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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Drinking window: Drink between 2020 and 2026 (based on 4 user opinions) |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 90.1 pts. and median of 90 pts. in 25 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Odedis.Wine.reviews on 9/7/2023 & rated 89 points: Purple in color with a wide purplish rim.
Light on the nose, and full bodied with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with nice complexity.
Showing black currants, plums, cooked cherries, spices, light oak, licorice, dark chocolates, earth, tobacco leaf, herbs and peppercorn.
Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and red chili pepper.
This six year old Merlot is still drinking nicely. Good right out of the bottle and good by itself or with food.
Easy drinking, Tangy and spicy. A good entry level Merlot from Columbia State.
I had this vintage 3 years ago, and liked it better, but it is more complex now. Interesting stuff.
I paired it with a sharp Cheddar cheese and a beautiful view.
A blend of 81% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged for 18 months in Oak barrels (30% new).
14.5% alcohol by volume.
89 points.
$30. (396 views) | | | Tasted by Short_Sips on 2/3/2023: Luscious and rich with gentle tannin structure. Distinct aromatic oak qualities, toasted coconut creme brûlée. Seems to conceal the fruit a bit, but still able to pick up some bramble-y berries. Campfire wine. (473 views) | | | Tasted by WY Leonidas on 1/20/2023 & rated 89 points: Deep nearly opaque purple. Nose of herbs, licorice, black stewed fruit, toasted wood. Big body, silky smooth tannins, with a brooding black fruit and herbs, leather, a nice mineral streak. Raspberry / cassis on the finish. Very good. This needed a lot of air to really start shining. Surprisingly dark color for a Merlot. What else is in there? Or just an incredible vineyard site to get that kind of color and body from Merlot. Nice. Only knock is that this had a bit much wood influence, and the fruit was a bit tired. (467 views) | | | Tasted by jaydoodah on 12/22/2022 & rated 90 points: Very smooth. No super strong fruit of note, just a good drinking wine. Paired with a cheddar and chives grilled cheese with sourdough bread. (459 views) | | | Tasted by snarfglk on 7/5/2022 & rated 90 points: solid 90, great merlot (631 views) | | | Tasted by Dan & Patti on 4/16/2022 & rated 79 points: Gone (520 views) | | | Tasted by Dan & Patti on 3/8/2022 & rated 91 points: Dark fruit, tannins (402 views) | | | Tasted by Ortiz Brown on 10/25/2021 & rated 89 points: From a 375ml bottle.
Dark purple in the glass. With nose of plum, stewed blueberry, and cassis.
The wine enters the palate with a pop of oak and chocolate and then opens up through the mid-palate to show flavors of plum, blackberry, cocoa, oak, and baking spices. Dark and brooding. Mild acidity and mild tannins. (789 views) | | | Tasted by williamswhine on 9/3/2021 & rated 91 points: Always reliability delicious (802 views) | | | Tasted by MC2 Wines on 6/26/2021: IWFS Jax: a night of Oregon & Washington (Queens Harbour): Mostly poor notes and then for this one no notes at all so doing it from memory. The wines in this tasting though had a tendency to run a bit together. Lots of the standard bigger Washington style. Less acid. More fruit. This as I remember was in that vein as well. (1149 views) | | | Tasted by Rond on 4/18/2021 & rated 90 points: Enjoyable, medium bodied. Perhaps a bit hot. (1020 views) | | | Tasted by Dan & Patti on 1/12/2021 & rated 91 points: Dark fruit and mod tannins (1125 views) | | | Tasted by Odedis.Wine.reviews on 12/3/2020 & rated 91 points: Dark ruby in color with a nice reddish rim.
Light nose of blueberries, black plums, cedar, light vanilla, earth, chocolates, pencil lead and black pepper.
Full bodied with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, spices, chocolates, tobacco, coke, light vegetables and peppercorn.
Medium plus on the finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a very tasty Merlot based Bordeaux blend from Washington State. Showing mild complexity with a nice mouthfeel.
Good by itself and with food. Nicely balanced and tangy.
Still young, but already enjoyable. Would be Interesting to see how this evolves in the next couple of years.
I've had the 2012 vintage a couple of years ago and I like this vintage better.
Wine Enthusiasts 92 points.
Needed 90 minutes in the decanter to open up properly, so give it time.
I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses. Really nice with the extra fatty Brie cheese.
A blend of 81% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged for 18 months in Oak barrels (30% new).
14.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$24. (931 views) | | | Tasted by Stephen Rash on 11/11/2020 & rated 93 points: A very expressive nose of red fruit and spice. Medium bodied with silky tannins had this Merlot drinking very nicely right now. (845 views) | | | Tasted by thirdeye99 on 10/12/2020 & rated 90 points: Washington State does merlot well. This wine reminded me more of a Pinot than a Merlot. A welcome surprise. Medium bodied with pronounced mineral notes, nice acid. I would be interested in comparing to other vintages. (732 views) | | | Tasted by Martin Redmond on 10/8/2020 & rated 89 points: Translucent ruby color with black cherry, red plum, dried rose, dried earth, and subtle savory spice aromas. On the palate it's medium-bodied, with mouth-watering acidity and fine-grained tannins with black cherry, red plum, cacao, and a combination of baking and savory spice flavors which impart very appealing savory notes to this wines satisfying finish. Blend of 81% Merlot/14% Cabernet Franc/3% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. Raised in small oak barrels, 30% new for 18 months. 14.5% abv|SRP - 25. (688 views) |
| By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, Washington: Neither Smoke Nor Rain Nor Heat Nor Frost of Night… (Dec 2020) (12/1/2020)
(L'Ecole N° 41 Merlot Washington Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jeb Dunnuck
JebDunnuck.com, Washington State’s 2017s (4/15/2020)
(L'Ecole No 41 Merlot Columbia Valley) Login and sign up and see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and JebDunnuck.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| L'Ecole No. 41 Producer websiteMerlotMerlot 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.USAAmerican 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 RimmermanColumbia 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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