L'Ecole No. 41 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Drink now or cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant before serving. Set in Washington’s stunning Walla Walla wine appellation, L’Ecole No. 41 was founded in 1983 by husband and wife Jean and Baker Ferguson. It’s named after the old schoolhouse that houses the winery and was built in 1915 by French-Canadian settlers who planted the first vines here in the early 1800s. Over the years the estate has gained a reputation for being one of the region's finest; they’ve been recognised as a Top 100 Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast magazine 15 times. These days the estate is run by the couple’s daughter and son-in-law, Megan and Marty, who have a minimum intervention approach in the winery to allow the fantastic local terroir to shine through. Long sunny days, cool nights, and the proximity to the Blue Mountains help produce perfectly-ripe fruit with refined tannins and enticing dark fruit flavours. This punchy Cabernet Sauvignon is made in an attractive Old World style from grapes grown on prestigious vineyards belonging to L’Ecole as well as their partner growers. Once in the winery, the fruit is vinified and the young wine aged in French oak barrels for 22 months before bottling. This helps add polish and complexity to the cuvee, seasoning the luscious dark fruit flavours with hints of spice, licorice and leather.