By Duane Pemberton
Winery website: http://www.longshadows.com
The Long Shadows Pedestal Merlot is the highest-average-scoring Merlot in North America - it’s accomplished this by remaining consistently good at a price that kills its rivals from California. At just over 2000 cases made, one could argue that’s it’s not a true “small production” in a certain sense, but still is very much made in with the same tender care that smaller wineries put into their small productions.
Technical Data:
- Blend: 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot
- Alcohol: 14.7
- TA: .57
- pH: 3.76
- Release date: February 2010
- Production: 2,005 cases
- Price: $55
Nose: Black cherries, blackberry, boysenberry and a hint of peppered blueberry compot. Also get nice notes of leather, old-sock, tar-bubble and fresh mud.
Taste: This is easily a cab-lover’s merlot. It has all the fruit, all the funk, all the mid-palate and finish anyone could want but with black fruit. A total no-brainer pick for lamb, hearty stews and pot-roast – would also do well with a grilled steak.
