Longrow Red 2024 57.1% NV

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (84)

4 years in bourbon followed by 3 years in French Pinot Noir casks, from Burgundy as we read here and there. Thus far, peat and red wine have paired about as harmoniously as mustard and coffee. Regarding these Longrow Reds, we’ve already endured Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Australian Shiraz, Port, Nebbiolo from Barolo, and even Pinot Noir in a 12-year-old from 2022. At least we’ve been spared Merlot, Tempranillo, and Zinfandel. But buckle up, Montjoie! Saint-Denis! off we go… Colour: light gold, not quite as ‘red’ as one might expect, which is rather surprising. Nose: it whispers at first, offering that lovely fresh rubber characteristic of Longrow, before a combination of raspberry liqueur, tomato leaf, charcoal, fatty lamb (chorba), and finally those coastal notes we so adore make their presence felt. It seems that a degree of balance has been maintained this time. With water: the distillate appears to retain the lead on the nose, and rightly so. No overly discordant red berry notes, though perhaps a hint of ‘hare’s belly’, as they say in Burgundy. Mouth (neat): the wine definitely asserts itself on the malt, with a strong impression of guignolet (cherry liqueur) beyond the pepper and salt. It’s somewhat like tasting a smoked oyster with redcurrant jelly. Strangely enough, it’s not bad this time. With water: well, yes, this isn’t bad at all. The fresh rubber returns, along with bitter oranges, clams, bacon, and pepper. Finish: long, leaning towards green pepper, roasted bell pepper, salt, and rubber, though bitter oranges add a touch of contradiction. The aftertaste is heavily peppery. Comments: not the worst of these ‘Reds’; on the contrary, we rather like it. How about Alsatian Pinot Noir next time?
SGP:665 -