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Allen Shoup &
Gilles Nicault
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Allen Shoup Shoup named this wine in honor
of his grandfather, Charles Chester, and his grandmother, Maggie Kidder. He has
a purpose in mind; a vision really, and that is to offer his guests a glass of
Chester-Kidder and say "this is how good a Washington red wine can be". Allen
picked Gilles Nicault, former winemaker
for Woodward Canyon, to bring this vision to fruition.
Tasting Notes: Loaded with dark fruit, bright cherries and a
hint of vanilla and espresso, the 2005 Chester-Kidder is lively, vibrant and
rich on the palate. Layers of fruit and spice lead to a lengthy finish laced
with delicate notes of cedar.
Vintage: The 2005 growing season was a classic Columbia Valley
vintage that produced beautifully balanced, aromatic wines with intense,
focused flavors. Spring conditions were mild, but by mid-June temperatures
began to rise and stayed quite warm through July and August. The heat backed
off just enough in September to ripen fruit without rushing physiological
maturity. It was the perfect ending to an ideal vintage that will be remembered
as one of the decade's best.
Winemaking: Chester-Kidder is a blended red wine styled to
showcase Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, two outstanding Columbia Valley grapes
that are excellent blending partners. Cabernet Sauvignon brings structure to
the wine; Syrah adds dark fruit and spice. A small amount of Merlot (5%) gives
the wine an added layer of complexity and a touch of softness. Aged 30 months
in 92% tight-grain French oak, eight percent Hungarian oak to allow the fruit
and wood to integrate completely and develop round tannins and richness.
Vineyards: Winemaker Gilles Nicault devotes much of each
summer visiting a diverse collection of Columbia Valley vineyards before
selecting grapes from some of his favorite blocks to create a richly layered,
complex wine. Roughly half the grapes for the '05 Chester-Kidder were sourced
from vineyards in the Tri-Cities, on the Wahluke Slope and a handful of other
excellent Columbia Valley sites to give the wine its wonderful structure and
densely packed, rich fruit. Yakima Valley grapes (25%) contribute great acidity
and vibrant, fresh character. Walla Walla fruit (25%) adds darkness and spice.
Alcohol: 14.7%
pH: 3.77
TA: 0.61 grams/100ml
Blend:
55% Cabernet Sauvignon
40% Syrah
5% Merlot
Release date: August 2008
Production: 1586 cases
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