Florez Wines M Mysterieux 2022

Grape Cabernet Pfeffer

Region Cienega Valley, San Benito County, California

A rare variety that has found refuge for over a hundred years in one of our local growing regions, San Benito County. 

The locals call it Cabernet Pfeffer. It is suspected that the budwood was imported from France in the late 1800s. A local German nurseryman named William Pfeffer may have inspired the name, although the history is not well known.

The variety is distinguished by a white pepper profile, which may provide another clue to the origin of the name since pfeffer translates to pepper (German). It was proposed that the variety may have been a cross between Cab Sauvignon and Trousseau. Early genetic testing pointed towards an old Bordeaux variety Gros Verdot, and recent definitive genetic testing now points toward Mourteau. 

Cabernet Pfeffer makes light, perfumed, peppery reds. Aromas of chopped strawberry, white pepper. Pale in color with notable tannins and acid. This variety always produces a pale light red wine which reminds me of varieties such as Pineau d’Aunis, Trousseau, and/or Poulsard.