2007 LONG SHADOWS CHESTER KIDDER (Allen Shoup & Gilles Nicault-Long Shadows Vineyards, Woodward Canyon)

"(60% cabernet sauvignon, 25% syrah, 14% petit verdot and 1% cabernet franc; aged for 30 months in 95% new barriques): Medium red. Lovely Old World earthiness on the nose, along with brown spices and red rose. Then fresh, suave and layered in the mouth, with enticing floral lift to the dark berry, licorice, mocha and mineral flavors. This really spreads out to saturate the palate, but with perfume rather than weight. Finishes very long, with broad tannins, harmonious acidity and hints of mocha and pepper. A beauty. Chester-Kidder is the project of resident Long Shadows winemaker Gilles Nicault." Steve Tanzer 93(+) points