It is my pleasure to share the great wines of L’Ecole No. 41 which is one of Walla Walla’s oldest wineries. This was one of the first wineries I tasted at more than 25 years ago. While the perform exceedingly well at the entry level, their higher end wines continue to soar and have been particularly impressive over the past seven years. They are sourcing from one of the most electric sites in the entire Pacific Northwest, the ‘Ferguson Vineyard’ which is sent on fractured basalt soils. Wines from this site are unlike anything else in the Northwest.
I am so impressed with the latest set of new wines. I adored the 2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Ferguson Vineyard’ Red Wine (OB, 98) which has insanely good terroir and shows sensational aging potential. Learn more about this outstanding winery at http://lecole.com/ Here are the great new wines by L’Ecole No. 41.
2025 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Luminesce’ White Wine- The outstanding 2025 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Luminesce’ White Wine combines 60% Semilon with the remainder Sauvignon Blanc from the Seven Hills Vineyard. On the nose this takes on toasted brioche with banana notes alongside Macadamia nut and green papaya notes. The palate is wonderfully salty with a smooth mouthfeel and good sense of poise. Drink 2026-2033- 92
2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Syrah- The 2023 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Syrah is entirely sourced from the Seven Hills Vineyard, set on Loess soils. Inky in the glass, this offers bulls blood and iodine notes on the nose alongside wafts of black peppercorns and dense dark fruits. The palate is dense and decadent, with terrific structure and flavor density. Seriously good now, this will easily cellar for another decade. Drink 2026-2036- 93
2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Perigee’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Perigee’ mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) 21% Merlot and smaller amounts Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. This was sourced from older plantings at the Seven Hills Vineyard. On the nose this shows off gorgeous red florals that combine with fresh sage, creme de cassis and exotic spice notes. The palate is rich and viscous with terrific tension and salty nuances. While glorious in its heady youth, this has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2026-2044- 96
2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Apogee’ Red Wine- The wow-factor 2023 ‘Apogee’ comes from the acclaimed Pepper Bridge Vineyard which is one of the oldest vineyards in Walla Walla. This edition is nearly identical to the ’22, made of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (65%) with 25% Merlot and smaller parts Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Like any release of the ‘Apogee’ its nervy edge really requires an hour in the decanter before enjoying. It is elegant and bright wine with a fabulous acid backbone. Despite the heat of the vintage, the tension offered here is really impressive. This is loaded with stony and salty minerals on the palate, with a lush core of red and dark fruits that parade with chocolate pie, dark currants and pipe tobacco. Seriously good, this beauty has each varietal singing in clockwork unison. While gorgeous in its youth, this will easily go for another fifteen years. Drink 2026-2044- 96
2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Coming from several locations in the Walla Walla Valley, the L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon was stored in mainly neutral oak for 22 months prior to bottling. Lush and round on the mouth, this shows well-defined tannins that frame a gorgeous core of blackberry and boysenberry fruits alongside milk chocolate and Arabica bean accents. Medium to full-bodied, with terrific depth and power, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2026-2041- 94
2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Merlot- The 2023 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Merlot comes in equal parts from the Ferguson and Seven Hills Vineyards. Mocha, tar and black licorice all mark the nose with shades of black rose petals. The palate is concentrated and deep with refined tannins and a gorgeous core of black fruits, with a graphite edge. This is really just an infant so give it plenty of air if enjoying now. Drink 2026-2041- 94
2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Walla Walla Valley Ferguson and Seven Hills Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A different blend than the 2023 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ as this wine was equal parts sourced from the Seven Hills and Ferguson Vineyards. It is a standout wine for its impeccable balance and rocky soil nuance. Smooth on the palate, with its refined mouthfeel, this is loaded with tension and stony soils that frame a core of deep dark fruits with espressos ground flavors. Full-bodied and rich, this beauty needs at least an hour of air if consuming now. Drink 2026-2043- 95
2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Ferguson Vineyard’ Red Wine- A glorious wine from this warm vintage, the 2023 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Ferguson Vineyard’ Red Wine has 21% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 9% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot blended in. Stored in roughly 40% new French oak for 22 months, this delivers great rocky soil character on the nose alongside purple rose petals, Chinese black tea and suggestions of black currant cordial. The palate is deep, rich and viscous with tremendous verve, weight and length. It is seamless throughout the drinking experience, as refined tannins frame a gorgeous array of black and blue fruits. A total stunner, with serious mouth-watering acidity and rocky soil character, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next twenty years to come. Drink 2026-2046- 98