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 is fundamental to the quality of L’Ecole wines and their reputation for excellence. They are engaged in growing and making 100% of their wines.
Hand harvested with an average of 25.7° brix, picked from September 1 through to October 1, 2015. Proper irrigation and canopy management were critical to ensure vine health and quality fruit health during the unusually hot July.
Production notes
Each lot, with over 30 years of meticulous vineyard management, was hand harvested ripe and gently crushed into 1.5 and 5 ton open-top stainless-steel fermenters. The fruit was carefully handled through hand punch downs and gravity assisted movements throughout the winemaking process. The wine was cleanly racked to 100% small French oak barrels, 50% new, with five rackings over 22 months.
Tasting notes
Ferguson is L’ecole No. 41 single vineyard estate Bordeaux blend. It reflects a unique micro-climate and geological profile. Ferguson’s flavour profile is distinctly influenced by its basalt soil. This wine offers complex aromas of espresso, tobacco, and dark mineral-laced fruit. Wild blackberries and dusty tannins integrate with flavours of flint and graphite on the palate. Concentrated natural acidity leads to a robust and lingering finish.