Reviews & Ratings

2017 L'Ecole #41 Merlot "Columbia Valley"

Winery: L'Ecole #41

Vintage: 2017

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Columbia Valley"

Wine Category: Merlot

Grape blend: 81% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec & 2% Petit Verdot

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Columbia Valley

State or country: WA

Price: $25

Cases produced: 4,600

KWG Score: 90.8 (based on 5 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (90)

Review date: January 24, 2021

Wine Review: This medium purple colored Merlot from Washington state opens with a red plum and ripe black cherry bouquet with hints of tobacco and dusty cedar chest. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, well-balanced and easy to drink. The flavor profile is a black cherry and gentle graphite blend with notes of milk chocolate. We also detected some hints of red plum and toasted oak mixed in. The finish is dry and its flavors and medium fine tannins drift away nicely. While not overly complex, this is a crowd-pleasing Merlot would make for a very nice bistro pour. The Panel would pair this good value Merlot with a Great Hill blue cheese burger or beef stroganoff. Enjoy – KWGTP

Winemaker Notes: Layered with complex aromas of black cherry, rose petal, and plum, this full bodied, balanced Merlot shows layers of baking spices and cocoa with a seamless finish carried by fine-grained tannins.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell L'Ecole 2017 Columbia Valley Merlot.