Long Shadows has become, in a short time, one of the premier wineries in Washington state (see 2008 Walla Walla Spring Release report). Former Stimson-Lane CEO Allen Shoup works with renowned winemakers from around the world for this venture. Each winemaker creates a single wine using Washington fruit. Add resident winemaker Gilles Nicault to shepherd all of the wines along (Nicault also makes his own fabulous Chester-Kidder red blend), and the results are dazzling.

The Poet’s Leap Riesling is made by Armin Diel, one of Germany’s most highly regarded Riesling producers. While I did not find this year’s offering – just released – quite as compelling as last year’s, it is still a good, very well made wine.

Wines:

Score

Name

Notes

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Poet’s Leap Riesling 2007

A complex nose with honey, pear, apple, white grapefruit, peaches, and mineral notes. A thick wine that coats the mouth. A bit more tart than the 2006. 12.9% alcohol. 1,904 cases produced. Recommended.

$20