Jan de Weerd

9.4

Beautiful Bordeaux blend expression of Walla Walla. Concentrated fruit that stays centered. Vibrant, intense yet nuanced dark fruit flavors carried by rounded tannins. — a month ago

Joe Roth

9.3

Delicious Chris Figgins wine. — 5 years ago

with Michael and Jeff

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The 14 is a blend of 77% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc & 7% Merlot. Nose of; ruby dark cassis, blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, black raspberries, hues of blue fruits, pepper and liquid violets. The mouthfeel is lush & ruby. M+ body & M+ tannins. Blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries and hues of blue fruits. Crushed rocks, soft leather, dry herbs, underbrush, loamy soil powder, notes of cigar, violets, dark florals, nice acidity and beautifully round, lush finish with sex appeal. Photos of; an aerial view of Pepper Bridge, estate grapes going through veraison, Owner-Norm McKibben, and ground shot of the estate. Producer notes and history...Norm McKibben is one of founding fathers of Walla Walla's wine industry. To his good friends and colleagues, he is better know as "Stormin' Norman." In Norm's 30 plus years in Walla Walla, the valley has evolved from a 40 vineyard acres to an appellation with more than 2,800 acres under vine. A good portion of the boom can be attributed to Norm even after coming to the game late after working for several decades as an engineer in the construction industry. Not wanting to retire after, he moved to Walla Walla to become an apple farmer. In 1989, he realized Walla Walla's potential for grape growing. Norm planted his first vineyard with help from his wife, Virginia and their eldest son, Shane. Two years later, Norm added Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. These vines soon became the backbone of Pepper Bridge. Not long after he expanded his business and resume further. Norm got involved in the budding wine industry. He served as a partner and director at Canoe Ridge Vineyards, Hogue Cellars and worked with a number of Walla Walla's leading vintners. In 1996, he partnered with Gary Figgins of Leonetti Cellar and Marty Clubb of L'Ecole No. 41. At this point, McKibben had increased his vineyard holdings to 200 acres. In 1998, Norm officially started Pepper Bridge Winery. Today, Pepper Bridge Winery is a benchmark property in Walla Walla and Norm is an icon of the industry. He manages and consults for more than 600 acres of the top vineyard sites in Walla Walla; Pepper Bridge, Seven Hills and Les Collines. Norm also has introduced state of the art irrigation systems, soil moisture temperature monitoring equipment and sustainable farming techniques. Norm is a big believer in sustainable viticulture. All of his vineyards are certified sustainable by VINEA, the Walla Walla Valley's Sustainable Trust, and LIVE, an Oregon-based sustainable viticulture organization. They are also certified Salmon Safe and are monitored by the IOBC, the international body responsible for setting sustainability standards. In 1998, the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers honored Norm as "Grape Grower of the Year." That same year, he was appointed chair of the Washington Wine Commission and served in that position until retiring from the organization in 2001. If there is a Maverick of the Walla Walla wine producers, it would be Norm. — 9 years ago

Roland Boney

9.5

Possibly my favorite Washington State Cabernet in Walla Walla. The Figgins family spares no expense and commitment to excellence. From nose to taste and finish, every aspect of this varietal is most outstanding. — 11 years ago

with Missy

Manny Jemente

9.0

Fruit farmed by Figgins family of Leonetti Cellars. — 12 years ago

"Odedi"

9.0

Dark red in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose with chocolates and earth notes.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with sweet raspberries, cherries, red currants, light wood, earth, spices, chocolates, tobacco and herbs.

Tangy finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Petit Verdot/Merlot blend from Walla Walla Valley. Rich and spicy. Bold and good by itself or with food. Tangy and interesting.

Feels like it needs a few more years in the bottle to mature properly. Would be nice to revisit it in 3 years and see how it evolves.

A nice sipping wine, with a deep staining color.

A blend of Petit Verdot and Merlot. Aged in (11% new) French oak barrels for 22 months.

14.3% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$55. — 4 months ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 2014 Sangiovese from Leonetti was Sourced from the Seven Hills, Loess, Mill Creek Upland and Serra Pedace vineyards, and incudes a small percentage of Aglianico (5%). This absolutely stunning Sangiovese opens with intense aromatics of red cherries, raspberries, cigar box and rose petals. The palate has wonderful minerality and shows impressive mid-palate weight, with flavors of dark cherry, red raspberries, pipe tobacco, milk chocolate, mint and pencil shavings that expand effortlessly. The astringency is absolutely wonderful, as is the long, mineral and dark fruit driven finish. This wine will cellar exceedingly well for a decade or more as this is a tremendous showing by Chris Figgins who has carefully crafted one of the most compelling examples new world Sangiovese that you will find. Drink 2019-2029- 94 — 7 years ago

Justin Cykler

9.2

Toil Oregon (of Figgins Family Wine Estates) has hit the make with this fine Pinot Noir Rose, just in time for spring/summer and the foods we make when the sun (re)emerges. Willamette Valley knows Pinot. — 9 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.5

Deep ruby red with high intensity. Slight tight on opening but still thick nose that is coated with dark berries and dark chocolate. Showed notes of plums, coco leaves, new leather, and baking spices with some air. Moderate plus tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Layered and complex palate. Palate starts off with some bitter chocolate, cola and plums. Super long and lingering finish. Semi dry too. First wine made by Chris Figgins that we have tried, very impressed and looking forward to more. Drink till 2030. — 10 years ago

with Sean and India

Richard Crone

10

1st release from Chris Figgins of Figgins Family Estate and Leonetti Wines! One of the 3 best PNs I have ever tasted! Flawless, perfect balance and fruit. Grapes from Eola-Amity and Ribbon Ridge AVAs. Not your typical Oregon PN — 12 years ago

Tom Elliot

Founder Northwest Wines

9.3

No sign of age at nearly 16. Still loaded with its primary fruit. — a year ago

Kelly Keene

9.4

Amazing. Dry, Citrus and apple notes? Med body, Decent finish, perfect for sipping or with a light meal — 4 years ago

David Wanek

9.6

Cabernet any way you want it. Split decision amongst the crowd on WOTN. All showing well. The FRA and ITA need much more time. The Figgins was singing. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Gorgeous cherry aromatics, sweet soils, soft baking spices, vanilla, coffee grounds, soft liqueur notes and red roses & violets. On the palate, ripe gorgeous blackberries, dark cherries, plum notes, black raspberries, raspberries, strawberries, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, love the minerality, fresh acidity and a beautiful cherry finish. This will get better with 7-10 years in the bottle but it's really hard not to enjoy now. Merlot at its best! Photos of; Gary and Nancy Figgins home, stainless cellar fermenting tanks, branded logo barrel, and Amy Figgins hosting our tasting in their tasting room. Thanks to Amy and her cousin Jason (Viticulturist) for sharing all your time & knowledge. — 9 years ago

Michael Leeper

9.3

Chris Figgins sure can make a great wine. This one is drinking very well at 8yrs old. — 10 years ago

Christine Havens

9.1

This beguiling blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot hails from Seven Hills Vineyard in Walla Walla—an interesting fruit trade between Trisaetum and Leonetti Cellars' Chris Figgins. 1841 brings to the table classic Walla Walla Valley comportment. Restrained and yet heady, with notes of blackberry coulis, black currant, graphite, anise, and violets. Don't let the 14.7% ABV deter you, the alcohol, like the oak is well integrated and as a final touch it proffers cola and spice on a rather satiny and lengthy finish. Sample — 11 years ago