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Wine of the Week - 2011 L'Ecole No. 41 Perigee Seven Hills Vineyard Walla Walla Valley @lecole41

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 A Definitive Walla Walla Red Wine with Presence.

L’Ecole has been producing wines from Seven Hills Vineyard since 1993. They hand-select from the oldest and best blocks to produce this flagship wine.

Perigee: When the moon is at Perigee, closest distance to the Earth, there is more gravitational pull which contributes to higher tides or greater variation in the high and low tide.

An aptly named wine, I could feel the "pull" of the 2011 Perigee. Worthy of "Wine of the Week" recognition. Well done.

Tasting Notes 2011 L'Ecole No. 41 Perigee

Color: Dark burgundy.
Nose: Spicy, dried cherry, chocolate, tea.
Palate: Cherry-chocolate, spicy oak, black tea tannin, light chocolate, dry on the gums. Interesting at open and rather tasty.

After 15 minutes: Richer, fuller, more intense on the palate. Delivered a lot of pleasure. Would be an excellent choice for entertaining or eating out at a nice restaurant.

After 30 minutes: Chocolate spice, blackberry, candied rhubarb, black currant, cedar shavings. Full in the mouth, dry tacky tannin on the tongue and lower gum, dark fruit, blueberry, blackberry, cherry, light spice, touch of coffee, fine medium-long finish, balanced. Big like. Who needs food? Ready to drink. Tongue stained a lovely shade of purple.

After an hour: Rich berry, earthy background, good presence. Masculine wine, dark berry, expansive, earthy with graphite core, dry grip on gums and teeth, cherry cola and coffee on the medium-long finish. Boo ya! Delivered.

Day two: Enjoyed the expansive nose, dry tannin on cheeks and lower gum. Earthier than day one. Rich berry, coffee into the finish. Very food worthy and drinkable. Delivered again.

Thoughts: Heavy bottle, deep punt. Delivered at opening and over the next hour and into day two. My advice is to open and drink now. Enjoy with best friends or just because.
Strongly Recommended + Wine of the Week.

Blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot
Seven Hills Vineyard, Estate Grown
AVA: Walla Walla
Closure: Natural cork
ABV: 14.5%
SRP: $49
Production: 1,115 cases
Sample provided by winery

Painting which inspired original L'Ecole label.

L'Ecole No. 41
41 Lowden School Road
P.O. Box 111
Lowden, WA 99360
www.lecole.com
Winery Tasting Room.

Stop by the converted school house in Lowden, just miles outside of Walla Walla for a wonderful wine tasting experience. Named Best Tasting Room: “The tasting staff walks visitors through L’Ecole’s prize-winning lineup without pretense, a modest approach that’s refreshing.”  – SeattleMagazine

Cheers!
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