2010 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla
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Tasting notes
(14.5% alcohol): Healthy bright ruby-red. Restrained, pure aromas of currant, mocha, brown spices and subtle oak lifted by a floral accent. Suave and savory on the palate, with currant, plum, herb and burnished spicy oak elements perfuming the mouth. Lovely refined texture and energy here. Finishes with very suave but serious building tannins, with a peppery element contributing energy without coming off as overly herbal. I can’t recall tasting a finer cabernet from this winery.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Bright crimson. Tomato-leaf nose and the fruit is a bit brutal. Thick and sweet. Just a bit clod hopping. (JR)
Also structured and tannic, the 2010 Pepper Bridge Vineyard (51% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot) has knockout aromas of black cherry, licorice, earth and graphite. Gaining more background herb-like qualities with air, it flows on to the palate with a medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated feel, masses of tannin and outstanding length through the finish. Give it 2-3 years and enjoy over the following decade or more. Drink 2016-2025. Focusing on estate fruit from Pepper Bridge, Seven Hills and Les Collines Vineyards, Pepper Bridge Winery is located in the middle of the Walla Walla Valley AVA, with the wines made by Swiss Jean-Francois Pellet. While the Merlot is relatively up-front and approachable, the Cabernet Sauvignon and single vineyard efforts will all benefit from cellar time and are not for the tannin averse. Tel. (509) 525-6502