L'Ecole No 41 Apogee Pepperbridge Vineyard 2020

This has a gorgeous nose of blackcurrants, sandalwood, cloves, violets, cracked pepper and black raspberries. It's full-bodied, beautifully balanced and structured, with a firm, solid tannin frame and waves of black fruit and spice. Vibrant backbone of acidity. Firm and compact. 56% cabernet sauvignon, 28% merlot, 12% malbec and 4% cabernet franc. Try in 2026.

Moving to the Bordeaux varietal releases, the 2020 Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard checks in as 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 12% Malbec, and the rest Cabernet Franc. Its ruby/plum color is followed by a beautiful wine offering medium to full-bodied aromas and flavors of red and black currants, dried tobacco, loamy earth, and lead pencil shavings. Balanced, layered, and elegant on the palate, it has terrific tannins, a great mid-palate, and a great finish. It's a beautiful, elegant, seamless wine from this estate with tons to love. It's going to evolve for 15 years or more.

Shades of violet and lavender give way to ancient stones and orange-tinged blackberries as the 2020 Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard blossoms in the glass. This splashes across the palate with a refined blend of dark red and blue fruits, while a strong undercurrent of minerality adds a tactile edge toward the close. A mass of tart wild berry concentration mingles with grippy tannins, leaving the mouth watering for more. The 2020 finishes potent-structured for a long and steady evolution.

This Cabernet Sauvignon-driven blend saw time in 100% French oak, 40% new. Muddled mint and dark raspberry aromas are joined by tiny notes of balsa and seared steak. Grippy tannins make for a chewy texture while supporting blackberry, espresso and crème brulée flavors.