Figgins
Pepper Bridge
Estate Vineyards Walla Walla Valley Merlot 2014
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. — 7 years ago
Figgins
Figlia Walla Walla Valley Red Blend
One of the best crisp acidic red blends out of the Columbia valley. A spin-off of Leonetti’s success and heritage. — 2 years ago
Marchesi Antinori
Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore Red Bordeaux Blend 2016
Cabernet any way you want it. Split decision amongst the crowd on WOTN. All showing well. The FRA and ITA need much more time. The Figgins was singing. — 5 years ago
Leonetti Cellar
Columbia Valley Merlot 2015
Gorgeous cherry aromatics, sweet soils, soft baking spices, vanilla, coffee grounds, soft liqueur notes and red roses & violets. On the palate, ripe gorgeous blackberries, dark cherries, plum notes, black raspberries, raspberries, strawberries, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, love the minerality, fresh acidity and a beautiful cherry finish. This will get better with 7-10 years in the bottle but it's really hard not to enjoy now. Merlot at its best! Photos of; Gary and Nancy Figgins home, stainless cellar fermenting tanks, branded logo barrel, and Amy Figgins hosting our tasting in their tasting room. Thanks to Amy and her cousin Jason (Viticulturist) for sharing all your time & knowledge. — 7 years ago
Leonetti Cellar
Walla Walla Valley Merlot 2008
Chris Figgins sure can make a great wine. This one is drinking very well at 8yrs old. — 8 years ago
Figgins
Walla Walla Valley Riesling 2021
Amazing. Dry, Citrus and apple notes? Med body, Decent finish, perfect for sipping or with a light meal — 2 years ago
Leonetti Cellar
Walla Walla Valley Sangiovese 2014
The 2014 Sangiovese from Leonetti was Sourced from the Seven Hills, Loess, Mill Creek Upland and Serra Pedace vineyards, and incudes a small percentage of Aglianico (5%). This absolutely stunning Sangiovese opens with intense aromatics of red cherries, raspberries, cigar box and rose petals. The palate has wonderful minerality and shows impressive mid-palate weight, with flavors of dark cherry, red raspberries, pipe tobacco, milk chocolate, mint and pencil shavings that expand effortlessly. The astringency is absolutely wonderful, as is the long, mineral and dark fruit driven finish. This wine will cellar exceedingly well for a decade or more as this is a tremendous showing by Chris Figgins who has carefully crafted one of the most compelling examples new world Sangiovese that you will find. Drink 2019-2029- 94 — 5 years ago
Toil Oregon
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Rosé 2016
Toil Oregon (of Figgins Family Wine Estates) has hit the make with this fine Pinot Noir Rose, just in time for spring/summer and the foods we make when the sun (re)emerges. Willamette Valley knows Pinot. — 8 years ago
Leonetti Cellar
Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep ruby red with high intensity. Slight tight on opening but still thick nose that is coated with dark berries and dark chocolate. Showed notes of plums, coco leaves, new leather, and baking spices with some air. Moderate plus tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Layered and complex palate. Palate starts off with some bitter chocolate, cola and plums. Super long and lingering finish. Semi dry too. First wine made by Chris Figgins that we have tried, very impressed and looking forward to more. Drink till 2030. — 8 years ago
John Pavlovich
From a magnum. A fantastic wine. I have enjoyed Leonetti wines before, but this is my first experience with Figgins. Dense, complex and flavourful, with a long authoritative aftertaste, quite impressive. It’s almost ready, with many more years of life ahead of it. Better on 2nd and 3rd day when it completely opened up. Makes me want more.
— 3 days ago