A small winery in the Seattle area, producing premium red wines from Merlot and Cabernet. Owner Chris Camarda presented a very strong line up -- for me, these proved to be the clear stand-outs of the tasting. All these wines are serious and most are probably ageworthy. This winery is a Merlot specialist, and the four examples on show here were different yet equally impressive. These wines are only made in tiny quantities, so tracking them down will require some effort.

Pepper Bridge Sangiovese 1999
A deep purple/red colour, this attractive wine is true to its variety. The herb and spice nose leads to a lovely deep rich palate with firm dusty tannins and high acidity. Very good/excellent

Seven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
The nose shows ripe blackcurrant fruit and sophisticated new oak, with a sweet caramel-like undercurrent. On the palate there is a nice balance between the sweet, concentrated fruit and careful oaking. Very good/excellent

1998 Sorella
A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. Although it isn't as deep coloured as the other reds here, this is a complex, ageworthy wine. The sweet nose of ripe fruit and spice leads to a tannic, balanced palate. Very good/excellent

1999 Seven Hills Merlot (Walla Walla Valley)
Some 300 cases made of this impressive wine. Lovely deep, seductive nose of exotic herbs, spice and red fruits. Powerful, youthful palate with sophisticated oaking and dense, rich fruit -- vanilla notes combine nicely with spice and berry flavours. Very Good/excellent

1999 Pepper Bridge Merlot (Walla Walla Valley)
400 cases made. The oak is quite prominent on the nose. Lovely full, rich palate, but the oak is quite prominent and the fruit a touch green. May well come together, and there's certainly lots of density and presence here. Very good+

1999 Klipsun Merlot
Some 500 cases produced. Dense purple black colour, with a lovely pungency to the herbal, exotic nose. The palate is rich, ripe and exotic, with plenty of oak, and showing a little more ripeness and softness than the other wines here. A forward, seductive style. Very good/excellent

1999 Ciel de Cheval Merlot (Red Mountain, Yakima Valley)
500 cases made. Deep red/black colour, with a forward, spicy nose showing ripe fruit and tar. Concentrated and dense on the palate with a lovely spicy edge and high acidity: herby, rich and complex. Very good/excellent