2022 L'Ecole No. 41 - Frenchtown Red Columbia Valley (750ml)

L'Ecole No. 41 was founded in 1983 by Jean and Baker Ferguson as a retirement project, making it the third winery established in the Walla Walla Valley. The winery takes its name and its schoolhouse label from the historic Frenchtown School, built in 1915, which still houses the winery and tasting room today. Baker and Jean's daughter Megan and her husband Marty Clubb took over in 1989, growing the operation from a small family project into one of Washington's most decorated wineries while keeping ownership within the family across three generations.

Frenchtown Red is a blend crafted from grapes grown across the Columbia Valley, honoring the French Canadian settlers who first planted vines in the Walla Walla Valley in the early 1800s. The 2022 vintage combines Merlot as the backbone with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Mourvèdre, reflecting the winery's Rhône and Bordeaux influenced style. After fermentation, the wine spent about nine months in mostly neutral oak, followed by another six months resting in bottle before release, a process meant to favor fruit purity over heavy oak influence.

This medium bodied red offers a bright, fruit forward profile of dark cherry, blueberry, and red plum, layered with anise, thyme, and violet notes. Finely textured tannins carry the wine to a juicy, well balanced finish. It pairs nicely with grilled meats, tomato based pasta dishes, or aged cheeses.