WOODINVILLE, Wash. — The Auction of Washington Wines, one of the top five charitable wine auctions in the U.S., has named Marty Clubb, owner/managing winemaker of L’Ecole N° 41 in the Walla Walla Valley, as the recipient of its 2023 Award of Distinction. This year marks the 36th annual Auction of Washington Wines, and the presentation to Clubb will be featured as part of the … [Read more...] about Marty Clubb of L’Ecole N° 41 to receive Award of Distinction from Auction of Washington Wines
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Ryan Pennington signs on for long term as LʼEcole COO
LOWDEN, Wash. — Marty Clubb and LʼEcole N° 41 have made a statement to the wine community by recruiting Ste. Michelle Wine Estates executive Ryan Pennington to become chief operating officer of the 40-year-old Walla Walla Valley brand. “I can hear jaws hitting the table with this news,“ Clubb told Great Northwest Wine. “The 40th anniversary says a lot about our past, but it … [Read more...] about Ryan Pennington signs on for long term as LʼEcole COO
Watermill Winery 2018 Anna Marie Vineyard Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley $55
In 2001, the Brown family planted Anna Marie Vineyard in the Blue Mountain foothills south of Walla Walla, so these vines are entering their prime, which shows in this effort from the cellar of Brian Roy — credited with two Platinum-winning Cabs this fall. Its approach and structure hints at the influence of a cooler site in its profile of dark purple — rather than black — … [Read more...] about Watermill Winery 2018 Anna Marie Vineyard Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley $55
Zerba Cellars 2019 Cockburn Vineyard Estate Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley $50
Jon Cockburn Vineyard is the Zerba site in the Blue Mountain foothills, and it’s shown itself to be a consistent site for this early-ripening Spanish red, producing a trio of Platinums over the years, starting with the 2007 vintage. The deployment of 50% new American oak barrels doesn’t distract from the superb and fruit-forward approach of black currant, dark blueberry and … [Read more...] about Zerba Cellars 2019 Cockburn Vineyard Estate Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley $50
Zerba Cellars 2018 Winesap Vineyard Estate The Rocks Syrah, The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater $60
This bottling signals the second vintage for Brent Roberts spearheading the winemaking at Zerba Cellars, but the Washington State University grad certainly knew about working with Syrah out of The Rocks from his time at Gramercy Cellars in the Walla Walla Valley. His work here shows skill as he ushers the funkiness into the shadows. Instead, the focus stays on dark plum, figs … [Read more...] about Zerba Cellars 2018 Winesap Vineyard Estate The Rocks Syrah, The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater $60