L'Ecole No. 41

One of the great wineries to visit in the Walla Walla Valley, I first tasted at L’Ecole No. 41 more than 20 years ago. After walking through their big double doors I fondly recall settling in to my tasting there and thinking how remarkably consistent the lineup was. For several years now winemaker Marcus Rafanelli has been crafting a beautiful range of wines. Last year I had a chance to visit with him and GM Marty Clubb, as we tasted some older releases. The new L’Ecole wines come from a knockout vintage. For consistency’s sake, these are some of the most consistently great set of wines from Rose to Cabernet.

Another killer value at only 27 USD retail, the 2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah (OB, 92) is dense and chewy, loaded with black fruit flavors. I adored the highly refined 2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Ferguson Vineyard’ Red Wine (OB, 96) which is even better than the 2020 edition. This beauty will easily be a 20 year wine. Learn more about this outstanding winery at http://lecole.com/ Here are the great new wines by L’Ecole No. 41.

2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Alder Ridge Vineyard’ Rose- This 100% Grenache wine comes from this site that is. set on a steep, south-facing ridge in the southern end of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. This comes off juicy and delicious with a smooth texture. Layers of pretty watermelon and pomegranate seed flavors combine with orange peel notes and copious minerals on the palate. A truly outstanding value at 20 dollars, this is one to purchase by the case. Drink 2024-2030- 92

2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘GSM’ Red Wine- The really good 2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘GSM’ Red Wine comes from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA. A blend of equal parts Mourvèdre, Syrah and Grenache, this shows a deep color with red currants, smoked brisket and white pepper alongside suggestions of damp soils. The palate is soft, refined and very juicy, offering a delicious core of red and dark fruits alongside chocolate, scorched earth and smoky notes. Drink 2024-2034- 93

2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah- This 2021 Syrah comes from a range of sites including Stone Tree, Bacchus and Candy Mountain Vineyards. Rich dark raspberry parade with chocolate, roasted figs and blackberry cobbler. Delicious and showing good weight and underlying freshness, enjoy in the next eight years to come. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Syrah- Inky in the glass, this 2021 ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Syrah comes from this site in the foothills of the Blue Mountains and was stored in 25% new French oak before bottling. Tar, dark chocolate shavings and pipe tobacco notes all combine with shades of sagebrush on the nose. The palate is dense and chewy with a fantastic sense of verve and finesse. Chalky minerals combine with a brilliant core of black fruit flavors, alongside fennel and tar notes. Drink 2024-2038- 94

2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Candy Mountain Vineyard’ Red Wine- The brilliant 2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Candy Mountain Vineyard’ Red Wine is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) with the remainder Merlot. Fresh sage and thyme mark the nose alongside scorched earth and black currants. The palate is soft and refined with smooth tannins and medium to full bodied dark fruits with shades of Black Forest Cake. While this is beautifully structured I would prefer a touch more richness considering the vintage. Drink 2024-2036- 92

2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Merlot- A great wine under 30 dollars, the 2021 ‘Columbia Valley’ Merlot has 12% Cabernet Franc blended in with a touch of Malbec and Petit Verdot. Dark chocolate covered cherry and roasted date with anise notes all fill the nose. The palate is soft and delicious with a refined texture. This is a killer value. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Estate’ Merlot- Coming from the Seven Hills and Ferguson Vineyards, the wine has 14% Cabernet Franc blended in as well as 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. Chocolate cake and dark currants alongside sagebrush and blackberry notes all fill the nose. The palate is soft and refined with a great sense of richness and verve. Incredibly balanced, this is a total knockout at under 50 bucks. Drink 2024-2038- 94

2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Cabernet Franc-Merlot’ Red Wine- The really good 2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Cabernet Franc-Merlot’ Red Wine was stored in only 15% new French oak before bottling. Equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc form the Seven Hills Vineyard, this delivers red bell pepper. Milk chocolate, tar, and dried herbs on the palate. Drink 2024-2038- 93

2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- 100% varietal the 2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a range of site throughout the Columbia Valley. Dark in the glass, this offers rich figs and milk chocolate notes alongside blackberry and tobacco on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with a silky texture and good sense of weight. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘50th Leaf Bacchus Vineyard Block 3’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon coming form the Bacchus Vineyard is remarkably in its 50th leaf, coming from one of the oldest sites in the Columbia Valley. The wine shows beautiful fresh herbs on the nose alongside dark cherry and wild blackberry notes. The palate is soft and refined with a great sense of verve. Finishing long with tobacco leaf and milk chocolate this is a refined, elegant Cabernet Sauvignon that has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2024-2039- 94

2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This 100% varietal wine was sourced from the Pepper Bridge, Seven Hills, Summit View, Eritage and Yellow Jacket as well as Wailer Vineyards. Stored in 25% new French oak barrels before bottling, this delivers black currants and dark rose petals that combine with wet stone and black raspberry notes. The palate is soft and layered with good refinement and underlying texture. A killer wine from a killer vintage, savor this beauty now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2024-2038- 94

2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Perigee’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Perigee’ comes for the Seven Hills Vineyard and combines 50% Cabernet Sauvignon with 24% Merlot and the remainder Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Stored in 40% new French oak before bottling, this is a full-bodied joyride of a wine that is sumptuous and delicious to consume now. Creme de cassis, anise, loganberry cordial, pencil lead and copious garrigue notes all combine on the palate. This is seriously good wine for the price. Give this at least an hour of air if consuming now. Drink 2024-2044- 96

2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Apogee’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Apogee’ is a knockout wine that has bene made since the 1993 vintage. A blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Stored for 22 months in 40% new French oak, this offers dark currants and stony accents on the nose alongside sagebrush, dark chocolate shavings and tar. The palate is soft and refined with good richness and copious minerals. Really good now, this needs about a year or two in the cellar for everything to come together. Drink 2025-2044- 95

2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Ferguson Vineyard’ Red Wine- A stunning wine from this warm vintage, the 2021 ‘Ferguson Vineyard’ comes from this unique site that is set on fractured basal with a thin layer of windswept loess. This 2021 edition combines 56% Cabernet Sauvignon with 18% Merlot with the remainder Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Wet rock and graphite tones that combine with sandalwood, dark chocolate shavings, black florals and suggestions of menthol on the nose. The palate is rich and layered with a gorgeous sense of verve and great flavor density. Very stony, showing serious tension and terroir, this is a stunning new bottling that will live for another twenty plus years to come. Drink 2024-2045- 96