2017 L'Ecole No 41 Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Bright medium red-ruby. Brooding aromas of briary blackberry, blueberry, licorice, menthol, herbs and black pepper. Suave and silky but slightly green on entry, then the dark fruit, pepper and spice flavors are tightened by herb and menthol qualities in the middle palate. This is savory more than sweet and does not show the early generosity of the Cabernet Sauvignon Estate. Conveys an impression of less consistent ripening than the 2016 version and finishes a bit dry and clenched. This wine clearly calls for patience.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Made from a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 14% Malbec, the 2017 Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard opens with a bold and expressive nose highlighted with aromas of stewed cherries, plum preserves and blackberry reduction. The wine has a subtle spiciness with hints of dried herbs and brown baking spices with baked earth elements. Full-bodied, the wine is pleasurable, generous and open-knit on the palate, ready for drinking upon release, with juicy and succulent tannins across the mid-palate. The wine is marked with structured finesse and has a long, lingering finish with persistent flavors of red plum, cocoa nibs and espresso beans.
Moving to the three flagship releases, the 2017 Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard checks in as 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 14% Malbec, and the balance Cabernet Franc. Its inky purple/ruby color is followed by a ripe yet pure nose of crème de cassis, black raspberries, crushed flowers, vanilla bean, charcoal, and dark chocolate. With full-bodied richness, a ripe, powerful style, terrific tannins, and a great finish, it's another sexy wine in this lineup that will round into form with 2-4 years of bottle age.