One of my fondest early memories in wine was tasting at L’Ecole when I was in college. It was 2002 and the wine scene across the Walla Walla Valley was nothing short of electric. Today we share one of the jewels of the Walla Walla Valley. One of Washington’s historic wineries, L’Ecole No. 41 is set at a historic schoolhouse outside the town of Walla Walla. Winemaker Marcus Rafanelli has been crafting a beautiful range of wines. The wines he crafts are very poised and focused. They need time in the cellar, particularly their top bottlings. The new wines in particular, the Ferguson wines, continue to improve and are now some of the great upper tier wines made in Washington.
The entry level wines have always been some of the best values you can find on the shelf. I love the 2022 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 92) which is nicely poised and balanced, with excellent flavor range. It is a steal at 35 bucks. Learn more about this outstanding winery at http://lecole.com/ Here are the great new wines by L’Ecole No. 41.
2024 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Semillon- Soft and delicious, the 2024 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Semillon has 15% Sauvignon Blanc blended in. Right away this offers a smooth mouthfeel with Japanese pear, cashew nut and green papaya flavors that collide with copious minerals on the palate. Medium-bodied and showing good depth, enjoy this outstanding value now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 92
2024 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Semillon- An awesome new release, the 2024 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Semillon offers gardenia water and salty nuances on the palate alongside hazelnut, shades of cantaloupe and brioche bread. Complex, with a great acid backbone, and awesome texture, enjoy now and over the next few years. Don’t serve too cold! Drink 2025-2031- 93
2024 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Luminesce’ White Wine- A Bordeaux-inspired blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc from the Seven Hills Vineyard, the 2024 ‘Luminesce’ delivers shades of mango and honeydew melon on the nose with wet stone, and white grapefruit blossom. The palate is fresh and viscous with a glorious combination of texture, length and verve. Enjoy now and over the next six plus years to come. Drink 2025-2032- 93
2022 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- An awesome wine to buy by the case, the 2022 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a range of Columbia Valley sites including the Stone Tree, Bacchus, and Summit View vineyards. 100% varietal, this was stored in 25% new French oak before bottling. On the nose this takes on dark currants with tobacco leaf, pencil lead and shades of Black Forest cake. The palate is soft and approachable, with elegant tannins and excellent structure. Medium-bodied and delicious, enjoy now. Drink 2025-2033- 92