I am a bit nostalgic when it comes to Walla Walla wine. I can’t help harken back to my days at Whitman College, more than 20 years ago. I fondly remember tasting at L’Ecole No. 41 for the first time, walking through their big set of double doors and tasting their beautiful range of wines. For several years now winemaker Marcus Rafanelli has been crafting a beautiful range of wines. Last summer I had a chance to taste with him and GM Marty Clubb who shared some really cool older wines.
The new wines from L’Ecole are outstanding despite the obvious challenges of the vintage. Don’t miss out on the 2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Semillon (OB, 92) which is a steal at under 25 bucks. I love the new 2020 L’Ecole No. 51 ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah (OB, 92) which is concentrated and comes off clean with rich dark fruit flavors. I think that people will really adore the new 2020 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Ferguson Vineyard’ Red Wine (OB, 95) which is a resounding success in this vintage with great richness and stony character from this one of a kind site in the Walla Walla Valley. Learn more about this outstanding winery at http://lecole.com/ Here are the great new wines by L’Ecole No. 41.
2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Semillon- Another killer value by this house, the 2021 ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Semillon offers a very smooth texture upon entry. Layers of salted macadamia nut, white peach and lychee come together nicely on the palate. Very seamless, with bright underlying acidity, enjoy this outstanding wine now and over the next several years. Drink 2023-2028- 92
2020 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Merlot- Coming from both the Ferguson and Seven Hills Vineyards, this Merlot offers ripe red cherry with tobacco leaf, milk chocolate, black raspberry and firm tannins that hold everything in place. Highly structured and delicious, give this an hour in the decanter if enjoying now. Drink 2023-2030- 93
2020 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Merlot- This outstanding value comes from some choice sites — Estate Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge, Dionysus, Stone Tree, Estate Ferguson, and Summit View Vineyards. It is ripe and irresistible right now in its light cocoa powder notes alongside Bing cherry, menthol and coffee grounds. Enjoy now and over the next few years. 82% Merlot with 15% Cabernet Franc and small parts Petit Verdot and Malbec. Drink 2023-2028- 92
2020 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah- Inky in the glass, this has 16% Grenache and a dash of Mourvèdre blended in. This wine has been consistently great and the 2020 edition is just as good as the others. Ripe dark berry notes combine with salty soils, wintergreen and sage notes alongside a touch of mocha on the palate. Complex, mineral-driven and fantastic to savor now with a juicy steak, I can’t help but think what a wonderful glass pour this would be at a top steakhouse. Drink 2023-2028- 92
2020 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Cabernet Franc/Merlot’ Red Wine- A 50/50 split of varietals, this is also equally from the Ferguson and Seven Hills Vineyard. Red bell pepper, crushed mint, black pepper and gobs of dark fruits greet you with silky tannins and bitter chocolate notes on the palate. Finishing long, this is really fantastic stuff from a challenging vintage. Drink 2023-2030- 93
2020 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Really good right now, the 2020 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon is another fantastic release from this house. The palate is medium to full-bodied with refined tannins and a refined texture. Delicious to consume right now, this black fruit and espresso ground-driven gem is already ready to go. Savor this now and over the next five plus years. Drink 2023-208- 92
2020 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Walla Walla Valley 40th Anniversary’ Red WIne- Showing off the iconic schoolhouse label that I enjoyed for more than a decade prior to my writing career, the 2020 ‘Walla Walla Valley 40th Anniversary’ blends Seven Hills and Pepper Bridge fruit and is mostly Merlot (50%) with the remainder Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine comes together pillowy and soft with a seamless texture and glorious sense of length. Bright black currants and blackberry tones combine with shades of creosote, garrigue and coffee grounds on the palate. This is seriously good stuff that is best enjoyed after a one to two hour decant. Drink 2023-2030- 95
2020 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Ferguson Vineyard’ Red Wine- Many years ago L’Ecole had the idea to plant their high elevation vineyard on ancient lave flow soils. For years I have admired this wine which is remarkably stony and age-worthy. This edition comes from the challenging 2020 vintage and is a marvelous blend of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (59%) with 24% Merlot and the remainder Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. There is power with restraint here, as the underlying tension and stony terroir really tells the story. Medium to full-bodied cassis, anise, Turkish coffee and creme de violette flavors combine with refined tannins on the palate. Give this beauty a two hour decant if enjoying now. Drink 2023-2030- 95