Chester-Kidder

Columbia Valley, USA

Long Shadows Vintners' Bordeaux blend from the Columbia Valley, produced by the late Allen Shoup (longtime CEO of Chateau Ste. Michelle) in collaboration with Armin Diel of Schlossgut Diel in Germany. Long Shadows is a project of international winemaking collaborations; Chester-Kidder is the in-house Bordeaux blend, named for the Kidder family vineyard. A wine of accessible premium quality, demonstrating Columbia Valley's reliable character for structured red blends.

Pairing intelligence

• main: Chester-Kidder's Merlot richness and structural elegance elevates a premium cut into a meal that demands a reference-quality wine to match it. Wagyu brisket's intramuscular fat and collagen depth requires the wine's tannin to work; the Merlot's dark cherry provides a fruit contrast against the bone marrow butter's pure richness. Pickled onion and chimichurri serve as acid and herbal contrast that allows the wine to reset between each bite.
• main: Prime rib is the canonical pairing with structured Bordeaux-style blends. Chester-Kidder's depth and tannin architecture handles the richness of prime rib's fat and the intensity of horseradish without flinching.
• starter: Chester-Kidder's structured blend supports tartare's raw protein intensity — the wine's acidity mirrors the mustard and cornichon while its fruit concentration provides a platform for the egg yolk's richness.
• fish course: The Chester-Kidder's deep Red Mountain extract and structured tannin is designed for game; huckleberry jus mirrors the wine's dark fruit while celeriac purée provides the earthy bridge its terroir character demands.
• starter: Chester-Kidder's Cab Sauv and Syrah blend carries enough fruit depth and structure to partner octopus's firm texture and paprika smoke while the Syrah component mirrors the smoked element directly.