Jean-François Pellet t is one talented man. As I sat with him over dinner we talked about his approaching his wines. “I like wines with good structure and minerality but ones that are also full-bodied.” That made a lot of sense to me. ‘Isn’t that exactly how Washington wines should show’ I thought to myself. 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.
If you have never visited Pepper Bridge, you are in for a visual treat. The winery boasts simply gorgeous views of the Walla Walla Valley and has a deck that is perfect for a warm summer day. Over several decades, Jean-François Pellet has employed a highly Bordelaise style of winemaking. He is a third generation wine grower, and 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.
I absolutely love these new wines across the board. The 2018 Pepper Bridge Sauvignon Blanc (WWB, 92) rivals the best of the varietal in the state. The wine has a touch of Semillon that provides the creamy texture that sits alongside the wonderful core of bright citrus and apple fruits. This is a gorgeous wine for the price. Even better was his 2016 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 94) which is amongst the best wine that I have ever had from this estate. A complete wine, this shows not only wonderful tension and verve but great varietal typicity and a deep core of dark fruits. This is one for the cellar! Learn more about Pepper Bridge at www.pepperbridge.com. Here are the great new release wines from Pepper Bridge winery.
2018 Pepper Bridge Sauvignon Blanc- The 2018 Sauvignon Blanc by Pepper Bridge is a beautiful new wine by the talented Jean-Francios Pellet. A blend of 93% Sauvignon blanc with the remainder Semillon, the wine opens with aromas of white flowers with lovely citrus blossom and shades of green papaya that take shape in the glass. The texture to the wine is truly outstanding as a bright err of minerality cuts through the core of the citrus and green apple flavors. While outstanding to savor in its youth, this beautiful wine will cellar well over the next five plus years. Drink 2019-2025- 92
2016 Pepper Bridge Merlot- The 2016 Pepper Bridge Merlot was largely sourced from the Seven Hills and Pepper Bridge Vineyards as well as the Octave Vineyard. Aged in 58% new French oak before bottling, this opens with ripe red fruits that dance with shades of clove, and milk chocolate that all mingle in the glass. The palate has good freshness and density with plush red and dark fruits that mingle with the bright sense of minerality. Delightful now and showing good restraint considering the heat of the vintage, the 2016 Pepper Bridge Merlot will cellar well over the next fifteen years. Drink 2019-2035- 92
2016 Pepper Bridge ‘Trine’ Red Wine- The 2016 ‘Trine’ is a beautiful blend of 35% Cabernet Franc with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and smaller portions Petit Verdot and Malbec. This begins with aromas of red bell pepper with red cherry, blackberry cobbler and shades of black licorice that all come together on the nose. The palate has a wonderful sense of balance, as this elegant wine has a seamless quality that runs through the core of red and dark fruits with chocolate undertones. Fantastic now, be sure to give this a long, two hour decant, if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2020-2035- 93
2016 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 Pepper Bridge cabernet Sauvignon was aged in 45% new French oak before bottling and has smaller portions of Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc blended in. The nose is dense and offers intense black fruits that meld with Black Forest Cake and tar aromas that meld in the glass. The palate has wonderful freshness and elegance, with a silky texture. Black tea, exotic spices, blackberry cordial and shades of Turkish coffee all come together magically in the glass. Hedonistic and dense, yet beautifully balanced, this is a masterpiece that will have a long life in the cellar. Drink 2020-2040- 94
2016 Pepper Bridge ‘Pepper Bridge Vineyard’ Red Wine- A blend of 46% Merlot with 31% Malbec and 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine was aged in 39% new French oak before bottling. The intense aromas captivate you with lavender and dense dark fruits that meld with shades of creosote and espresso bean that all mingle in the glass. The palate has great balance and effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. Deep mocha, tar, leather and shades of blackberry coils all take their shape on the palate. A stunning wine in its youth, the ‘Pepper Bridge’ Red Wine will cellar well for at least another fifteen years. Drink 2020-2040- 94
2016 Pepper Bridge ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Red Wine- A blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon with 22% Cabernet Franc, 18% Merlot and small portions Malbec and Petit Verdot, the 2016 2016 Pepper Bridge ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Red Wine is a gorgeous new wine by this storied Walla Walla estate. Beautifully perfumed once in the glass, this slowly unveils ripe blackberry with anise, creme de cassis and shades of dark chocolate cake that meld in the glass. The palate has a lovely sense of minerality showing good richness and a silky texture. Light tannins line a deep core of dark fruits with creosote and espresso bean tones on the palate. Gorgeous to enjoy in its youth, this outstanding wine will have a. Long life in the cellar. Drink 2019-2035- 93