Perigee 2020

L'ECOLE NO. 41

Perigee
2020

Country
United States
Regulated designation
American Viticultural Areas (AVA)
Region
Washington
Subregion
Walla Walla Valley
Varietal(s)
Cabernet Sauvignon 54 %
Merlot 24 %
Cabernet Franc 12 %
Malbec 6 %
Petit Verdot 4 %
Alcohol percentage
14.5%
Colour
Red
Sugar
Dry
Total acidity
6.2 g/l
PH
3.70
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

Press reviews

Decanter

- 95 points -

GOLD MEDAL

May 2017

Quite full, ample and powerful with a fine but firm chassis of tannins and inviting blueberry and herbal flavours. An engaging wine with more than a little presence.

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James Suckling

- 95 points -

May 2023 (Vintage 2020)

Attractive aromas of ripe blackberries and cassis-liquor, together with notes of hazelnut chocolate, spice box and overturned earth. So dense and meaty, with full body and a velvety texture. The tannins are ripe and refined, yet still tight, and need some time to mellow. Its big and wide on the palate. Complex and lingering. 54% cabernet sauvignon, 24% merlot, 12% cabernet franc, 6% malbec and 4% petit verdot.

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Vinous

- 93 points -

October 2023 (Vintage 2020)

The 2020 Perigee Estate Seven Hills Vineyard is understated in the glass, wafting up with a delicate blend of sour orange, savory herbs and dried black cherries. It's soft and supple, with pretty red and blue fruit tones that find a lovely lift through juicy acidity. It tapers off long and structured, leaving a primary concentration of tart wild berry fruits and drying tannins.

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Jeb Dunnuck

- 93 points -

June 2023 (Vintage 2020)

The 2020 Perigee Estate Seven Hills Vineyard comes all from the estate Seven Hills Vineyard and checks in as a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec, and 4% Petit Verdot. It offers a pretty mix of red and blue fruits as well as chalky minerality, spring flowers, and lead pencil, with a more perfumed, slightly high-toned style that opens up nicely with time in the glass. This medium to full-bodied, pure, elegant 2020 has ripe tannins, a good sense of freshness, and outstanding length.

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 Wine Enthusiast

- 91 points -

July 2018

Cabernet Sauvignon makes up 56% of this blend, with the balance Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. It's locked up on first pour, with notes of barrel spice, dark chocolate, graphite, cassis, green herb and purple flower. The palate brings abundant cherry flavors backed by brawny, slightly astringent tannins. It shows a lot more tannic heft than this vineyard is often known for, needing significant time to settle in.

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Vinous

92+ Points

November 2018 (Vintage 2015)

Bright ruby-red. Penetrating perfume of cassis, licorice, chocolate, herbs and tobacco, plus a cedary note that's typical of the site and a hint of blackberry from the Petit Verdot. Chewy, very rich wine with terrific inner-mouth energy and subtle violet, laurel and rose petal lift from the Cabernet Franc. The longest and most palate-staining of these 2015 reds to this point, with the late-arriving tannins coating the teeth without turning dry. Marty Clubb mentioned that this wine historically was from the highest or the oldest block in Seven Hills but that with more sites to choose from today, he now has more options for making this wine.

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