Chris MacLean

9.2

Great with maialino from Mater. Drinking so well already. Open and balanced. — 6 years ago

with Sarah

Rachelle Mazar

8.9

Lime on the nose. Frizzante. — 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

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

Matt Tornabene

8.9

My names Mater without the To - one of best examples I've ever tasted of any vintage of this wine but still seems like a rusty old tow truck - not worth it for me — 10 years ago

Ana María Araya Ugarte

9.4

Excelente!!! — 10 years ago

Gustavo Gitti

9.4

The best Amarone... — 7 years ago

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

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

Antonio Valiente - Chip

9.0

Excelente tempranillo, buen sabor y buen final — 9 years ago

with Bia

Travis Morningstar

9.2

rust-flavored -- in a good way! — 10 years ago

Hal Ozanne

9.0

Cal Poly is my Alma Mater so I have to like the wine. It has aged a few years in our cellar. Enjoyable. I would recommend it! — 10 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2015 / made from Malvasia, Greco and Bombino. Powerfull spicyness. Nice Frascati. Paired with Surinam Plaice and afterwards Leidse kaas / cheese from Leiden, cumin and carawayseed flavoured cheese. — 7 years ago

Colleen Farrell

9.0

Had at Aunt Janet’s at Christmas — 7 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.7

What an amazing wine. Super nose that jumps out at ya. Big cherry. Big big fucking cherry. Spices, plum, semi sweet cocoa, such aromas. Totally spellbinding. Also a sense of gamey, meaty and smokey aromas add complexity. Awesome. Palate is vibrant, deep and so juicy, with amazing fruit and terrific acid and structure. What concentration! This has tannins that are soft but ever present, but so velvety. So pure and dazzlingly fresh. Really long finish that takes over the palate. The purity of this is incredible. What a mouthfeel as well. 100% Gamay in Amphorae. — 9 years ago

Dan Crisan

9.1

Premium version — 9 years ago

Jim McCusker

8.9

A little disjoint compared to when I've had this before - uneven on the palate with a clipped finish. If this were a wine I'd call it bottle shock - but still a good beer to start off a return visit to my Alma Mater, Bucknell University! — 9 years ago

Andrea Jacoby

9.0

Really unique story, flavor profile and color... I found this at Bacchanal in New Orleans... it was featured on their flight. Go out and find it! — 9 years ago

nori inamura

8.9

Sweet and smooth — 10 years ago