Jeff Thompson

9.9

This is lovely!! Like a stewed red berries and cinnamon slightly on the nose. Black currant yummyness. Sort of a christmasy excitement I would say. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

An icon of Australian Red wine. Unfortunately a strong whiff of H2S on the Nose. I have struck this problem previously with also Henschke Mount Edelstone on a couple of occasions. The hallmark of this wine has always been its beautiful supple silky tannins with flavours of plum and raspberry. Tannins totally resolved. The product of a 140 year single vineyard in the Eden Valley. Unfortunately prices these days have gone through the roof. I hope we don’t encounter the H2S in subsequent bottles. — 6 years ago

with Georgina

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. — 8 years ago

Nancy

9.8

Ahhhh soo good — 8 years ago

Dakota Hewlett

9.4

Oberon! Summer is on its way! This is a Michigan beer icon. — 9 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.2

Some wines restore your faith in life. Ridge zins always ring true. Dark, grape purple in the glass with a blast of ripe black fruit, American oak and bramble bush stem. A true American icon... and a true American bargain. — 5 years ago

Chris England

9.4

A new upcoming Chilean icon blend @ £100-£120 that’s becoming a favourite of mine 😍 Did you know they play relaxing music to the wine in the barrel whilst it develops 💗 I reviewed the 2012 a few weeks back 😉 and can’t wait for 2013 to come out! I’ve still not tried their first 2010 release ... yet

📍 Vina VIK 2011

🏵 94 points w/ much more potential 👍

🍇 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Carmenere, 7% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot & 4% Syrah 😍

🍷Opaque blackened ruby

👃 Chocolatey spicy rich blackcurrant & dark plum w/ soft oak, vanilla, blackberry, raspberry, dark cherry, wet leaves, herbs, a hint of purple flower, blueberry & minerals

👄 Full body of rich silky intense but balanced black fruits in oozy melted chocolate & creamy blueberry w/ a raspberry liquorice backbone in fine rock minerals

🎯 Long black fruit, raspberry, touch dry mineral & cocoa linger w/ a lasting purple teeth stain 😁 — 6 years ago

Ron Curtola

9.1

Remarkably well preserved. Color still ruby. From a true icon. — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.3

My 2nd try of this £90+ Chilean icon - superb now but 95-98 in 5-10yrs 👍

▶️ Bottle #8661

🍇 55% Cab Sauv, 29% Carmenere, 7% Cab F, 5% Merlot & 4% Syrah

🍷Opaque ruby w/ purple hue

👃 Chocolatey spicy rich blackcurrant & dark plum w/ soft oak, vanilla, wet leaves & light minerals

👄 Full body of rich silky intense black fruits beautifully balanced in oozy chocolate & med acidity

🎯 Long slight sweet & dry black fruits & cocoa linger w/ purple teeth stain 💥 — 8 years ago

Gregg Gordon

9.2

Delicious blend to balance the Malbec — 8 years ago

with Ralph

Antonio Gianola

9.5

An icon from a bygone era. Rosso worthy of 10yrs if bottle age. Poggio di Sotto is my spirit animal — 8 years ago

Josh Orr

9.7

amazing nose of herbs and sweet red fruit. Super soft on palate with great texture. #cdp #msclassic #icon — 9 years ago

with Wendy and Brian

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.2

God I love aged California zin! BlackBerry, smoke and black pepper leap from the glass. Silky smooth and round in the mouth, the wine has transcended any rough notes or tannin. Incredible lightness belies any noticeable acid or ABV. These guys always get it right. A true American icon! — 6 years ago

Ruud Verhagen

9.1

Icon wine with a lot of Eiken...!! — 7 years ago

Douglas Braun

9.0

This is from walla walla fantastic Cabernet Sauvignon character currants, mint spice good extraction and surprising 13.5 abv — 7 years ago

Jimmy Masters

9.0

Nice very drinkable red from Washington’s Columbia Valley. Rich plum and other dark fruits, smokey with warm silk finish. — 7 years ago

Brad Pejcic

9.3

Was pretty closed to start with but opening up beautifully over a few days and really started to grow on me. Dark fruits, cedar, tobacco and a little violet on the nose. Became more structured and chewy the longer it was open. — 8 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.3

Cabernet from Campania, typically around 50-70% with Aglianico and Merlot making up the balance. In 2004 the cepage is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Aglianico.

One of the icon wines of Italy, Montevetrano can sometimes fly under the radar, known less to the mainstream crowd of wine drinkers but those that do know it love it.

The best part is that Montevetrano has its own expression entirely, it does not try to be one of the other thousands of Bordeaux or Napa wannabes. Judicious oak, ample acidity, good fruit an mineral presence. Not to mention it is 12 years old and is just starting to show some tertiary notes. The color is pristine, a deep ruby red.
#montevetrano — 8 years ago

Jean-Pierre Meesters

9.3

Good nose and a great body. Super price vs quality — 9 years ago

Josh Orr

9.5

Mote density then the Amoureuses and slightly darker fruit. By itself a truly incredible wine but takes a backseat to the Les Amoureuses #burgundy #icon #chambollemusigny — 9 years ago

with Max