{"product_id":"2022-l-ecole-no-41-merlot-columbia-valley-usa","title":"2022 L’Ecole No. 41 Merlot, Columbia Valley, USA","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"137\" data-end=\"151\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"137\" data-end=\"151\"\u003eThe Moment\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"153\" data-end=\"212\"\u003eSome Merlots are about plushness.\u003cbr data-start=\"186\" data-end=\"189\"\u003eOthers are about poise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"214\" data-end=\"644\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong data-start=\"218\" data-end=\"248\"\u003e2022 L’Ecole No. 41 Merlot\u003c\/strong\u003e lands in that beautiful middle space where Columbia Valley fruit feels generous, but the wine still carries shape, detail, and just enough savory edge to keep it grounded. L’Ecole describes red plum, dark cherry, and spiced berries with sage, licorice, and cedar, while the palate brings black currant and cocoa powder with a lingering, fine-grained finish. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"646\" data-end=\"1078\"\u003eThis is Washington Merlot in a confident, classic register: ripe but not heavy, polished without losing energy. Wine Enthusiast leans into a different side of the wine, noting blueberries, lilacs, a grilled-meat note, Bing cherry, and white tea, with firm but not grippy tannins and mouthwatering acidity. That combination makes this bottle feel both easy to pour and serious enough for dinner. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1080\" data-end=\"1102\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1080\" data-end=\"1102\"\u003eWhat It Feels Like\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1104\" data-end=\"1221\"\u003eThink early evening, a roast in the oven, good plates on the table, and a red that feels composed from the first sip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1223\" data-end=\"1651\"\u003eWhat makes this bottle work is the balance between fruit and savory structure. You get plum, cherry, and currant, but also herbs, cedar, cocoa, and that slightly old-world edge that keeps Merlot from feeling too soft or too simple. L’Ecole calls the finish charming and inviting, with lingering fine-grained tannins, and that’s exactly the feeling here: polished, complete, and ready to go. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1653\" data-end=\"1669\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1653\" data-end=\"1669\"\u003eIn the Glass\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1671\" data-end=\"1835\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1671\" data-end=\"1684\"\u003eAromatics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1684\" data-end=\"1687\"\u003eRed plum, dark cherry, spiced berries, sage leaf, licorice, cedar, and a floral lift that can read like lilac. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1837\" data-end=\"1990\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1837\" data-end=\"1847\"\u003ePalate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1847\" data-end=\"1850\"\u003eBlack currant, cherry, cocoa powder, warm spice, and savory herbal notes with a subtle old-world feel. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1992\" data-end=\"2173\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1992\" data-end=\"2003\"\u003eTexture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2003\" data-end=\"2006\"\u003eFull-bodied and juicy, with balanced acidity and fine-grained tannins that give the wine shape without making it feel aggressive. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2175\" data-end=\"2334\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2175\" data-end=\"2185\"\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2185\" data-end=\"2188\"\u003eLingering, polished, and quietly structured, with fruit, cocoa, spice, and cedar carrying through the close. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2336\" data-end=\"2363\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2336\" data-end=\"2363\"\u003eWhy We Love This Bottle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2365\" data-end=\"2585\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2365\" data-end=\"2408\"\u003eA Washington Merlot With Real Composure\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2408\" data-end=\"2411\"\u003eThis is not a soft, anonymous Merlot. It has generosity, but also structure, savory detail, and enough tension to make it feel complete. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2587\" data-end=\"2919\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2587\" data-end=\"2625\"\u003eFruit, Herbs, And Cedar In Balance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2625\" data-end=\"2628\"\u003eThe profile moves nicely between ripe plum and cherry fruit and more serious notes like sage, licorice, cedar, cocoa, and tea. That makes it appealing to both Merlot drinkers and Cabernet drinkers looking for something a little more polished and supple. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2921\" data-end=\"3141\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2921\" data-end=\"2975\"\u003eSerious Enough For Dinner, Easy Enough For A Glass\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2975\" data-end=\"2978\"\u003eThere’s plenty of structure here, but the tannins stay refined and the wine remains inviting. That’s a big part of the charm. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3143\" data-end=\"3159\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3143\" data-end=\"3159\"\u003ePair It With\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3161\" data-end=\"3309\"\u003e• Roast chicken with herbs\u003cbr data-start=\"3187\" data-end=\"3190\"\u003e• Steak or grilled lamb\u003cbr data-start=\"3213\" data-end=\"3216\"\u003e• Mushroom pasta\u003cbr data-start=\"3232\" data-end=\"3235\"\u003e• Burgers with aged cheddar\u003cbr data-start=\"3262\" data-end=\"3265\"\u003e• Lentils or farro with roasted vegetables\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3311\" data-end=\"3619\"\u003eThese are my pairing recommendations based on the wine’s mix of ripe fruit, savory herbs, cedar, cocoa, and fine tannin. That profile tends to work especially well with roasted meats, earth-driven dishes, and weeknight dinners that want a red with a little more shape. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3621\" data-end=\"3640\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3621\" data-end=\"3640\"\u003eTechnical Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3642\" data-end=\"3894\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3642\" data-end=\"3655\"\u003eProducer:\u003c\/strong\u003e L’Ecole No. 41\u003cbr data-start=\"3670\" data-end=\"3673\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3673\" data-end=\"3684\"\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Columbia Valley, Washington, USA\u003cbr data-start=\"3717\" data-end=\"3720\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3720\" data-end=\"3730\"\u003eGrape:\u003c\/strong\u003e 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec\u003cbr data-start=\"3789\" data-end=\"3792\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3792\" data-end=\"3802\"\u003eAging:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18 months in small oak barrels\u003cbr data-start=\"3833\" data-end=\"3836\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3836\" data-end=\"3848\"\u003eAlcohol:\u003c\/strong\u003e 14.5% \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3896\" data-end=\"4194\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3896\" data-end=\"3905\"\u003eBody:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full\u003cbr data-start=\"3910\" data-end=\"3913\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3913\" data-end=\"3927\"\u003eStructure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fine-grained tannins · balanced acidity · polished finish\u003cbr data-start=\"3985\" data-end=\"3988\"\u003eThis structural summary is based on the winery’s tasting notes and technical sheet, along with Wine Enthusiast’s description of the wine’s acidity and tannin profile. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4196\" data-end=\"4337\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"4196\" data-end=\"4214\"\u003eFlavor Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"4214\" data-end=\"4217\"\u003eRed Plum · Dark Cherry · Black Currant · Sage · Cedar · Cocoa · Licorice · Spice \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4339\" data-end=\"4547\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"4339\" data-end=\"4355\"\u003eDrink Window\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"4355\" data-end=\"4358\"\u003eNow–2030\u003cbr data-start=\"4366\" data-end=\"4369\"\u003eThis is my drinking-window recommendation based on the wine’s structure, acidity, oak aging, and current polished-but-still-fresh profile.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"West Seattle Wine Cellars","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46126587674812,"sku":"217","price":33.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0746\/8505\/5164\/files\/L_EcoleNo41MerlotColumbiaValleyUSA.webp?v=1774807875","url":"https:\/\/the-world-s-cellar.myshopify.com\/products\/2022-l-ecole-no-41-merlot-columbia-valley-usa","provider":"The World’s Cellar","version":"1.0","type":"link"}