Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.1

2023 vintage. More fruit than mineral driven. A big spearmint note. Fresh, delicious and a great price. Apparently, the Roussanne vineyard is disease-ridden and out of commission for at least 3 years so this could be it for Alban whites for a spell. They are supposedly not buying fruit any longer. 5.9.24. — 8 months ago

Ichiro Kawachi

9.3

2003 vintage which I carried back from WHO Commission on SDH meeting in Santiago Chile fourteen years ago. Still kept its mushroomy squid inky tree bark Carmenere punch. — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.3

100+ year old vines from the foot of Château de Quéribus, the last Cathar stronghold, and probably the most epic looking castle ever (seriously, look at it, google images...). Jeb Dunnuck scored less than ten 2013 Chateauneuf du Papes higher than this, and for good reason. This is what I imagine strawberry shortcake would taste like if you were some how able to commission Pierre Hermé to pull one together on-the-fly for you. Hedonistic and raw, but with rounded edges. Just as you think you've wrapped your head around it, it turns a corner and unveils something new. True to Roussillon, hedonistic, honest, better than any Cotes du Rhone I've ever tasted, and at less than $20, it's simply one of greatest values possible in all wine. — 8 years ago

Heather Howard

8.9

From the WA wine commission. Tobacco, lush blackberry fruit with firm yet round tannins. 45% Mourvèdre 45% Grenache, 10% Syrah. Drinking tonight with pasta. — 10 years ago

Ron R

9.4

Wifey is out of commission, so to speak, so I had to hunt and provide. Locked in on jerk chicken with roasted veggies.
She wanted something light in the glass (relative to cab), so I opted for Aston. Nose presents cinnamon. Mid palate is gnarly, rustic and textured. Loads of barrel toast and a hint of tart cherries, with prominent acidity. Finish keeps going… we may have under clubbed our rating. — 4 years ago

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. — 7 years ago

Nicholas Dunlap

9.0

No board meetings, no commission hearings, just chilling at home with a longtime favorite. — 9 years ago

Christian Fischer

9.2

This drinks great. Vanilla and dark berries. Very nice hidden gem — 4 years ago

Casey @ Travelling Corkscrew

10

Rosé and comfort food - heck yes! Growing up my mum made ‘sausage swirls’ which are pastry, sausage, potato and cheese swirls. And now they’re my go-to comfort food - however I add a jar of jalapeños 🌶 for a bit of a kick 🙌

I thought they’d be a great match to this bottle of Lansdowne 2019 Pinot Rosé which we were sent as a sample from Good Pair Days (thanks guys!).

Only a small quantity of this wine was made (177 cases in fact) due to extreme weather conditions that year.

If you want to give it a whirl, and/or try out the Good Pair Days experience, make sure to add the code “travellingcorkscrew” for a discount at the checkout 😉

I felt like I was watching the sunset 🌅 as the red-y orange like liquid was poured into my glass. On the nose it had me thinking about wild strawberries 🍓, tangerine and pink grapefruit. While in the mouth it’s smooth and hella delicious. Refreshing, comforting and bloody yum.

This wine was sent to me as a sample, I was under no obligation to post about it. By using the above promo code I will receive a small amount of commission.

All opinions are based on my own taste buds. Wine is subjective & always evolving, so make sure you drink what you enjoy!
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— 4 years ago

Carl Fischer

9.5

First, yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, and his name is @Martin G Rivard. Second, wow! First time trying this wine and I am blown away by the aroma, the flavors and the mouthfeel. A dark purple/red in color, there is so much going on with the nose. The dark fruits explode on the palate and mix with vanilla and cassis. Silky smooth and mouth-coating, this is amazing. But the ABV is making day drinking a challenge (or NOT 😉). Just wow. Thank you Martin for this and introducing me to Beau Vigne (you should get a commission!!). — 8 years ago