Red Wine |
| Volume | 750 ml |
2004 CHESTER-KIDDER - 93+ POINTS
Opaque purple-colored, it reveals an alluring nose of cedar, leather, pencil lead, espresso, blueberry, and blackberry. Round and ripe on the palate, it borders on opulence while concealing enough tannin to support another 5-7 years of cellaring. The sweet, savory fruit carries through into the lengthy finish. |
2004 CHESTER-KIDDER - 91 POINTS
Subtly complex nose melds plum, cranberry, chocolate, tobacco, and fresh herbs. Very ripe, fat and sweet, with a hint of game adding nuances to the red currant and chocolate flavors. An attractively plump wine that finishes sweet and long, with impressively lush tannins. |
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2004 CHESTER-KIDDER - 90 POINTS
The fruit is forward, a mélange of tart and spicy berry and currant flavors, and there is enough concentration to warrant additional cellaring. |
The 2004 Chester-Kidder represents a diverse collection of outstanding Columbia Valley vineyards sourced largely from the Horse Heaven Hills, Red Mountain and Wahluke Slope. Horse Heaven and Red Mountain Cabernet give the wine texture and concentration; Horse Heaven Syrah adds dark flavors and color; Cabernet Franc from Weinbau (Wahluke Slope), one of the Columbia Valley’s best Cabernet Franc vineyards, adds aromatic intensity; and a small amount of Petit Verdot from Stone Tree Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope adds intensity and tannins to enhance the 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.
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2004
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