I fondly recall sitting on the back porch at Pepper Bridge and basking in the summer sun. They definitely have one of the great views that you will find in the Walla Walla Valley. For many years I have loved these wines that show serious tension and aging potential, which is a hallmark of Jean-Francois Pellet’s winemaking. Born and raised in Switzerland, Winemaker Jean-François Pellet is a third-generation wine grower. Working alongside his father, Pellet came to the Walla Walla Valley back in 1999 after working in the Napa Valley. He did not plan on staying in Walla Walla. However, Pepper Bridge founder Norm McKibbon saw the potential in Pellet and made him Pepper Bridge winemaker. The brand has been going strong ever since. In addition to being winemaker at both Pepper Bridge and Amavi, Pellet is a partner in Artifex, the largest custom crush facility in Walla Walla, as well as the Octave Vineyard.
Pellet does very well in challenging vintages like 2015 where his winemaking experience separates him from others. I though that he did marvelously in 2019 and his 2020 wines show good structure and flavor densityy, coming off very clean. I love the new 2020 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 93) which is very fresh and fragrant with good structure. These wines start around 50 dollars in price, rising to 75 and up. Learn more at pepperbridge.com and here are the gorgeous new red wine releases by Pepper Bridge.
2022 Pepper Bridge Sauvignon Blanc- tThis beautiful wine has 10% Semillon blended in. The texture and weight from the Semillon is apparent, as this saw only 7% mew French oak before bottling. Ripe gooseberry and kiwi flavors collide with copious minerals and light nutty undertones on the palate. Fresh and viscous, with fantastic underlying finest, this is a outstanding effort that will cellar well over the next seven years. Drink 2023-2030- 93
2020 Pepper Bridge ‘Trine’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Trine’ combines 36% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot with smaller portions Malbec and Petit Verdot. Mainly sourced from the Pepper Bridge and Wailer Vineyards, this offers beautiful violets and dark currants on the nose with shades of Arabica bean and green peppercorns. The palate is plush and soft with a silky texture and great sense of weight and length. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2028- 92
2020 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon- The really good 2020 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon has 6% each of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc blended in. It is medium to full-bodied with great underlying acidity and texture. Layers of creme de violette, tar and mocha greet you alongside salty soil accents on the palate. This is delicious and generous Cabernet Sauvignon that is drinking brilliantly right now. Drink 2023-2029- 93
2020 Pepper Bridge ‘Pepper Bridge Vineyard’ Red Wine- The really good 2020 Pepper Bridge ‘Pepper Bridge Vineyard’ combines Merlot (39%) and Malbec (30%) with smaller parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot — all coming from the famed Pepper Bridge Vineyard. This is juicy and is brimming with weight, tension and mouth-watering acidity. Layers of heady dark fruits parade with milk chocolate, green bell pepper and Turkish coffee notes. No need to cellar this beauty. Drink 2023-2029- 94
2020 Pepper Bridge ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon with 25% Merlot and small parts Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Aged in 46% new French oak, this offers huckleberry and loamy soil notes alongside shades of black licorice on the palate. Showing a bright underling acidity and nice overall balance, this is best enjoyed now and over the next five to seven years. Drink 2023-2028- 93