2006 Long Shadows "Chester Kidder" Columbia Valley Red

SKU #1088598 93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2006 Chester-Kidder Red Wine is produced by Gilles Nicault, resident winemaker who also oversees the daily upbringing of all the Long Shadows wines...Medium purple-colored, it sports an inviting perfume of sandalwood, smoke, spice box, lavender, blueberry, and blackberry. The Syrah component gives it a forward personality but there is enough structure for several years of further development. Layered, savory, and concentrated, this lengthy effort will offer a drinking window extending from 2013 to 2027. (8/ 2010)

93 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

(45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Syrah, 10% Petit Verdot and 9% Cabernet Franc) Excellent bright ruby-red. Deep aromas of blackcurrant, licorice, spices and leather. Suave on entry, then primary, deep and sweet, with a penetrating quality to the rich dark berry, spice and mint flavors. This one has a tightly coiled spring and underlying minerality that suggest it will be long-lived. Finishes clenched in a positive way, with a rising finish and broad, integrated tannins. This is the project of Gilles Nicault, who also serves as the resident winemaker for the Long Shadows project. Following a very long maceration, the wine was racked only a total of four times before being bottled after 30 months in barrel. Incidentally, Nicault describes 2006 as "a beautiful vintage," and points out that these wines were made in a new facility that permitted a double sorting of the fruit prior to vinification. (12/ 2009)

92 points Wine Enthusiast

The blend in 2006 is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Syrah, 10% Petit Verdot and 9% Cabernet Franc. It spent 30 months in 90% new oak. Released a year ago, it has a feminine grace and softness in the aromas, a lovely mix of flowers and spice. The Syrah brightens up the fruit, accenting berry flavors with a hint of pepper, while the Petit Verdot adds clover and violet aromas and density to the tannins. Cellar Selection. (12/ 2010)

90 points Wine Spectator

There's ample flesh under a layer of crisp tannins, singing with pretty blackberry, currant and spice flavors that glow nicely underneath. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2014. (10/ 2010)