Description

L’Ecole No. 41 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

91 pts – Wine Spectator

A handsome red, multilayered and expressive, showing lively blackberry, tobacco and crushed stone accents that finish with well-framed tannins.

91 pts – Wine Enthusiast

The aromas bring notes of dark chocolate, plum, herb and cherry, along with a sprinkling of spices. The palate shows polish and intensity. There’s structural heft behind it all, both acid and tannin. Decant if drinking in the near term.

WINEMAKER COMMENT

For over 36 years, L’Ecole has built long term partnerships with the oldest and most proven vineyards, providing access to some of the best fruit in the Columbia Valley. With average vine age of more than 20 years, this wine shows a classic Cabernet Sauvignon profile of firm structure, integrated tannins, and dark expressive fruit.

KEY VINEYARDS

Estate Seven Hills, Estate Ferguson, Candy Mountain, Pepper Bridge, Alder Ridge, Bacchus, Yellowjacket, and Klipsun

VINTAGE

An overall mild growing season and challenging harvest have nonetheless delivered a high-quality vintage for L’Ecole.
ƒ A cold and snowy February/March delayed field pruning, resulting in budbreak late April to early May. A warm May accelerated canopy growth and the onset of bloom.
ƒ Cooler July temperatures moderated heat unit accumulation with veraison delayed 7 to 10 days from normal. August brought customary warm weather, with only a few heat spikes over 100°F.
ƒ A warm early September initiated a normal harvest, which was slowed due to slightly rainy and cooler conditions. A light frost at the end of September along with a forecast of more freezing weather on its way accelerated picking, with 60% of our fruit harvested the first two weeks of October.
ƒ Freezing weather quickly brought the season to a close the second week of October.
ƒ With delight, we are seeing beautiful and elegant wines, with high natural acidity, and impressive structure

WINEMAKING

ƒ Over 36 years of meticulous vineyard management and winemaking experience are fundamental to the quality of our wines and reputation for excellence.
ƒ Each lot was hand harvested at ideal ripeness and gently crushed into 1.5 and 5 ton stainless steel fermenters.
ƒ Gentle handling of the fruit through hand punch downs and gravity assisted movements were utilized throughout the entire winemaking process.
ƒ The wine was cleanly racked to small oak barrels, 25% new, and barrel aged for 22 months. For a portion of this time before blending, it underwent extended aging on the lees to build additional complexity and mouthfeel.

TASTING NOTES

With its classic Cabernet profile, this expressive wine shows layers of dark fruit, black pepper, and espresso, accented by an array of floral notes, including violet and lavender. With blackberry, dark cherry, and cassis on the palate, it is framed with fine tannins which carry through to a flavorful finish.

HARVEST DATA

Average Brix 24.5°
Average pH 3.26
Average Acidity 7.2 g/L

WINE DATA

Composition 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON
pH 3.80
Total Acidity 6.1
Alcohol 14.5%