2016 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, it's the last day of Washington Wine Month, so let's go out with a bang!  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of my recent wine club shipment from Pepper Bridge Winery, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (come to think of it, I'm not sure I've even opened the 2015 vintage yet!).  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (78%), Merlot (9%), Malbec (6%), Cabernet Franc (4%) and Petit Verdot (3%) all sourced from the Seven Hills, Octave, Pepper Bridge and Yellow Jacket Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley.  The 2016 Vintage was interesting in that it started out very warm, with early bud break, but then shifted to cooler weather in the second half of summer, making for some classic Walla Walla wines.  So let's see how this one fares!

The wine is dark and brooding at the center, with bright ruby along the edges.  The nose is somewhat cool, with faint aromas of blackberry and blueberry intermingled with subtle notes of leather.  The taste is a rush of cherry, blackberry and cola that eases into some white pepper spice notes midpalate.  The velvety mouthfeel creates a full and lingering finish, with fine tannins providing a lingering, and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a classic Walla Walla Cabernet from a somewhat cooler vintage.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from steaks and chops, to pasta and barbecue.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime petite filet mignon, with a baked potato and some bacon roasted asparagus.  The wine is such a good friend of a delicious steak, cheers!