In 2003 Allan Shoup, founder and ex-owner of Chateau Ste. Michelle, started a new winery, Long Shadows. He hired famous winemakers from all over the world to come here, pick out some grapes and make a signature wine. Ever since, they've been pretending that the famous winemakers are still "making" the wine, but I doubt they even show up. Instead it's this very able French guy, Gilles somethingorother (which is fine with me, just sayin'....) The wines are very high quality overall, but to my palate none since have been as unique as their original. The 2003 was Michel Rolland's flagship vintage of Pedestal.
I tasted it on release and found a super-plush over-the-top style Merlot. Gobs of hedonistic fruit, and all that. But also, immense power and structure. One had to be impressed even if it's not what you normally consider your style, I for one didn't even know that kind of merlot power was possible in this state, but 03 was a warm vintage and perfect for Michel's style. I bought a few bottles and hadn't tasted any since until last night, when I decided to open one for my new neighbors who joined us around the fire pit.
It's still a mouthfull. Rich, saturated black cherry and black currant fruit and silky mocha-ness on the palate. Drapes itself in your mouth like a heavy brocade curtain. The tannins have relaxed but a little, and there's still a luxury liner of primary fruit here and it's not showing any jammy overripeness like a lot of 03's have later in life. This wine isn't going anywhere soon, could age another decade, easily. I would have, could have liked it better had the oak not been so heavily toasted, but I was the only one complaining about that.