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

Jean-Pierre Meesters

9.3

Good nose and a great body. Super price vs quality — 10 years ago

Josh Orr

9.7

amazing nose of herbs and sweet red fruit. Super soft on palate with great texture. #cdp #msclassic #icon — 10 years ago

with Wendy and Brian

Josh Orr

9.4

Winner for most surprising wine of the night. Still vibrant and really delicious. #Napa #icon #cabernet #msclassic — 11 years ago

with Wendy

ToM Stransky

10

It's been a few years since last visiting this icon and midnight on a Sunday seemed like a good idea. #Absolutelyoutstanding and preferred over all of its peers. Opulence in the autolysis department yet enough fruit to balance and keep it focused. Quintessential 'spoil yourself' champagne at the top of the class. If only I could make it a weekly event..TS — 11 years ago

Andrew Wilson

9.0

Smooth and round with a light body. Thoroughly enjoyed it. — 11 years ago

Peter Scudamore-Smith MW

9.5

An Australian icon-aged Clare Valley Riesling (in those days called Rhine Riesling unfortunately due to our country's slim knowledge base but later corrected against a barrage of opposition from conservatives and industrial makers of riesling, but not using riesling!) Classic glass of flavour; #honey #burnttoast #agedriesling #brulee #butter #crunch #yum #mouthful #watervale #treasuryestates ; wine made by the great man John Vickery before his defection to Richmond Grove when the Fosters people closed the brand down; but now it is back! Wine won three gold medals in the year of production-1990; probably never shown since. 12.5%; 1990 a terrific red year, usually not so for riesling; this had backbone; sweet acidity; nut power. — 12 years ago

Maciek Gontarz

9.6

Icon. Future of serious Vinho Verde, even more serious Alvarinho. Amazing wine! — 12 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 💥 — 9 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 — 9 years ago

Nancy

9.8

Ahhhh soo good — 10 years ago

Dakota Hewlett

9.4

Oberon! Summer is on its way! This is a Michigan beer icon. — 10 years ago

Josh Orr

9.8

One of the most memorable bottles of wine in my life. Elegance and purity defined. #burgundy #icon #desertislandwine — 10 years ago

with Max

Denis Roudenko

9.4

17.5/20 (94/100)

#chile #dwchile #maulevalley #dwmaulevalley #club750ml #pts94 #bordeauxblend — 11 years ago

Andrew Whittle

Co-Owner/Director Summit Estate Wines

9.2

2012 vintage - current release of an Aussie icon - lean in style - a lovely drink at this age, with better things still to come? — 11 years ago

Aaron Means

9.5

Continues to carry the flag for Texas wines. To me, this is the icon of Texas wine production. Consistently velvety red fruits, leather, a little jalapeño jelly, and soft tannins. — 11 years ago

Brad Taylor

9.6

In a word......Outstanding!!!! — 12 years ago

Marilyn Haysom

9.0

Great flavour, intensity and softness - a Barossa icon! — 13 years ago

John Kemper

9.1

The pale straw '10 Nobilo Icon Sauvignon Blanc has fresh aromatics of pink grapefruit, citrus peel, gooseberry and a hint of litter box. The refreshing palate has flinty minerality and juicy acidity. It's a little more restrained than most NZ SB's. Nice tropical fruit in the generous and persistent finish. — 13 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. — 9 years ago

Gregg Gordon

9.2

Delicious blend to balance the Malbec — 9 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 — 10 years ago

Neil Barratt

9.0

Delicious fruity and complex. Alcohol comes through more than I would like. — 10 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 — 10 years ago

with Max

Ricardo Beltran

9.1

Not its best version, still too young still, but one can I say? An icon, Alicante's mentor! — 11 years ago

Matté

Manager The Wine Cellars

9.1

Big floral red fruit, über inviting but with a slate/mineral pull on the finish. — 11 years ago

Craig Mitchell

9.6

A decade down the track- this is brilliant. Gorgeous fruit, balanced oak, and still a zingy acid line that makes me wonder about years ahead. Aussie icon Chard. — 11 years ago

Nestor Gonzalez

9.4

Fantastic! A spanish icon. To drink now, in 5, 10, 15 and 20 years. A wine from the Vega Sicilia winemaker for 30 years. — 12 years ago

Katya Smith

9.5

Wine from Wink — 12 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.3

Estate bottled wines from the icon valley — 13 years ago