Chenin Blanc 2015

L'ECOLE NO. 41

Chenin Blanc
2015

Country
United States
Regulated designation
American Viticultural Areas (AVA)
Region
Washington
Subregion
Walla Walla Valley
Varietal(s)
Chenin Blanc 100 %
Alcohol percentage
13.5%
Colour
White
Sugar
Dry
Aging vessel type
Steel tank
Total acidity
6.3 g/l
PH
3.46
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

Over 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. The Chenin Blanc was harvested in the cool, early morning hours and promptly delivered to the winery for immediate pressing. The fruit was gently whole-cluster pressed to minimize phenolics and solids. The settled juice was racked off the solids then fermented slowly in a stainless steel tank over an extended period of time at cool temperatures to yield rich and fruity flavors. Upon completion the fermentation was stopped by cold suppression and the wine was filtered.

Production notes

The 2014 vintage was a repeat of the warm 2013 vintage with heat units nearly identical, and no unusual winter frost, pest, or disease pressure. Bud break was early, followed by a warm spring and relatively early bloom. Fruit set was near ideal. Slowing tactics were implemented such as delayed thinning and leafing to delay veraison and ultimately harvest. Temperatures cooled mid-August stretching out the hang-time to complete veraison. Berry size and berry count per cluster were slightly up resulting in healthy crop yields. Modest fall day-time temperatures and cool nights resulted in a rich and vibrant structure with bold color development. Overall warmer conditions delivered ample sugars and surprisingly strong acids, particularly in our higher elevation sites.

Tasting notes

This fresh and vibrant Chenin Blanc shows highly expressive aromatics of passion fruit and orange blossom, with flavors of star fruit, tangerine and apple on a balanced, crisp mineral finish.

Press reviews

Vinous

- 91 points -

Stephen Tanzer, October 2017

(from four old vineyards in Yakima, planted in 1978 and 1979; done entirely in stainless steel): Pale, bright yellow. Lovely lift to the aromas and flavors of orange, lemon, ginger, shiso leaf and flowers. Dense but racy wine with a cooler note of pink grapefruit and a suggestion of botrytis (but just two grams per liter residual sugar). Turns more citrussy and dry on the dusty, building back end. This should age well on its sound acidity. (Clubb noted that he has never acidified his Chenin Blanc because this fruit comes in last, with the highest natural acidity.) Really terrific texture and fruit here, in the style of a just off-dry Vouvray. I'd like to come back to this impressive wine in a couple years.

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 Wine Enthusiast

- 90 points -

Best Buy

December 2017

L'Ecole has been carrying the banner for Washington Chenin high since 1987. Coming from vineyards planted in 1978 and 1979, the aromas are fresh and lively, with notes of sliced pear, passion fruit, flower and apple. The palate is full in feel and redolent with fruit flavors that sail on the finish...

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Wine Spectator

- 90 points -

October 2015

Bright, sleek and distinctive, with pineapple, grapefruit and mineral flavors set against a tiny dose of sweetness. Has elegance and persistence. Drink now through 2017.

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 Wine and Spirits Magazine

- 90 points -

October 2015 (Vintage 2014)

All of the sources for this chenin are from late-1970s plantings, and it seems you can taste the vine maturity in this balanced white, the spiced apple and lemon-peel flavors given a bit of brightness and lift from a pithy, gathering phenolic bite. An elegant white for pork loin.

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Le Devoir
Jean Aubry, March 2017 (Vintage 2015)

Vous hachez menu le fenouil et le poireau sautés, puis déglacez avec un jet de Ricard, le tout déposé en papillote avec lamelles de pomme de terre au côté d’une truite fraîche, et hop ! Voilà ce chenin blanc lui chatouillant les ouïes pour mieux l’étoffer sur le plan des textures. Rondeur, vinosité et caractère. Servir bien frais.

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