Wine & Country Living

Here comes fall and the promise of change. Today I watched the leaves from my maple tree fall to the ground while "Gary Cooper," the gentleman kitty, stopped skittering around the yard just long enough to say, "welcome to my world," bat the catnip and lavender into oblivion and chase a squirrel into the pines!

At our local wineries, Fall Release is nearing: November 4-6. But I am not waiting for the crowds, it's my cookbook editor's birthday, so I drove out to Pepper Bridge Winery, Walla Walla for a gift of wine. Winemaker, Jean Francois is famous for his Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines.

This winery is all estate grown and pampered beyond belief. It's an education just driving the road into the winery parking lot with its incredible glimpse into the intricate tying and trellising of wine vines, some 12-feet tall, neatly staked along the road.

After a few minutes in the tasting room, I settled on the Pepper Bridge '07 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, an expensive bottle comparatively speaking at $55 suggested retail price. However, I was buying this bottle as a gift for someone special on their birthday, so the price was not an issue.

But my timing was and off, I drove to Tucannon Meat Company for a stack of Clean Grass Fed New York Steaks for the birthday dinner.

As I drove back into town, the juicy black cherries from the '07 Cabernet Sauvignon tasting continued to roll around in my mouth. The entire flavor profile of this wine is exquisite, starting with a nosey smattering of dark chocolate, cheeks flushed in violet and plumy fruits with a long winding tongue wrapped in cassis and new leather.

Pepper Bridge is a winery you should not miss if you really want to get a true perspective on great wine making of the valley. One hundred percent estate grown, this winery participates in sustainable farming practices.

Because Jean Francoise's classic wine making signature resides in every bottle of Pepper Bridge wine, yours truly, Judith Henderson of Wine and Country Living, gives 98 points for the delectable Pepper Bridge '07 Cabernet Sauvignon; a wine French barreled 21 months, splashed in merlot, cab franc, malbec and petit verdot. Congrats' Jean and staff at Pepper Bridge Winery! 509-525-6502. Until next week; "Eat Art, Drink Imagination!"

Rustic Curry Butter

2-cups heavy cream

1-tablespoon Madras curry

½-teaspoon lemon zest

½-teaspoon salt

In a food processor blend all until stiff; smear over Organic Grass Fed New York Steaks, paired with Spinach Brulee and a bottle of '07 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon.

Hear Judith's commentary on the way we eat and think about food today at www.chefjudithhenderson.com