L'ECOLE NO. 41 - Merlot  - 2014

L'ECOLE NO. 41

Merlot 2014

Many of the Northwest’s most storied vineyards for Bordeaux varieties — Klipsun, Bacchus and Dionysus at Sagemoor, Weinbau, StoneTree, Pepper Bridge and the estate Seven Hills — contribute to this big, full-bodied expression of Washington Merlot. Managing winemaker Marty Clubb and winemaker Mike Sharon invested 18 months in 30 percent new oak, which is revealed in aromas of coconut and cocoa with black cherry and blackberry. Inside, it’s akin to a spoonful of cherry cobbler with a mouthfilling blend of huckleberry and pomegranate acidity. Balanced plum-skin tannins allow for a finishing dash of white pepper. This is among the largest bottlings from the historic little schoolhouse in west of Walla Walla, and it has national distribution. In Clubb’s native state of Texas, they’d enjoy this with beef.

May 2017