L'Ecole No. 41
Columbia Valley Sémillon
Columbia Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
New vintage of a benchmark Semillon, 82/18 blend with Sauvignon Blanc. Pale yellow, excellent clarity. Some grass and funk notes in nose on initial pour. Pear and peach flavors, rounded mouthfeel, viscous body, slightly hot finish. Orchard and stone fruit aftertaste with very slight skin astringency. Let it open a bit… Not a wine for sipping, more a heavy duty food wine for a veggie, dairy-intensive or fat-rich meal. Gratin or forno dishes for autumn or winter come to mind. Root veggies too.
New vintage of a benchmark Semillon, 82/18 blend with Sauvignon Blanc. Pale yellow, excellent clarity. Some grass and funk notes in nose on initial pour. Pear and peach flavors, rounded mouthfeel, viscous body, slightly hot finish. Orchard and stone fruit aftertaste with very slight skin astringency. Let it open a bit… Not a wine for sipping, more a heavy duty food wine for a veggie, dairy-intensive or fat-rich meal. Gratin or forno dishes for autumn or winter come to mind. Root veggies too.
Mar 1st, 2023
This is a crisp Sémillon blend from Washington State.
Showing limes, grapefruits, lemons, citrus, green apples, bitter herbs, light vegetables and spices.
Dry on the palate with medium plus acidity.
Fruit forward and spicy.
Good by itself and better with food.
A blend of 88% Sémillon and 12% Sauvignon Blanc.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
88 points.
This is a crisp Sémillon blend from Washington State.
Showing limes, grapefruits, lemons, citrus, green apples, bitter herbs, light vegetables and spices.
Dry on the palate with medium plus acidity.
Fruit forward and spicy.
Good by itself and better with food.
A blend of 88% Sémillon and 12% Sauvignon Blanc.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
88 points.
Lemon in color with a green tint.
On the nose green apples, earth, grapefruits, herbs, spices and light green vegetables.
Medium bodied with medium plus acidity.
Dry on the palate with grapefruits, limes, lemons, green apples, bitter herbs, spices, vegetables and white pepper.
Short finish with bitter almonds.
This is a nice Sémillon blend from Washington State.
Crisp and refreshing. Earthy with a white Bordeaux feel.
A good food wine that I paired with cheeses and crackers.
A blend of 88% Sémillon and 12% Sauvignon Blanc. Fermented and aged in neutral French Oak barrels for 5 months.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
87 Points.
$15.
Lemon in color with a green tint.
On the nose green apples, earth, grapefruits, herbs, spices and light green vegetables.
Medium bodied with medium plus acidity.
Dry on the palate with grapefruits, limes, lemons, green apples, bitter herbs, spices, vegetables and white pepper.
Short finish with bitter almonds.
This is a nice Sémillon blend from Washington State.
Crisp and refreshing. Earthy with a white Bordeaux feel.
A good food wine that I paired with cheeses and crackers.
A blend of 88% Sémillon and 12% Sauvignon Blanc. Fermented and aged in neutral French Oak barrels for 5 months.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
87 Points.
$15.
Good expression of varietal character: hay, peach, dried stone and orchard fruit. 86/14 blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. I don’t understand some of the harsh reviews here on this wine and producer. If it doesn’t taste like Chardonnay, buy a Chardonnay instead. There are not many single varietal producers stateside of Semillon, let alone majority Semillon blends in US or elsewhere around the world. This combination makes great dessert wines in Sauternes, so a little love for the table wine version, please; greatness is possible. Try Semillon wines like this with an open mind and give them a chance.
Good expression of varietal character: hay, peach, dried stone and orchard fruit. 86/14 blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. I don’t understand some of the harsh reviews here on this wine and producer. If it doesn’t taste like Chardonnay, buy a Chardonnay instead. There are not many single varietal producers stateside of Semillon, let alone majority Semillon blends in US or elsewhere around the world. This combination makes great dessert wines in Sauternes, so a little love for the table wine version, please; greatness is possible. Try Semillon wines like this with an open mind and give them a chance.
Nov 10th, 2020
Apple, lemon, dried apricot, candied citron and hints of oak. Good acidity and balance.
Apple, lemon, dried apricot, candied citron and hints of oak. Good acidity and balance.
Oct 15th, 2020
I was pretty surprised by how much I enjoyed this! It’s a bigger white wine but it is harmonious.
I was pretty surprised by how much I enjoyed this! It’s a bigger white wine but it is harmonious.
Mar 8th, 2020A benchmark version for this varietal, and haven’t had it for awhile... A slightly golden yellow, excellent clarity. Floral, grass, perfume, ripe peach notes in nose. Peach and lemon flavors, slight skin astringency on finish, rounded mouthfeel, good acidity with dried apricot in aftertaste. Really good value
A benchmark version for this varietal, and haven’t had it for awhile... A slightly golden yellow, excellent clarity. Floral, grass, perfume, ripe peach notes in nose. Peach and lemon flavors, slight skin astringency on finish, rounded mouthfeel, good acidity with dried apricot in aftertaste. Really good value
Feb 4th, 2020Apple, lemon, dried apricot, honey, hay and hints of oak. Great acidity and minerality.
Apple, lemon, dried apricot, honey, hay and hints of oak. Great acidity and minerality.
Oct 12th, 2019