Kland Aida

9.2

My favorite place - Valtellina. Cherry, red fruit, bit of oaky fruit. Not too tannic and almost juicy and long finish. Very good wine overall. — 8 months ago

Bailey Murray

9.4

Absolutely delicious. Drank after a bottle of French champagne and what an absolute treat — 4 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

A very open and fruity style Valtellina. Nose has loads of rock-infused cherry juice, counterbalanced by some old library scents. Although the color is surprisingly light, the flavors are expansive, with fruit at the front end then giving way to what is essentially liquid stone flavors. Tannins there but in check, nice acids. Unique style. Great with crescia (basically Italian empanadas filled with greens, ham, and cheese, and fried in olive oil.) — 5 years ago

with Angelo

Ashley Parnell

9.1

Absolutely delicious! — 7 years ago

Andrews Gans

9.0

Невероятное и необычное! Очень вяжет во рту... но при этом очень интересное — 8 years ago

Adam Switzer

8.9

Super good for the price (about $4.50 usd). Tastes like a 25$ bottle. Love it. Hope we can find it in the states. — 9 years ago

Dan Crisan

9.1

Premium version — 9 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2012 - spicy smell, wagonloads of cherries, very round and still some tannins, with pheasant and wild ragout - at restaurant Hof Cleyn Mierde — 9 years ago

Bianca Banato

8.9

ruby red, strong fruity bouquet with light acidity but dry, juicy — 2 years ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.2

Overperformer! Amarone but with Nebbiolo. Craisin, cherry cordial, dried red pepper. — 3 years ago

Neal Ferry

8.9

Stellar Wine…. — 5 years ago

with TwiLea

Anna K

9.0

Light and crisp. Very good for summer evening — 6 years ago

Phillip Robinson

9.0

For what it is, great value and completely over delivers — 8 years ago

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

Angelo Casagrande

9.2

Such a nice wine. Maybe I was a little too excited about it last year when I gave it a 9.7. But my comments still stand. What kind of a tool would rate this 8.8?? ( see below for the exciting answer). — 2 years ago

with Tom and Douglas

Aaron Tan

8.9

Led with a smokey, almost petrol-like aroma, followed by heaps of toasty wood and an array of ripe stone fruits, particularly apricots and peaches, as well as some spice. Richly textured, it was undoubtedly full-bodied. Mild acidity, though sufficient to balance the richness. Finishes quite long with a nutty, woody element, and some mineral nuances. Not bad, though not my kind of wine. Might need some time to find a better balance. — 4 years ago

Carol Carregaro

8.9

Perfect at saturday afternoon with pasta 😊 — 6 years ago

Jodi Suguitan

8.9

@ L‘ Alchemista in Montefalco — 7 years ago

Robert Agans

9.7

Awesome. Perfect Sunday wine after a day of yard work and then walking 18 holes. Paired with turkey chili. Chopped carrots, sautéed onions, ground turkey, cannellini beans, pinto beans, canned peeled whole tomatoes and bio basil pasta sauce ... s&p, Italian seasoning and crushed dried red pepper. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The 14 Cabernet is a blend is 82% Cabernet, 9% Merlot, 4% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc. On the nose; ruby, elegant, black berries, black plum, dark cherries, poached strawberries, soft spice, anise, soft baking spices, dark rich soils and red & dark florals. The entry is rich, thick, full bodied elegance. The tannins are M+. Fruits are; blackberries, plum, black plum, dark cherries and black raspberries. Nice spices follow, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, violets & red fresh florals, rich dark soils, leather, tobacco, graphite, crushed dry rocks, underbrush with nice round acidity and a round, lush, elegant finish. Photos of; a wide shot of Pepper Bridge, Artifex custom crush facility, Winemaker, Jean-François Pellet and the view from their terrace. Producer notes...born and raised in Switzerland, Winemaker Jean-François Pellet is a third-generation wine grower. He earned degrees in both enology and viticulture. As part of his studies, he interned in Switzerland, Germany and the Napa Valley. After graduating, he managed vineyards and made wine in Switzerland and Spain. After his time in Europe, his experience and reputation brought him to Heitz Cellars in the Napa Valley, where he worked for four years. Pepper Bridge recruited him out of Heitz and he moved to Walla Walla to become that winery's creative force. His success at Pepper Bridge afforded him the opportunity to join the Amavi partnership. Jean-François Pellet is also a partner in Artifex, the areas very successful custom crush facility. Additionally, he is also a founding member and current vice-president of the Walla Walla Valley's sustainable agriculture organization, VINEA. Quite a resume! It was a pleasure meeting him. He is a very kind person and an extremely knowledgeable Winemaker. Thank you for all of your time & knowledge during our visit.
— 9 years ago