Wines for the Winter
As the weather turns cold and we retreat indoors, instinctually we begin to look for warmer, heavier, and more robust wines. Here are three of our favorites for keeping us warm through the chilly winter days and nights.
2017 Saggi Sangiovese
After a long day outside of skiing, sledding, or just leisurely strolling through the winter wonderland, we crave a wine that will not only warm us up, but refresh us as well. Handcrafted from some the best Sangiovese, Cabernet, and Syrah that Washington State has to offer, the 2017 Saggi Super Tuscan Style Blend is a real showstopper. What we love about the 2017 Saggi is its wonderful balance. The Sangiovese gives this wine a delightful levity with bright red fruit notes, while the Cabernet adds body and tannins to the mid-palate and a welcome lingering finish. Modelled after the Old World Super Tuscan red blends, this is Long Shadow Vintners’ answer to the classic Italian style.
Winter and its holidays are filled with an abundance of delicious cuisine. From savory to sweet, rich to delicate, we love all the flavors of the season. But no dish says winter celebration to us quite like a perfectly prepared prime rib roast, and no wine pairs with a hearty side of beef like an elegant, well-structured Syrah. Made by highly acclaimed Winemaker John Duval, the complexity of the wine is driven by the diversity of the fruit sources -- Boushey Vineyard in Yakima Valley, Bacchus Vineyard in the Columbia Valley, and The Benches Vineyard in Horse Heaven Hills. What you get with the 2017 Sequel is a classic Washington Syrah; rich, velvety blueberry, and cassis balanced by earthy and savory notes on the mid-palate, and firm tannins on the lengthy finish.
As the night comes to an end and we settle in front of the roaring fire, we reach for the 2017 Pirouette to warm us on the inside as the fire warms us on the outside. This Bordeaux blend was made by award-winning winemaker, Phillipe Melka, using fruit predominantly from the Red Mountain AVA. This wine is everything you’d expect from a 95+ point rated wine: dense and brooding, filled with dark fruit and dark chocolate, all perfectly integrated with rich spice from 22 months aging in new French Oak barrels. We can think of no better way to cap off a cold winter’s eve.
We hope that this winter brings you peace, joy, and a soul-warming glass of red wine. Make sure to follow us on social media and share all of your winter wine adventures by taggings @long.shadows on Instagram and @LongShadows on Facebook.