2005 L'Ecole No 41 Merlot

Columbia Valley, Washington

L'Ecole No 41 Merlot is one of the gems of the Pacific Northwest. L'Ecole Nș 41 is a family-owned business founded by Jean and Baker Ferguson. It is owned and operated today by their daughter and son-in-law, Megan and Martin Clubb. The winery is named for a schoolhouse built in 1915 in historic Frenchtown, a small community just west of Walla Walla, Washington. Frenchtown derived its name from the many French-Canadians who settled the valley during the early 1800s, many of whom began producing wine.

L'Ecole No 41 Merlot is ruby red in color, a blend of 80% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot. Rich and spicy with an aromatic nose of nutmeg, clove and cinnamon, this Merlot shows ripe black plum and blackberry flavors encased in a chocolate, black cherry finish. The wine is gently racked into a combination of new and older French and American oak barrels and aged for 18 months. With rich black cherry and berry fruit flavors in balance with the tannins, the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered. This wine received a rating of 90 points from Wine Spectator!

Enjoy L'Ecole No 41 Merlot over the next 7-8 years with roast duck, grilled chicken, rich vegetable dishes and cheeses.