Paul Bennett

8.9

Any vintner that sources grapes from Leonetti is worth a shot. This is well worth it. — 5 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

Price Hardman

9.5

Sweet Christ. What an exquisite wine. Tasted side by side with Leonetti, and this is better. — 9 years ago

Boxer Briefs

9.7

Beautiful, red fruit with some floral notes. 22 years later this #wine is kicking ass. Tasted along 92 leonetti rsv. Both were awesome — 10 years ago

Robert Cunningham

Wine Educator DeVinimus, Wine Workshop

9.2

Big fruit but showing nicely — 6 years ago

David Wanek

9.9

Probably my wine of the summer. Had it alongside a 2013 Leonetti Reserve and this one had an extra gear. Wow. — 7 years ago

Eric Adams

9.2

One of the better domestic Sangiovese up there with Leonetti. — 8 years ago

with Steph

Rick K

9.2

Really good Merlot. All it should be. — 9 years ago

Rick K

9.1

1993. Interesting nose of olive, bell pepper and blackberry. Alive with tart cherry dominating. Will be fun to follow over a couple of hours. — 9 years ago

Manny Jemente

9.0

Fruit farmed by Figgins family of Leonetti Cellars. — 9 years ago

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.7

Some of the best old stuff gets returned here... Not everybody is ready for 22 year old, great wine! Still youthful, this polished wine would be ideal with some prime rib! — 10 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.1

Tasted blind. Deep purple. Opaque. Nose of plum, mocha, some pepper and cassis. At first , just some nice fruit with not much structure. With air the backbone grows. Not fully balanced and the finish is a little thin, but still a nice drink. Guessed old Cal Cab from 70s. — 7 years ago

Paul Masson

9.0

Leonetti fruit, vinified by Trisaetum — 7 years ago

jerod peitsmeyer

9.9

keeps getting better and better. one of my favorite Walla Walla Cabs ever. This wine is every bit as good if not better that Q. Creek and Leonetti. Sorry, score hounds, it just is. It's balanced. — 8 years ago

David Wanek

9.4

Would like to try this next to the Leonetti Merlot — 9 years ago

Eliot Fagley

9.3

Sangio education day at my house. This vs Leonetti sangio for comparison. Kept getting better over two days. — 9 years ago

with Gregory

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 — 10 years ago