Pepper Bridge Winery, Walla Walla Valley (Washington) Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

 Sourced predominantly from the Seven Hill vineyard, this wine is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and small amounts of the related Bordeaux varieties.  Aging was in French oak, 50% new, for twenty months, and when tasted the wine had been in bottle for two years.  The aroma is classic Walla Walla with blackberry fruit, leathery notes, and secondary scents of anise and oak spice.  Quite full-bodied, but the flavors are compact and power packed.  Mild tannins and a bit of sweet, toasty oak round out the multi-layered flavors.  This has a long life ahead, so cellar for at least 5 to 6 years.