L'Ecole No. 41

Columbia Valley Syrah

8.9154 ratings
8.719 pro ratings
Columbia Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
Syrah
Lamb
Top Notes For
Tom Casagrande

Served a little too warm, so the alc. is too prominent. Dark peppery fruit and smoky notes on nose. More like a southern Rhône-grown Syrah than northern. 375 ml.

Served a little too warm, so the alc. is too prominent. Dark peppery fruit and smoky notes on nose. More like a southern Rhône-grown Syrah than northern. 375 ml.

1 person found it helpfulMay 25th, 2018
Matt Sterr

Great mouthfeel. BBQ 🍖 Wine. Great for the money.

Great mouthfeel. BBQ 🍖 Wine. Great for the money.

1 person found it helpfulApr 10th, 2018
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

L'Ecole means "The School" for those of you French challenged. On the nose, dark currants, smoke, grilled meats, black licorice anise, white pepper, milk & dark chocolate, dry powdery soil with stones & dark decayed flowers. The palate is rich & thick. Dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, strawberries after it opens up, dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, violets, dark flowers, dry stones with dry top soil, grilled meats, pepper & black licorice anise. Still quite big...needs time to develop. Good round acidity and lush, sexy long finish.

L'Ecole means "The School" for those of you French challenged. On the nose, dark currants, smoke, grilled meats, black licorice anise, white pepper, milk & dark chocolate, dry powdery soil with stones & dark decayed flowers. The palate is rich & thick. Dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, strawberries after it opens up, dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, violets, dark flowers, dry stones with dry top soil, grilled meats, pepper & black licorice anise. Still quite big...needs time to develop. Good round acidity and lush, sexy long finish.

1 person found it helpfulAug 11th, 2017
John Shane

John had this 7 years ago

John had this 7 years ago

1 person found it helpfulFeb 19th, 2017
April Yap-Hennig

Wine writer SacredDrop.com

9.1

2009 vintage, Syrah. One of my fav wineries from from #WallaWalla. Inky dark jammy berries intermixed with tobacco and leather. Definitely a sipper.

2009 vintage, Syrah. One of my fav wineries from from #WallaWalla. Inky dark jammy berries intermixed with tobacco and leather. Definitely a sipper.

1 person found it helpfulNov 19th, 2016
Scott Wren

WA Syrah with 20% Grenache. A bit hot at 15%. But a nice white pepper and earthy but a bit on the light side for Syrah which will be good with short ribs. Given that the waitress knew zip about wines we could have done way worse .

WA Syrah with 20% Grenache. A bit hot at 15%. But a nice white pepper and earthy but a bit on the light side for Syrah which will be good with short ribs. Given that the waitress knew zip about wines we could have done way worse .

1 person found it helpfulAug 11th, 2014
Sue Mohle

2009 vintage drinking smooth NOW where current vintages would be rough out of the gate

2009 vintage drinking smooth NOW where current vintages would be rough out of the gate

1 person found it helpfulApr 6th, 2014
TC Frazier

Very big and coats the mouth. Dark bitter chocolate and baking spices.

Very big and coats the mouth. Dark bitter chocolate and baking spices.

1 person found it helpfulMar 8th, 2014
Justin Hart

Great Syrah character, red fruit and a hint of peppery earth, all for under $20... doesn't have the finish of pricier Syrah's, but pretty darn good.

Great Syrah character, red fruit and a hint of peppery earth, all for under $20... doesn't have the finish of pricier Syrah's, but pretty darn good.

Dec 30th, 2016
David Kline

Smoky, ripe blackberry and raspberry reduction, cedar, juniper and fig newton on nasal inhalation. Near-heavy mouthfeel echoes smoky blackberries and volcanic rocks, rosemary, crumpled satin tannins, Connecticut wrapper, cinnamon toast. Be true to your school!

Smoky, ripe blackberry and raspberry reduction, cedar, juniper and fig newton on nasal inhalation. Near-heavy mouthfeel echoes smoky blackberries and volcanic rocks, rosemary, crumpled satin tannins, Connecticut wrapper, cinnamon toast. Be true to your school!

May 6th, 2016