Feather 2016 from the Long Shadows is a fruit of the collaboration of some of the most distinguished winemakers of modern times.
After 20 years of building Chateau Ste. Michelle, Allen Shoup had a new vision: to create a collection of ultra-premium wines to elevate Washington wine to world-class status. For that, he invited renowned international winemakers to collaborated under one roof. Allen built a facility with all the tools they need to create exceptional wine. The most exciting part of the project is that each winemaker makes wine from a different grape varietal, the one he’s best known for.
Feather Story
To produce Feather – Cabernet Sauvignon’s Washington expression, Allen invited Robert Dunn – the legendary Napa winemaker. Randy Dunn began his career as an enologist at Caymus Vineyards in the 1970s. Over a decade at Caymus, Randy earned a reputation for California Cabernet Sauvignon’s style that became a benchmark for the rest of Napa Valley. He also helped elevate wineries, such as Pahlmeyer, Livingston, and La Jota, to cult status.
Nowadays, Randy focused on crafting small-lot collectible Cabs at Dunn Vineyards he established on Howell Mountain in 1979. The only exception is Long Shadows’ Feather.
Feather 2016 Long Shadows
Feather 2016 is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon blend from a select few Walla Walla and Columbia Vineyard’s handpicked by Randy.
The 2016 vintage was another hot growing season that required extra care in the vineyards. While warm temperatures in the fall accelerated the ripening, cool overnight temperatures helped the grapes to retain the acidity – a must for rich and balanced wines.
After the hand harvest, the grapes were sorted at the winery, lightly crushed, and fermented in small stainless steel tanks. The cap was pumped over more frequently at the fermentation peak and less close to the end to extract color, structure, and flavor from the skins without imparting aggressive tannins. The finished wine was aged 22 months in French oak barrels with 90% new.
In the Glass
Feather 2016 had a beautiful deep ruby color in the glass. The aroma of bing cherry liquor and ripe black currant jumped out of the glass, followed by the dark chocolate, underbrush, and warm dusty-earthy notes. If we closed our eyes, we could feel ourselves on the hot sunny afternoon among the vines of Walla Walla.
The ripe character of the 2016 vintage manifested itself in the flavors of prune, ripe black cherry, and dried sour cherry dipped in bitter-dark chocolate.
Finish
2016 Feather is a full-bodied and well-balanced wine that is an excellent expression of Washington Cabernet Sauvignon. The finish was long and filled with dried black currant balanced by the characteristic of Washington Cabs dark chocolate.
True to the quote of Randy Dunn himself: “Cabernet in Washington State is different than Napa Valley Cab. Napa never gets the herbaceous, briery character. Washington Cab can have intense oak complexity, notes of granite and blackcurrant and is very age-worthy.”
It was precisely that!
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