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L’Ecole Nº 41 Winery 2017 Estate Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, $36

December 14, 2020 by Great Northwest Wine Leave a Comment

Marty Clubb and his teams in the vineyard and the cellar present a prime example of a Washington Merlot that’s also a reflection of the young and already historic Ferguson Vineyard on the Oregon side of the Walla Walla Valley. It’s a 50/50 blend of Ferguson and venerable Seven Hills, and the Ferguson influence is immediate with crushed rock elements in the nose from the vines that finger into fractured basalt. Thankfully, there’s minimal oak influence to distract from that terroir, the gobs of purple fruit and the orange oil notes. It’s big, but nicely balance, juicy and rather delicious with many years ahead.

Rating: Excellent

Production: 1,080 cases

Alcohol: 14.5%

Winery’s website

Filed Under: Latest wine reviews, Washington

About Great Northwest Wine

Articles credited to Great Northwest Wine are authored by Eric Degerman and other contributors. In most cases, these are wine reviews that are judged blind by the Great Northwest Wine tasting panel.

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