L'ECOLE NO. 41
Pepper Bridge Apogee
2010
Country
United States
Regulated designation
American Viticultural Areas (AVA)
Region
Washington
Subregion
Walla Walla Valley
Varietal(s)
Cabernet Sauvignon
56 %
Merlot
33 %
Malbec
7 %
Cabernet Franc
4 %
Alcohol percentage
14.5%
Colour
Red
Sugar
Dry
Total acidity
6.1 g/l
PH
3.78
Producer's website
About this winery
A family-owned business, L'Ecole Nº 41 was founded by Jean and Baker Ferguson. Today, the winery is owned and operated by their daughter and son-in-law, Megan and Martin Clubb. Built in 1915, the schoolhouse is located in historic Frenchtown, a small community just west of Walla Walla, Washington. Frenchtown derived its name from the many French-Canadians who settled the valley during the early 1800s. Legend has it, these men of French descent were raising grapes and producing wine. By the...
See the L'ECOLE NO. 41 detail page for more information on this brand
Product notes
This vineyard, planted in the terraced remnants of ice age flood deposits, is one of the Walla Walla Valley’s most reputable vineyards. Apogee was the first wine produced from this Certified Sustainable and Certified Salmon Safe vineyard.
A prolonged winter and cool spring set the stage for a later than normal bud break, occurring about the first of May. The cool start quickly abated, with near perfect weather in June. A sunny, hotter than normal July surged heat units, creating a delicate balancing act in managing deficit irrigation. We were a little more aggressive in green thinning and west canopy thinning for sunburn, reducing crop yields a little below normal. Harvest started early in the second week of September, ramping up quickly with ideal weather in September and early October. Compressed into an unusual one month harvest, we finished the second week of October, prior to an unseasonal early freeze in Eastern Washington.
Production notes
Nearly 30 years of meticulous vineyard management and winemaking experience are fundamental to the quality of our wines and reputation for excellence. We are engaged in growing and making 100% of our wines.
Each lot was hand harvested ripe and gently crushed into 1.5 ton stainless steel fermenters. Gentle handling of the fruit through hand punch downs and gravity assisted movements were utilized throughout the entire winemaking process. The wine was cleanly racked to 100% small French oak barrels, 50% new, with five rackings over 22 months.
Tasting notes
This bold, sophisticated and complex wine has dark, brooding aromas of game and spice with hints of sweet tobacco and leather. Dense dark fruit is wrapped in nuances of smoke, cocoa and mint with firm tannins on a persistent finish.
Press reviews
- 94 points -
(Vintage 2017)This is a soft, juicy red with chocolate, hazelnuts, currants and hints of balsamic. Some leather and leafy character. It’s full and round-textured with a juicy finish. A blend of 65% cabernet sauvignon, 18% merlot, 14% malbec and 3% cabernet franc. A delicious, juicy young red. Drink or hold.
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- 94 points -
(Vintage 2019)Blackberry, black pepper, mulberry and leather on the nose. Full-bodied with fine tannins. On the palate, it’s fresher and more red-fruited than the nose let on. Balanced acidity and good depth. A little toasted and well spiced. This will age nicely. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, 10% malbec and 5% cabernet franc. Sustainable.
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- 93 points -
(Vintage 2017)Moving to the three flagship releases, the 2017 Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard checks in as 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 14% Malbec, and the balance Cabernet Franc. Its inky purple/ruby color is followed by a ripe yet pure nose of crème de cassis, black raspberries, crushed flowers, vanilla bean, charcoal, and dark chocolate. With full-bodied richness, a ripe, powerful style, terrific tannins, and a great finish, it’s another sexy wine in this lineup that will round into form with 2-4 years of bottle age
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- 92 points -
Anthony Mueller, (Vintage 2017)Made from a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 14% Malbec, the 2017 Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard opens with a bold and expressive nose highlighted with aromas of stewed cherries, plum preserves and blackberry reduction. The wine has a subtle spiciness with hints of dried herbs and brown baking spices with baked earth elements. Full-bodied, the wine is pleasurable, generous and open-knit on the palate, ready for drinking upon release, with juicy and succulent tannins across the mid-palate. The wine is marked with structured finesse and has a long, lingering finish with persistent flavors of red plum, cocoa nibs and espresso beans. Drink date: 2020-2032.
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- 92 points -
(Vintage 2019)Broad-shouldered yet refined, with currant, stony mineral and licorice flavors that take on structure and tension toward medium-grained tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2030. 1,030 cases mad
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- 91 points -
November 2016 (Vintage 2013)Firm and generous, rolling out blackberry, plum and currant flavors onto a velvety frame. Gains momentum on the long and expressive finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2018 through 2023. 1,000 cases made.
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