Fantastic Merlot from one of our favorite spots for it, we review the L'Ecole No. 41 Columbia Valley Merlot.
81% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot from several vineyards in the Columbia Valley of Washington State.
These include the Estate Seven Hills, Estate Ferguson and Pepper Bridge vineyards in Walla Walla in addition to the Candy Mountain vineyard in the Candy Mountaina AVA, the Weinbau vineyard in the Wahluke Slope and the Bacchus & Dionysus vineyard in the White Bluffs AVA.
The wine was aged in small barrels (20% new) for 16 months. 5,100 cases were produced.
Sample submitted for review. The L'Ecole No 41 Merlot has an SRP $27 and is available for as low as $23.
From the bottle:
Founded in 1983 in the Walla Walla Valley, L'Ecole No 41 is one of Washington State's first artisan, family-owned wineries. Housed in the historic Frenchtown School depicted on our label, we have earned international acclaim for producing consistently expressive and distinctive wines. This reputation comes from our dedication to uncompromised quality, decades of winemaking experience, mature proven vineyards, ideal growing conditions, and mineral rich glacial soils.
Produced & Bottled by L'Ecole No 41
14.5% Alcohol
The 2019 L'Ecole No. 41 Columbia Valley Merlot opens with a harmonious and attractive aroma of dark fruit, spice and coffee. It's a great start.
Tasting the nicely balanced wine reveals a smooth and round mouthfeel with good depth and similar flavors to the nose. Still a bit young, this is pretty delicious once it has some time to breathe.
It ends dry, long, a bit grippy and a rather savory. It was just as good on day 2.
Delicious as it is now, this should get even better with age.
2019 L'Ecole No. 41 Columbia Valley Merlot
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