L'Ecole No 41 Merlot 2022

This Merlot exhibits lively aromas of plum, cherry, and macerated berries accented by savory notes of sage leaf, fresh tobacco, cola, and cedar. Full-bodied and vigorous, this wine bursts with flavors of kirsch and cocoa powder contrasted by an enchanting old-world character. Charming and inviting, its finish is balanced and lingering.

VINEYARDS

Estate Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge, Weinbau, Summit View, Candy Mountain, Estate Ferguson, Dionysus, Eritage, Stone Tree, Rosebud

• A cooler-than-average growing season resulted in a late harvest with above-averageyields and outstanding wine quality with higher natural acidity, lower sugars, wonderfulbalance, and a beautiful expression of fruit.
• A warm winter finish resulted in a bud break for early varietals in late March/early April.Bud break for later varietals was delayed due to a cold and snowy April which kept windmachines running followed by a cool and wet May. The weather cooperated at bloom,and we experienced an excellent fruit set with bloom two weeks later than normal.
• July and August were hot with large canopy growth from spring moisture. Mildewpressure was high and caused some problems in isolated vineyards. High heat shutcanopies down and prevented excessive berry growth.
• Veraison was two weeks later than normal. A warmer fall with cool nights created perfectlate-season ripening conditions, with the majority of harvest occurring in October.
• Long hang time contributed to ideal fruit balance and flavors that developed in advanceof sugars, creating an expectation of wonderful 2022 vintage wines. Despite challengesthat arose during the growing season, the dice rolled in our favor at each turn.

•  40 years of meticulous vineyard management and winemaking experience are fundamental to the quality of our wines and reputation for excellence.
•  Each lot was hand-harvested at ideal ripeness and gently crushed into 1.5 and 5 ton stainless steel fermenters.
•  Gentle handling of the fruit through hand punch downs and gravity-assisted movements was utilized throughout the entire winemaking process.
•  The wine was cleanly racked to small oak barrels, 20% new, and barrel-aged for 18 months.

L’Ecole N° 41 is a third-generation family-owned, artisan winery located in the historic Frenchtown School depicted on our label.  Founded in 1983, we were the third winery established in the Walla Walla Valley.  We have become one of the most prominent and visible Walla Walla Valley wineries with national and international distribution.

L’Ecole is one of the most honored wineries in Washington State and has garnered national and international accolades over the years for producing superior-quality wines.  We are proud to be recognized by Wine & Spirits Magazine as a Top 100 Winery of the Year seventeen times.  In 2014, Decanter awarded our 2011 Estate Ferguson the International Trophy for Best Bordeaux Blend in the World!  In 2016, the 2013 Ferguson won the International Trophy for Best New World Bordeaux Blend from the Six Nations Wine Challenge.