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 Vintage1999 Label 1 of 49 
(NOTE: Label borrowed from 1998 vintage.)
TypeRed
ProducerL'Ecole No. 41 (web)
VarietyMerlot
Designationn/a
Vineyardn/a
CountryUSA
RegionWashington
SubRegionColumbia Valley
AppellationColumbia Valley
OptionsShow variety and appellation

Drinking Windows and Values
Drinking window: Drink between 2003 and 2008 (based on 102 user opinions)
Wine Market Journal quarterly auction price: See L`Ecole No. 41 Merlot on the Wine Market Journal.

Community Tasting History

Community Tasting Notes (average 88.9 pts. and median of 88 pts. in 8 notes) - hiding notes with no text

 Tasted by AllRed on 5/31/2014 & rated 88 points: 4th Saturday Group brown bagger (M/M thelostverse): Opened by Sue with dinner. Dusty currant and subtle herb notes on the nose and palate. Tannins are light but somewhat chalky, and the wine dries out a bit on the finish. (2566 views)
 Tasted by mle50 on 11/25/2007 & rated 88 points: Shared with the family for Thanksgiving. Was good with the Turkey. (3272 views)
 Tasted by mjm on 3/12/2006 & rated 88 points: Rich coffee, earth, mushroom, black pepper & anise on first tastes & sniffs @ opening. After some time, some cherry in middle palate, blackberry in back of palate & through finish. After an hour or so, early flavors muted & some chocolate hints through finish. Would rate higher, but was a touch hot, surprised to see 13.9% on label. (4609 views)
 Tasted by thebonnydooner on 12/25/2004 & rated 89 points: Drank on Christmas with beef wellington. Gave this an hour breathing then another hour in the decanter. On opening it was deeply fruity with an intruiging minty nose. Two hours later though the nose was distinctly muted. On the palate it wsa deep and rich with a nice black cherry, blackberry taste. Tannins were not obvious - acidity was a perfect foil to the beef. This was only showing a little bricking at the rim, so I cna only presume this was a little young and closed. Very nice though. (4278 views)

Professional 'Channels'
By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, September/October 2001, IWC Issue #98
(l'Ecole No.41 Merlot Columbia Valley) Subscribe to see review text.
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous. (manage subscription channels)

CellarTracker Wiki Articles (login to edit | view all articles)

L'Ecole No. 41

Producer website

Merlot

Merlot is a dark blue–colored wine grape variety, that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. The name Merlot is thought to be a diminutive of merle, the French name for the blackbird, probably a reference to the color of the grape. Its softness and "fleshiness", combined with its earlier ripening, makes Merlot a popular grape for blending with the sterner, later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon, which tends to be higher in tannin.

USA

American wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.

Washington

Washington Wine Commission | Credit to Washingtonwine.org for this article

Washington Wine
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.

Wineries
With 30,000+ acres planted, the state has ideal geography and conditions for growing premium vinifera wine grapes. Primarily grown on their own root stocks, the vines produce grapes of consistent quality, resulting in strong vintages year after year. While its focus is on Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the region also produces a wide range of other spectacular whites and reds.

Growers
Winemakers from all over the world have chosen to establish themselves in Washington, where they can create wines reflecting this region's unique characteristics. Their hand-crafted wines are receiving wide acclaim from critics regionally, nationally and internationally for their consistently high quality. Many of them have received scores of 90 and above from the major wine media. Overall this is a higher percentage than other leading wine regions.

Regions
As the state's fourth largest fruit crop, the Washington wine industry is an important contributor to the long-term preservation of Washington agriculture. The industry is committed to sustainable agricultural practices and conservation of water resources.
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.

Varieties
Washington produces more than 20 wine grape varieties - a ratio of 56 percent white to 44 percent red. As the industry matures and experiments, it finds many grape varieties that thrive throughout Washington's microclimates. There are more than 16,000 vineyard acres of red wine varieties statewide.

History & Vintages
Washington's wine future is limitless. As consumers discover the quality of Washington wines, demand continues to grow nationally and internationally. New acreage and wine varietals are being planted and new wineries are opening at a remarkable pace. Washington State is recognized as a premium viticultural region around the world.

State Facts
Washington's wine industry generates more than $3 billion to the state economy. It employs more than 14,000 people, directly and indirectly, with projections to add nearly 2,000 more jobs by 2006. In terms of tax revenues accrued to the state and federal government, wine grapes are among the highest tax generators of any agricultural crops. Furthermore, Washington wine tourism attracts nearly two million visitors annually contributing to the positive growth of local and regional economies.
Washington State - the perfect climate for wine = ideal growing conditions, quality wines, business innovation, lifestyle, and social responsibility. All are key elements of this world-class wine industry.

Vintages
"2008 and even more so 2010 and 2011 were cool, even cold vintages (think: 2002 in the Barossa) without the extreme ripeness, extract and higher alcohol that had become the norm in the state’s post 1995 world. 2008 was manageable but the duo of 2010/2011 nearly caused a “great depression” in Washington State." - Jon Rimmerman

Columbia Valley

Columbia Cascade Winery Association

The Columbia Valley AVA lies mostly in Washington state, with a small section in Oregon. The Cascade Range forms its western boundary with the Palouse regions bordering the area to the east. To the north, the Okanogan National Forest forms a border with the AVA and Canada. It encompasses the valleys formed by the Columbia River and its tributaries, including the Walla Walla River, the Snake River, and the Yakima River. The Columbia valley stretches between the 46th parallel and 47th parallel which puts it in line with the well known French wine growing regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy. The northern latitude gives the areas two more hours of additional daylight during the summer growing season than wine regions of California receive. The volcanic and sandy loam soil of the valley offers good drainage and is poor in nutrients, ideal in forcing the vine to concentrate its resources into the grape clusters.

Columbia Valley

Columbia Valley Winery Association

 
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