2016 Pepper Bridge Merlot Walla Walla Valley
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Tasting notes
Dark medium red. Aromas of plum, redcurrant, cherry, mocha, tobacco and earth are accented by sexy brown spices. Plush and refined but not at all overly thick, offering lovely inner-mouth definition and finesse to its flavors of redcurrant, plum and spices. The wine's 14% Cabernet Franc component adds floral and peppery treble notes. Finishes spicy and persistent, with a fine dusting of tannins and solid underlying structure. A lovely Walla Walla Merlot from a year that benefitted from moderate harvest-time weather. (aged in French oak, 42% new)
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
Mostly Merlot with 14% Cabernet Franc and 8% Malbec added in, the 2016 Merlot starts with a core of soft red fruit—red plum and red cherries—giving way to florals and a soft liveliness. The medium-bodied palate is clean and correct, but the fruit turns more tart on the palate and finish. The wine has a smooth and watery cinnamon-spiced note on the soft, lingering finish. 1,146 cases produced.
Thereâs a strong, ripe-plum edge here with notes of toffee and sweet, young leather. The palate has round, fleshy ripe plums in abundance and delivers a succulent, approachable all-round style. Drink now.
The 2016 Merlot (there's 14% Cabernet Franc and 8% Malbec) sports a deep purple/ruby color as well as an exotic quality in its red currants, black cherry, orange zest, and leafy herb aromas and flavors. It's ripe, sexy, and layered on the palate, with medium to full-bodied richness, and is a ripe, plump, pleasure-bent Merlot that's well worth your time and money.