Description

L’Ecole No. 41 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

93 pts – Wine Enthusiast

A dark raspberry aroma is one thing. But when you add aromas of earth, mint, rosemary and the sweet citrus scent of a guarana perfume, you have something amazing. A lightning bolt of acidity teams up with grippy tannins to support blackberry and black tea flavors. The texture is still a bit chewy. Enjoy 2024–2035.

WINEMAKER COMMENT

For over 40 years, L’Ecole has built long-term partnerships with the oldest and most proven vineyards, providing access to some of the best fruit in the Columbia Valley. With an average vine age of more than 20 years, this wine shows a classic Cabernet Sauvignon profile of firm structure, integrated tannins, and dark expressive fruit.

KEY VINEYARDS

Candy Mountain, Alder Ridge, McKinley Springs, Rosebud, Coyote Canyon, Eritage, Stone Tree, Pepper Bridge, Estate Seven Hills, Summit View

VINTAGE

ƒ A hot season yielded to cooler ripening weather during the fall resulting in unusually low yields, intense concentration, high acidity, and outstanding quality in what will likely become a memorable vintage.
ƒ Bud break was average with a 10-day stretch of cold nights putting growers on frost watch.
ƒ Warm spring conditions led to an early bloom, followed by a heat dome with record high temps in late June contributing to lower yields at the end of the season. Summer heat resulted in one of the hottest vintages on record, similar to 2015.
ƒ Harvest started in late August with ideal fall weather leading to a balanced fruit ripening.
ƒ Small berries, low yields, and cool harvest weather produced an outstanding quality vintage.

WINEMAKING

ƒ Over 40 years of meticulous vineyard management and winemaking experience are fundamental to the quality of our wines and reputation for excellence.
ƒ Each lot was harvested at ideal ripeness and gently crushed into 1.5 and 5-ton steel fermenters.
ƒ Gentle handling of the fruit through hand punch downs and gravity-assisted movements was utilized throughout the entire winemaking process.
ƒ The wine was cleanly racked to a carefully selected blend of French, American, and Hungarian oak barrels, 20% new, and barrel-aged for 22 months.

TASTING NOTES

With its classic Cabernet profile, this expressive wine shows layers of dark fruits, cocoa, graphite, thyme, and espresso accented by a subtle hint of lavender. The palate showcases blackberry, cassis, and herb flavors leading to a flavorful finish supported by fine tannins

HARVEST DATA

Average Brix 25.4°
Average pH 3.76
Average Acidity 5.0 g/L

WINE DATA

Composition 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON
pH 3.76
Total Acidity 6.0
Alcohol 14.5%