2012 L'Ecole No. 41 Columbia Valley Merlot

L’Ecole No. 41 was founded in 1983 in Walla Walla Valley. It was founded by Jean and Baker Ferguson. Jean was the winemaker and Baker, a banker by profession, managed the business. Today the estate is owned and run by the Bakers’ daughter, Meagan, and her husband Marty Clubb. The winery gets its name from the historic, early 20th century schoolhouse where the winery makes its headquarters. L’Ecole No. 41 owns vineyards and sources grapes from several Washington appellations. The estate makes a broad portfolio of red and white wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Grenache, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Semillon. In 2013 Wine & Spirits Magazine named L’Ecole the Winery of the Year.

Columbia Valley AVA is larger than some states. At 18,000 square miles, or 11 million acres, the appellation covers almost half of Washington State and a small part of Oregon on the south side of the Columbia River. Established in 1984, Columbia Valley contains numerous sub appellations within its boundaries, including Yakima Valley AVA and Walla Walla AVA, both large and important wine districts. Columbia Valley AVA, generally called the Columbia Basin by Pacific Northwesterners, is in the Columbia River Plateau, and the AVA also includes a section of northeastern Oregon. There are dozens of microclimates within this appellation of about 7,000 vineyard acres. Many kinds of grapes are grown in the Columbia Valley, though the principal grapes planted are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling, Syrah, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc. Eastern Washington experiences very hot summers and cold winters, and the northern latitude means that Washington vineyards receive several more hours of sun in the summer than California vineyards. Grapes in Washington therefore have time to develop significant tannins and overall ripeness.

The Merlot grape is such a deep blue that it is named for the blackbird. It’s an early ripening grape and one of the primary varietals used In Bordeaux. Merlot is also grown in the "International style," which is harvested later to bring out more tannins and body.