L'Ecole No. 41 Merlot Columbia Valley

Chocolate, cherry, a little hot and thin on opening. Kind of disappointed-very disjointed

Good QPR

A little disappointing - slightly musty, taking away from the fruit

Part of a large tasting. Raspberry, plum and black cherry. Good aromas, lighter flavor. Tannins show up in the finish.

I’m one of those who never cared much for Merlot. After from getting some insight barrel aging, I don’t like the dirty taste I get from Hungarian Oak. This is the most enjoyable Merlot and L’Ecole wine I’ve had. Not dirty/earthy taste. Beautiful mellow and rounded mid fruit with a round finish. I’d let this breath in a decanter for a bit. I have found decanting really help any L’Ecole red. If you don’t like Merlot, this one may change …

Very drinkable alone or with a meal Would buy again

Medium ruby, with a rich chocolate-cherry nose, as well as coffee and earth notes. A little hot (14.5%) but with nice flavor, decently high acid (medium(+)), and again the chocolate-cherry on the palate, especially retronasally. Still good on day 2. Would buy again!

Strong tannins and medium acidity provides a nice lift. Pepper on the long finish. Strong aromas of plum, blackberry, cherry, pencil lead, dried herbs, chocolate and cedar.

I'm not a Merlot fan, but this was quite good. A little on the hot/overripe/alcoholic side, it nevertheless shows a touch of the herbal/vegetal character I like in a balanced Merlot. 14.5% alcohol.

Solid