L'Ecole No 41 Syrah 2022

This full-bodied Syrah shows robust, fruit-forward aromas of blackberry, cassis, and black plum accentuated with hints of violet, black peppercorn, and anise. Dark fruit flavors laced with spice reveal themselves on the palate with a rich, mouth-filling, and velvety finish.

Vineyard:

Stone Tree, Estate Seven Hills, Bacchus, Candy Mountain, Eritage, Summit View

• A cooler-than-average growing season resulted in a later-than-normal harvest, resulting in above-average yields and outstanding quality wines with naturally high acidity, low sugar levels, excellent balance, and beautiful expression of fruit.
• As a result of the mild winter, early varieties budded in late March or early April. Bud break for the late varieties was delayed due to a cold and snowy April that kept the blowers running, followed by a cool and rainy May. The weather was favorable at the time of flowering, and the fruiting period was excellent, with flowering two weeks later than usual.
• July and August were hot and the spring moisture allowed the canopy to grow significantly. Mold infestations were common and isolated fields caused problems. The heat wave caused the canopy to close, inhibiting excessive fruit growth.
• Veraison was two weeks later than normal, and a warm fall and cool nights provided perfect late fall ripening conditions, with most of the harvest taking place in October.
• The long hang time provided ideal fruit balance and flavors that developed before sugar, setting the stage for the excellent 2022 vintage wines. Despite problems during the growing season, the dice were on our side at every turn.

• Over 40 years of meticulous vineyard management and winemaking experience are fundamental to the quality of our wines and reputation for excellence.
• Each lot was hand-harvested ripe and gently crushed into 1.5-ton stainless steel fermenters. 
• Gentle handling of the fruit through hand punch downs and gravity-assisted movements was utilized throughout the entire winemaking process. Stems were added back into 15% of the ferment to help build a smooth tannin profile and stabilize the color. 
• The wine was cleanly racked to a carefully selected blend of French, American, and Hungarian oak barrels, 20% new, and barrel-aged for 18 months.
   

L’Ecole N° 41 is a third-generation family-owned, artisan winery located in the historic Frenchtown School depicted on our label.  Founded in 1983, we were the third winery established in the Walla Walla Valley.  We have become one of the most prominent and visible Walla Walla Valley wineries with national and international distribution.

L’Ecole is one of the most honored wineries in Washington State and has garnered national and international accolades over the years for producing superior-quality wines.  We are proud to be recognized by Wine & Spirits Magazine as a Top 100 Winery of the Year seventeen times.  In 2014, Decanter awarded our 2011 Estate Ferguson the International Trophy for Best Bordeaux Blend in the World!  In 2016, the 2013 Ferguson won the International Trophy for Best New World Bordeaux Blend from the Six Nations Wine Challenge.