- 92 points -
(Vintage 2019)Spry and zesty, with medium-bodied raspberry, smoky herb and pepper flavors that build richness toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2029.
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L'ECOLE NO. 41
Syrah
2015
Country
United States
Regulated designation
American Viticultural Areas (AVA)
Region
Washington
Subregion
Columbia Valley
Varietal(s)
Syrah
82 %
Grenache
16 %
Mourvèdre
2 %
Alcohol percentage
15%
Colour
Red
Sugar
Dry
Sugar content
2,4 g/l
Aging vessel type
100% small oak barrels, 40% new, with four rackings
Length of aging
18 months
Total acidity
6.2 g/l
PH
3.71
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
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 block was hand harvested. About 20% fermented whole cluster on stems while the remaining was 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 oak barrels, 40% new, with four rackings over 18 months.
Production notes
Washington State’s climate and soil is ideally suited to maximize the varietal characteristics of Syrah. Crafted from some of the earliest Walla Walla Valley plantings, our Estate Syrah manifests old world attributes of earth, spice and game in combination with the new world profile of bold, expressive and concentrated fruit.
Tasting notes
This beautifully balanced Estate Syrah marries aromas of olive, bacon fat, and black pepper with pretty floral notes of violet. The rich mid-palate shows flavors of ripe plum and dense blackberry that give way to a concentrated and unrelenting earthy mineral finish.
Press reviews
- 91 points -
(Vintage 2019)As always, this wine includes healthy amounts of Grenache (16%) and Mourvèdre (2%). The aromas are chock-full of blue fruit, with red fruit and dried herb accents. Center focused like many wines from this vintage, it's rich and has freshness and purity. There's a lot enjoyment to be had.
- 90 points -
Stephen Tanzer, (Vintage 2018)Bright ruby-red. Boysenberry, blackberry, violet, licorice and black pepper on the nose. Densely packed, lively and quite suave in the mouth, offering concentrated flavors of black fruits, spices and flowers but little gamey varietal funk; just a touch of herbs. Finishes with a firm dusting of tannins and very good length. Quite dry and classic if a bit youthfully medicinal and lacking in flamboyance, this wine needs another 6 to 12 months to harmonize and perhaps show a little more give. Still a bit stunted and youthfully medicinal but it may have sweeter material and more pliancy than the 2017.
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- 90 points -
(Vintage 2018)Including 18% Grenache and 2% Mourvèdre, the 2018 Syrah Columbia Valley has a juicy, blackberry, peppery herb, and graphite-scented nose that carries to a medium-bodied, elegant, nicely concentrated and textured Syrah that’s ideal for drinking over the coming 5-7 years. It builds nicely with time in the glass, and readers looking for a complex, lively, more Old World styled Syrah that still has plenty of fruit will love this.
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- 90 points -
Sean Sullivan , (Vintage 2018)Blended with 18% Grenache and 2% Mourvèdre, this red offers aromas of dark raspberry, huckleberry and dried herbs on the nose. There’s a savory sense to the pillowy, soft flavors on the palate. It’s high octane but keeps it all in check
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- 89 points -
Sean P. Sullivan, January 2020 (Vintage 2017)hough labeled as Syrah, this wine is more GSM blend, with 16% Grenache and 2% Mourvèdre. Reserved aromas of herbs, raspberry jam, barrel spice and blue fruit lead to ripe, extracted red and blue fruit flavors. The tannins initially bring some grip and astringency, needing time to settle in, but once it does it delivers a big, fruit-filled punch. Decant, or drink after 2022.
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