L'Ecole No. 41

Columbia Valley Merlot

8.46 ratings
9.03 pro ratings
Columbia Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
Merlot
Beef, Venison, Salami & Prosciutto, Chili & Hot Spicy, Potato, Exotic Spices, Lamb, White Rice, Baking Spices, Herbs, Pasta, Chicken, Mushrooms, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Tomato-Based, Soft Cheese, Pork, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Byron C Mayes

Dark red purple with near black core. Inviting nose of black plum and graphite. Full-bodied palate confirms the nose with moderately firm tannins and medium plus acidity. Lingering dark graphite finish. This is what a “stinkin’ Merlot” should be like. Big, plush, and dark fruity. The almost Bordeaux-like mineral note adds to its capacity as a classic accompaniment to light cuts of beef, medium cheeses, or everyday casseroles. I’m enjoying with beef stroganoff. Drink now through 2025.

Dark red purple with near black core. Inviting nose of black plum and graphite. Full-bodied palate confirms the nose with moderately firm tannins and medium plus acidity. Lingering dark graphite finish. This is what a “stinkin’ Merlot” should be like. Big, plush, and dark fruity. The almost Bordeaux-like mineral note adds to its capacity as a classic accompaniment to light cuts of beef, medium cheeses, or everyday casseroles. I’m enjoying with beef stroganoff. Drink now through 2025.

Apr 27th, 2021
"Odedi"

It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Here's a nice one from Columbia Valley.

Dark ruby in color with a nice reddish rim.

Light nose of blueberries, black plums, cedar, light vanilla, earth, chocolates, pencil lead and black pepper.

Full bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, spices, chocolates, tobacco, coke, light vegetables and peppercorn.

Medium plus on the finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Merlot based Bordeaux blend from Washington State. Showing mild complexity with a nice mouthfeel.

Good by itself and with food. Nicely balanced and tangy.

Still young, but already enjoyable. Would be Interesting to see how this evolves in the next couple of years.

I've had the 2012 vintage a couple of years ago and I like this vintage better.

Wine Enthusiasts 92 points.

Needed 90 minutes in the decanter to open up properly, so give it time.

I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses. Really nice with the extra fatty Brie cheese.

A blend of 81% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged for 18 months in Oak barrels (30% new).

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$24.

It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Here's a nice one from Columbia Valley.

Dark ruby in color with a nice reddish rim.

Light nose of blueberries, black plums, cedar, light vanilla, earth, chocolates, pencil lead and black pepper.

Full bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, spices, chocolates, tobacco, coke, light vegetables and peppercorn.

Medium plus on the finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Merlot based Bordeaux blend from Washington State. Showing mild complexity with a nice mouthfeel.

Good by itself and with food. Nicely balanced and tangy.

Still young, but already enjoyable. Would be Interesting to see how this evolves in the next couple of years.

I've had the 2012 vintage a couple of years ago and I like this vintage better.

Wine Enthusiasts 92 points.

Needed 90 minutes in the decanter to open up properly, so give it time.

I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses. Really nice with the extra fatty Brie cheese.

A blend of 81% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged for 18 months in Oak barrels (30% new).

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$24.

1 person found it helpfulDec 3rd, 2020
Michael Chelus

Cherry, raspberry, currant, blackberry, plum and oak. Full-bodied and soft tannins.

Cherry, raspberry, currant, blackberry, plum and oak. Full-bodied and soft tannins.

1 person found it helpfulOct 2nd, 2020
Caitlin Banta

2017

Jul 17th, 2021
Chris Pham

full-bodied for a Merlot, lacking finish and not as fruity as expected

full-bodied for a Merlot, lacking finish and not as fruity as expected

Jun 4th, 2021
Nicole Ruiz Hudson

Plums, blackberries, raspberries accented with clove, and hints of sweet tobacco greeted me on the nose. There is a mixture of riper and more tart fruits on the palate, which are joined by hints of black tea, pepper, tobacco, light dried herbs, followed by earthiness and pencil lead. The wine’s structure was well balanced so that eventhough the body of the wine was medium+ to full, with fine tannins that gripped a little on the finish, it also had enough acidity so that it didn’t feel overly weighty.

Sample

http://www.sommstable.com/2020/10/5-merlotme-nights.html

Plums, blackberries, raspberries accented with clove, and hints of sweet tobacco greeted me on the nose. There is a mixture of riper and more tart fruits on the palate, which are joined by hints of black tea, pepper, tobacco, light dried herbs, followed by earthiness and pencil lead. The wine’s structure was well balanced so that eventhough the body of the wine was medium+ to full, with fine tannins that gripped a little on the finish, it also had enough acidity so that it didn’t feel overly weighty.

Sample

http://www.sommstable.com/2020/10/5-merlotme-nights.html

Oct 18th, 2020