A winery that I always love visiting, L’Ecole No. 41 was one of Walla Walla’s first wineries founded. For several years now winemaker Marcus Rafanelli has been crafting a beautiful range of wines. The wines have been consistently great not only at the top but under their ‘Columbia Valley’ line of value wines. For my palate these are some of the most compelling value whites and reds that you will taste in the Pacific Northwest.
The new wines from L’Ecole are outstanding despite the obvious challenges of the vintage. I love the 2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is showing plenty of nerve and flavor density. I adore the 2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) which is a total steal at only 23 bucks retail. 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 ‘Columbia Valley’ Chardonnay- The 2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Chardonnay comes from a range of sites including the Evergreen, Stillwater Creek and Coyote Canyon vineyards. Stored in 25% new French oak before bottling, this offers poached pear and baking spice laced pineapple tones on the palate alongside a smooth mouthfeel and juicy melon flavors. Absolutely delicious now, enjoy this fantastic value over the next six plus years. Only 23 dollars retail, making this a total steal. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Chardonnay- For years the slightly cooler Stillwater Creek Vineyard has been a fantastic site for Chardonnay. The wine was stored in 40% new French oak barrels before bottling. Mango and papaya tones combine with golden delicious apple and nutmeg drenched pie crust on the palate. Delicious now, enjoy over the next six plus years to come. Drink 2024-2030- 93
2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Old Vines’ Chenin Blanc- The 2023 ‘Old Vines’ Chenin Blanc comes from the Willard Farms vineyard as well as the Upland and Phil Church Vineyards all planted in 1979. Walnut and cashew tones combine with green honeydew melon, baking spices and suggestions of brioche on the palate. Soft and approachable now, enjoy over the next few years. Only 19 dollars USD. Drink 2024-2029- 91
2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Upland Vineyard’ Chenin Blanc- The 2023 ‘Upland Vineyard’ Chenin Blanc comes from this site that is set on Snipes Mountain in the Yakima Valley AVA. The wine was stored in neutral oak barrels for three months before being stored in a stainless steel tank before bottling. This is delicious stuff that is round and generous and broad-shouldered. Drink 2024-2031- 92
2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Frenchtown’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2023 ‘Frenchtown’ Sauvignon Blanc has 7% Semillon blended in as this is the inaugural bottling of this wine. Stored in stainless steel, this shows bright pear and lemon rind flavors that combine with suggestions of pink grapefruit water on the palate. Soft and neat on the tongue, enjoy this mineral-laden wine now and over the next five years. Drink 2024-2029- 90
2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Luminesce’ White Wine- The outstanding 2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Luminesce’ White Wine- comes from the Seven Hills Vineyard and combines 60% Semillon with the remainder Sauvignon Blanc. Stored in 18% new French oak before bottling, this offers salted Macadamia nut, white peach and juicy pear flavors that combine with shades of pastry crust. Rich and viscous, this is a beautiful edition of this wine that is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Semillon- The delicious 2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Semillon was stored in only 15% new French oak before bottling, as this bottling has 18% Sauvignon Blanc blended in. This is round and generous on the mouth, with plenty of nutty and melon flavors alongside shades of star jasmine water. A serious value at only 18 bucks USD. Drink 2024-2030- 91
2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Semillon- The 2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Semillon was stored in 17% new French oak before bottling. 100% varietal this offers orange blossom and green papaya notes on the nose alongside nutty accents. The palate is fresh and neatly textured. Delicious now, enjoy now and over the next seven years to come. Drink 2024-2031- 92