L’Ecole 41 Merlot 2020, 375ml, Columbia Valley Washington

L’Ecole No 41 is recognized as one of Washington State’s top producers of premium Merlot and this wine delivers with great structure, color and balanced acidity. 2020 vintage – 81% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc,5% Cabernet Sauvignon from Estate Seven Hills and Ferguson Vineyard. “Over 40 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 and 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, 35% new, with four rackings over 18 months. Crisp, bright, and vivacious! The Chenin aromatics bring citrus characters of lime, orange blossom, honey suckle, ginger, and melon. The viognier aromatics tend to be a little heavier on stone fruit of nectarine and peach with hints of floral characters. The mouthfeel is clean, crisp with no oak or malolactic fermentation. The slight residual sugar and acid are in balance to add some mouthfeel but still create a crisp finish.