Friday Sips

Having been in existence since 1983, L'Ecole No 41, led by MIT-educated Marty Clubb is one of the pioneering producers of the Walla Walla region. Often times we forget just how great these wines really are. A few years back I visited and spent 3 hours on a tasting visit with this intense, professorial dude, my appreciation for these wines grew even more. Yours should, too! These are some of the finest values in Walla Walla, especially given their impeccable quality.

Apogee and Perigee (see below) are blends inspired by the Old World viewpoint of highlighting the vineyard site regardless of a dominant varietal. Since 1993, L'Ecole No. 41 has produced these inspiring wines and the combination of grapes changes based on the given conditions that each vintage offers. Apogee is the point in the orbit of the moon that is the greatest distance from the earth; the farthest point or apex, and reflects all that L'Ecole tries to accomplish with the wine, reaching the ultimate in quality. The 2009 is blended with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 7% Malbec & 3% Cabernet Franc. Boldly aromatic, this wine has spicy aromas of cinnamon and nutmeg, earthy hints of sweet tobacco and leather, and smoky dark fruit packed with a chocolate, mint and cherry finish....Along with the following wine, it is one of the great Walla Walla blends and at this price , it is a major heist!!! Drink through 2024+.

Perigee is the closest point to the earth in the moon's orbit and it's "closeness to the earth" moniker exemplifies the Seven Hills Vineyard's characteristics with its blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec & 4% Petite Verdot. Version 2009 delivers cedary, black cherry explosiveness, especially on the nose. With perfumed aromas of exotic spice, generous blackberry fruit and silky velvet-laden texture, this wine exudes power and grace on an endless, earthy mineral finish. Perigee is going to require a little patience. Like the previously-mentioned Apogee, the Perigee is one of Walla Walla's great red wines and at this price, we highly encourage you to take advantage! Drink this stunner through 2024+.

It is amazing at how one line in a lame movie was able to inflict so much controversy on one grape. On one hand, it hurt tacticians such as Marty Clubb and L'Ecole No. 41 who have always and continue to craft luxurious wines from this unfortunately maligned grape varietal. On the other-hand, we saw the destruction of many overoaked, swampy, underwined less-than-stellar Merlots that we were all happy to see vanish from the wine map. The third hand is that 8 years later, natural selection has occurred and we are now seeing a resurrection of sorts for this noble grape.

L'Ecole Nº 41 is a partner in the much-loved and highly regarded Seven Hills Vineyard, along with Pepper Bridge Winery and Leonetti Cellars. Very well-known for their prowess with Merlot from this vineyard site, the 2009 is absolutely heavenly. 76% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, L'Ecole's Seven Hills Vineyard Merlot shows its characteristic cedary, silky black cherry fruit, with cool mint and baking spice aromas and a compelling mix of blueberry, blackberry and cocoa on an elegant, earthy mineral finish. With mature vines, this consistently rich and flavorful Merlot shows elegance and finesse, yet wonderful complexity and length on the finish. Beautiful now and will develop nicely for 10-12 years.