Frenchtown
2016
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
The 2016 vintage looks like another spectacular and large harvest for Washington State; it started early with a mild winter, hot spring, and early bud break, suggesting another warm year was on the way. While cool mid-June, weather was ideal for bloom and fruit set. July temperatures were lower than normal, allowing for healthy berry and cluster growth. Continued mild weather through August and September stretched the growing season allowing the fruit to ripen gradually and evenly, with lower sugars and higher acidity. The longer hang-time produced fantastic balance of flavor and structure in both the white and red varieties.
The wine was aged 9 months in primarily neutral French and American oak barrels, then bottle aged 6 additional months prior to release
Frenchtown shows aromas of wild berries, fresh plum, black currant and baking spice. The generous fresh fruit flavors stay focused through an integrated finish
The aromas aren't fully ready to reveal their charms, with notes of spice, plum and cherry. The flavors are plump, ripe, and show pleasing purity and depth, with the mouthfeel upping the appeal. It's a lot of wine for the money. Give it a short decant
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A harmonious red, elegant yet zesty, with lively currant, espresso and stony mineral accents that build tension toward medium-grained tannins. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2026.
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L’Ecole’s well-priced blend is about half merlot, the remainder a combination of Bordeaux and Rhône varieties. It leads with blackcherry and tar scents, along with a firm note of leather and oak. The flavors are juicy and lively—a lightly structured red for barbecue.
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A new wine (at least for me), the 2019 Frenchtown is an interesting blend of 45% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, and 6% Petit Verdot, with the remaining 29% made up of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. Brought up in neutral oak, it has a juicy, red and black berry-scented nose with lots of peppery herbs, tobacco, and cedar aromas and flavors. At least at this young stage, the Rhône varieties seem to dominate, and it's a juicy, medium-bodied, beautifully textured red that should offer loads of pleasure over the coming 4-6 years (and probably longer).
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Supple and velvety, with spicy accents to the dark berry and licorice flavors, coming together smoothly and deftly on the expressive finish. Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2021. 5,000 cases made.
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The 2019 Red Wine Frenchtown delivers plenty of ripe red fruits while firm tannins hold things in place. With more air, sagebrush and chocolate undertones bring complexity.
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Principally Merlot (45%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) and Syrah (19%), along with other red varieties, this brings apple, cherry and barrel spice aromas. The flavors are full bodied and liquorous, providing some appeal.
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Bordeaux-meets-Rhône blend that works extremely well. Merlot-driven, showing a plush mid-palate with dark berry fruit. The syrah brings the florals, very pretty aromatics. Lots of earthier notes as well, with liquorice and a slight sheep cheese note. Tannins are grippy but already yield more than enough that you can drink this now with pleasure. August 2017
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Espérons que les accords du libre-échange permettront toujours dans le futur le passage à la frontière de ce beau rouge de caractère. Un vin complet doté de tanins magnifiques, à la fois fins et serrés, construits sur la fraîcheur et le support d’un élevage judicieux qui laisse la finale ascensionnelle d’une rare précision. (10 +) ©
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