One of the most beautiful sites in the Walla Walla Valley, Pepper Bridge is perched on a hill with stunning views of the estate vineyards —Pepper Bridge, Seven Hills and Les Collines, some of the famed vineyards in Washington. It is a gorgeous spot to taste wines, especially in the summer, with its sweeping views of the valley. Pepper Bridge is known for its restrained, Bordelaise style of winemaking, led by their talented head winemaker Jean-François Pellet. A third generation wine grower, Pellet’s wines have received considerable acclaim and he continues to produce seriously good wines for both Pepper Bridge and their sister winery, Amavi Cellars.
Highly engaging and charismatic, Pellet has degrees in both enology and viticulture and has previously interned in Germany, Switzerland and the Napa Valley. After graduating, he managed vineyards and made wine in Switzerland and Spain. Pellet then worked for Heitz Cellars for four years until he was recruited to work at Pepper Bridge. The new wines by Pellet were outstanding across the board, although I would give a slight edge to the 2014 wines which had a touch more mid-palate stuffing. The wines by Pepper Bridge show good ripeness, great varietal typicity and wonderful tension. Look to the downright delicious 2014 Pepper Bridge ‘Trine’ Red Wine (WWB, 93) which has wonderful weight and tension. Just as good was the amazing 2014 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 93) which is one foe the cellar with marvelous tension and great Washington Cabernet character. Learn more about this fantastic Walla Walla winery at www.pepperbridge.com. Here are the great new release wines from Pepper Bridge winery.
2014 Pepper Bridge ‘Trine’ Red Wine- The 2014 ‘Trine’ by Pepper Bridge is a compelling blend of 37% Cabernet Franc, and 34% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder lesser parts Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. The wine has been bottled since March 2016 and starts off with red currant jelly, cigar ash and blackberry pie aromas. The palate shows wonderful poise and balance. Delicious red and dark fruit flavors mingle with chocolate and sagebrush undertones. Inviting and downright delicious now, this gorgeous wine will cellar well over the next decade or more. Drink 2018-2030- 93
2015 Pepper Bridge ‘Trine’ Red Wine- Comprised of mainly Cabernet Franc (40%), Cabernet Sauvignon (28%) and Merlot (18%), with smaller portions Malbec and Petit Verdot, this wine was aged in 100% French oak (39% new) for 17 months prior to bottling in March 2017. The ‘Trine’ shows an aromatic range of smoke, green belll pepper and copious dark fruits that fill the nose. The palate reveals a silky texture and a lithe acidity. Roasted fig, blackberry jam, cigar box and milk chocolate covered dark cherry flavors all mingle nicely. This will have a long life ahead of it. Drink 2018-2030- 92
2015 Pepper Bridge Merlot- The 2015 Pepper Bridge Merlot is an excellent bottling which was sourced from the Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge and Octave Vineyards.The Merlot has 14% Cabernet Franc and 7% Malbec blended in. This shows perfumed red fruits and toasty oak on the nose. The palate has a smooth texture and lovely mouthfeel. Lip-smacking acidity connects with red cherry cordial, black tea, and blackberry pie flavors. While this is rich this shows Bordelaise tension. Enjoy this delicious effort over the next decade. Drink 2018-2028- 92
2014 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon by Pepper Bridge is a gorgeous wine. The wine was sourced from the Seven Hills, Octave, Pepper Bridge and Waliser Vineyards and was aged in 47% new French oak for 20 months prior to bottling. The Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a bright bouquet of loganberry preserves, black tea and Asian spices with smoky undertones. Firm and dense, with good weight, the wine has nice dark fruit and chocolate tones that connect with sagebrush and crushed mint herbaceousness. Downright delicious now, give this beautiful wine a one hour decant if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2018-2030- 93
2015 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from largely the Seven Hills and Octave Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley, this great wine is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller parts Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The Cabernet Sauvignon shows herbal tones on the nose with anise and blackberry cobbler. Soft and round on the mouth, this shows black fruits that mingle with earthy and milk chocolate undertones. Enjoy this fantastic effort over the next decade. Drink 2018-2028- 92