Allen C. Shoup Passes Away

Yesterday, November 9, I was saddened to learn that Allen Chester Shoup, former head of Land Shadows and previously of Chateau Ste Michelle had passed away on November 7. He was a giant in the Washington Wine industry for decades. He began his wine career in Modesto, California as a marketing director for E & J Gallo Wines in the mid-seventies before becoming Chateau Ste Michelle's vice president of marketing in 1980. He went on to become president and CEO of Stimson Lane Vineyards and Estates from 1983 to 2000, expanding the portfolio to include other Washington wineries, including Northstar and Spring Valley, and California wineries, including Villa Mt. Eden and Conn Creek. International joint ventures included Col Solare with Piero Antinori and Dr Ernst Loosen for Eroica Riesling. After retiring from Stimson-Lane, he went on to found Long Shadows which brought together international winemakers to craft world class wines at a state of the art winery near Walla Walla. He was succeeded by his stepson, Dane Narbaitz as CEO of Long Shadows. 

I remember Allen Shoup as being a warm and friendly person, always ready to help. He was highly innovative, helping elevate Washington state wines, including participation in the creation of the Washington Wine Commission and the Auction of Washington Wines. I met with him at numerous Chateau Ste Michelle and Long Shadows tasting events. He will be missed but not forgotten.

French Wines Recently Tasted

We love Gigondas. Being Grenache dominated wines, they are a delight to drink and are food friendly. Here are three that we have tried recently.

2019 Crous St. Martin Gigondas, "Les Espalières" ($29.99 - Esquin) - Comprised of 80% Grenache with 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, this offers a deep ruby color and rich aromas of strawberry, cranberry, red currant, crushed roses, tobacco leaf, lavender, olive tapenade and spiced incense. The flavors mirror the aromatics with medium bodied but substantial red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, orange pekoe tea and Montmirial minerals. The back reveals pressed berries, roasted nuts, fraise and cerise liqueurs and charcoal, followed by a juicy ripe  tannin finish. Excellent value. 18.5/20 points.

2019 Domaine la Boussïere Gigondas ($44.99 - Esquin) - This displays a deep ruby-crimson color and seductive aromas of wild raspberry, blueberry, black currant, black roses, sweet tobacco, lavender, olive, charcuterie, wild violets and incense. The flavors are bold and mouth filling, replete with black licorice, cocoa, black tea and minerals. On the back, the wine intensifies with macerated berries, roasted nuts, creme de cassis, grilled meats and charcoal, followed by a lingering vigorous fruit acid lifted finish. 19/20 points.

2019 Domaine du Bousquet Gigondas, Reserve ($54.99 - Esquin) - Nearly opaque ruby-crimson colored, this emits rich, smoky aromas of blackberry, mountain blueberry, brambly currant, black roses, tobacco, lavender, olive tapenade and spiced incense. The flavors are deep, almost massive, with loads of dark fruits that are infused with licorice, dark cocoa, French press and Montmirial minerals. The wine deepens on the back with roasted berries and nuts, mocha, creme de cassis, grilled meats and charcoal, followed by a lengthy firm yet super ripe tannin finish. 19+/20 points.

Most of the wines of Châteauneuf du Pape are red, with less than ten percent of the production being white, from multiple varieties. Here are two whites we recommend highly.

2020 Brotte Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc, "Les Hauts de Barville" ($40.99 - Esquin) - This is unusual in that it is 100% Roussanne. It shows a brilliant gold color and semi-tropical aromas of Asian pear-apple, white peach, passion fruit, lemon custard, apple blossoms, honeysuckle, jasmine and butternut. The flavors are deliciously ripe and juicy, with notes of grape and pear skins, peach stones and mas minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs and touches of butterscotch and crème fraiche, followed by a lingering precise fruit acid finish. 19/20 points.

2020 Domaine Chante Cigale Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc ($44.99 - Esquin) - This is a typical CdP Blanc in that it is composed of 20% each of Roussanne, Clairette, Picpoul. Grenache Blanc and Bourboulenc. It features a brilliant lemon-gold color and floral aromas of pear, peach, Casaba melon, grapefruit, pear blossoms, honeysucje, jasmine, lemongrass and yellow incense. The flavors are bright and vivid, with yellow and white fruits that are accented by grape and pear skins and mas minerals. The resonance continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs, melon rind and grapefruit peel on a precise lengthy fruit acid balanced finish. 19+/20 points.

And here's a White Burgundy that's outstanding and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. It comes from Santenay, near the southern end of the Côte d'Or, and could pass fora Chassagne Montrachet, just to the north.

2020 Justin Girardin Santenay Blanc, "Les Terrasse de Bievaux" ($36.99 - Esquin) - Brilliant lemon-gold colored, this possesses floral aromas of pear-apple, white peach, grapefruit, apple blossoms, acacia flowers, wisteria and wet stone. The flavors are vivid, pure Chardonnay, with notes of grape and pear skins, peach stones and terraced slope granitic minerals. The resonance continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs and touches of nougat, crème fraiche and grapefruit peel on the lingering, finely fruited finish. 19/20 points.