The UnCorker

2006 L’Ecole No 41 Columbia Valley Semillon

April 18, 2009 | In WINE REVIEWS | No Comments

Washington state, the best worst promoted wine region maybe in the world. Eastern Washington is a viticulturists dream; moderate heat, loads of sun, cool nights, and poor, sandy soils. The reach of irrigation systems determines the limits of viticulture. Not to say one place in Eastern Washington is as good as the next, its a region on the move with several American Viticultural Areas(AVA’s) known for very high quality red and whites, though it seems few even realize that the state has AVA’s- maybe its because the Washington wines most people know are reasonably priced, massed produced wines from the state’s giants, Chateau Ste Michelle(a subsidiary of American Tobacco Company) and the huge Columbia Crest. Both produce some fine wines, some in conjunction with the Loosen’s of Germany, and Antinori, of Tuscan fame.

Reds are primarily from french grapes; merlot, cabernet and syrah, but exotics such as lemberger are popping up all of the time. Whites gained a foothold in Washington before reds, and semillon is a consistent source of exciting wines, and L’Ecole No 41 is one of the top producers. Just west of Walla Walla, the winery is located in an old school house, and they manage to produce about 30,000 cases of wine annually- They make a couple of single vineyard semillons, as well as a late harvest dessert wine of semillon.

The 2006 Columbia Valley Semillon is harvested very ripe, a house style that the climate definitely allows- the semillon is blended with about 10% sauvignon blanc for aromatic complexity. The wine is barrel fermented, and spends 6 months on its lees, and woow, all of that sure shows, rich and ripe, creamy with honeysuckle and stonefruit, green fruit and a zesty acidity and freshness that help balance the whopping 14.3% abv. This is an opulent wine, best served with creamy cheeses or grilled or broiled shellfish- definitely has  potential to age 5 to 10 years and acquire some more richness in place of that nervy acidity.