Beyond the Bottle : L'Ecole No 41 Archives

September 06, 2009

L'Ecole No 41 2008 "Walla Voila" Chenin Blanc

The L'Ecole 2008 "Walla Voila" Chenin Blanc (13.5%) is a wonderfully refreshing, food friendly wine, one that I am becoming a big fan of after drinking two consecutive vintages (see my coverage of the 2007 here). In the glass, the Walla Voila is a clear, light golden yellow color, offering scents of ripe melon and pineapple. Just as the back label describes, this Washington chenin blanc offers good fruit, crisp acidity, and a slight sweetness that pleases the palate. At $15, its a very good value, especially for those looking for a good wine to go with spicy foods....

Posted by Thad W. at 02:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 02, 2009

L' Ecole No. 41 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley

For the record, I am extremely biased toward Walla Walla Valley fruit, therefore my subjective palate has a tendency to become fully smitten with wines made from grapes sourced in this area of Washington state. Such is the case with the L' Ecole No. 41 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley, a wine I am left with feelings of regret for not having another bottle to enjoy. I came into possession of this wine as part of a mixed case I won well over a year ago after completing a customer survey for Northwest Palate magazine. In the glass,...

Posted by Thad W. at 09:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 18, 2008

L' Ecole No. 41 2005 Syrah Columbia Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) At this time of year, the food we serve at our table becomes hearty fare, and so do the wines that go with it. With winter arriving, there is nothing I like more than to reach for a bottle of Washington cabernet or syrah, especially wines from Walla Walla. And one of my favorite winter meals is a dish Kari crafts by sautéing onions, adding Italian sausage and then her homemade tomato sauce. While this combines in the pan on the stove stop, she starts a pot of soft polenta alongside it. As...

Posted by Thad W. at 09:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 29, 2008

L' Ecole No. 41 2006 Semillon Fries Vineyard

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) I should have looked closer at the label before opening this wine, for it wasn't until I poured it into the glass that I realized its alcohol was a whopping 14.4%. Yikes! I just don't understand how some folks can craft white wines with that much octane in them. I had received this bottle of L' Ecole No. 41 2006 Semillon Fries Vineyard Wahluke Slope as part of a mixed case prize from Northwest Palate magazine earlier this year. Otherwise, I would not have purchased a white wine like this, as most that...

Posted by Thad W. at 03:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 02, 2008

L'Ecole No 41 "Walla Voila" 2007 Chenin Blanc

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Whenever I stumble upon a bottle of Washington or Oregon wine that is made from a varietal that is off the beaten path, I will always buy it. No matter what the chance it might be poured down the drain, these wines are worth a try. Why? You just never know when one of these easily overlooked varietals might become a newly discovered favorite. Such is the case with the L'Ecole No 41 "Walla Voila" 2007 Chenin Blanc ($12.99), which was described on the back label in the following manner: A trademark of...

Posted by Thad W. at 07:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 12, 2008

Review: 26 Brix

Considering how often we visit Walla Walla to see famiy and friends, I can't believe it's taken us almost four years to finally eat at 26 Brix, a downtown restaurant that opened in 2004. During its first year in operation, we had heard that the place was a bit over-priced and high-brow, catering mostly to out-of-town tourists. It wasn't until the last two years or so that I had heard that 26 Brix had gone through a transformation, revamping its menu and lowering its prices to appeal to the local population. It seems these changes have paid off, for on...

Posted by Thad W. at 05:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 03, 2008

WIDWD: L'Ecole Nº 41 2002 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Syrah

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Boy, did this L'Ecole Nº 41 wine live up to its label, which states, "The fruit for our Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Syrah was harvested ultra-ripe, resulting in a dark, massive and dense wine." It certainly was a big, extracted wine with dark cherry fruit, providing a hearty wine on a cold winter night. Even still, it paired well with the grilled filet mignon we had last night with roasted fennel, red onions and carrots along with onion rings. The kosher salt and ground pepper seasoned free range beef was served with a chipotle...

Posted by Thad W. at 08:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 03, 2007

Review: L' Ecole No 41 Winery

On Highway 12 going to Walla Walla, you'll find L'Ecole No 41 winery just outside the town of Lowden. Like the other wineries on Highway 12 coming east into town, L'Ecole is a frequent stop for folks traveling to Walla Walla. And this Monday visit was no exception, with about a half dozen cars in the parking lot. L'Ecole No 41 is named after the school house in which it is located. It is a beautifully restored building that was originally constructed in 1915. L'Ecole produces about 30,000 cases each year, making it one of the larger wineries in the...

Posted by Thad W. at 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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September 06, 2009

L'Ecole No 41 2008 "Walla Voila" Chenin Blanc

May 02, 2009

L' Ecole No. 41 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley

December 18, 2008

L' Ecole No. 41 2005 Syrah Columbia Valley

November 29, 2008

L' Ecole No. 41 2006 Semillon Fries Vineyard

July 02, 2008

L'Ecole No 41 "Walla Voila" 2007 Chenin Blanc

April 12, 2008

Review: 26 Brix

February 03, 2008

WIDWD: L'Ecole Nº 41 2002 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Syrah

May 03, 2007

Review: L' Ecole No 41 Winery

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