Oregon wine: 2018 L’Ecole N° 41 Winery Perigee and individual components
Each year L’Ecole No 41 Winery creates their Perigee red blend with different percentages of several grape varietals; Cabernet sauvignon, Merlot, Malbet, Petit Verdot and Cabernet franc. All grown at the winery’s estate Seven Hills Vineyard, the blend celebrates the point in the moon’s orbit when it is nearest to the earth, also known as Perigee. Situated on the Oregon side of the Walla Walla Valley, L’Ecole uses grapes grown in the oldest blocks for this blend.
Wine blends are wonderful to enjoy, but the fun is turned up to 11 when I get to geek out and try each component separately too! Below, you’ll find my tasting notes and food pairing suggestions on the finished red blend. However, if you keep scrolling, you can read my tasting notes and comments on each varietal, bottled separately (without any oak influence). These notes offer a glimpse into what L’Ecole’s winemaker Marcus Rafanelli was tasting as he constructed this year’s Perigee blend. (Click here to read our Why Wine? interview with Marcus.)
L’Ecole occasionally offers this tasting experience so I encourage you to coordinate a visit if you too would like to try them individually.
Seven Hills Vineyard
Walla Walla Valley
Columbia Valley
Oregon
14.5% alcohol
Empty bottle weight:
27.4 ounces // 777 grams
Cork closure
1200 cases produced // LIVE-certified and Salmon-safe
50% Cabernet sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 16% Cabernet franc, 9% Malbec, 9% Petit Verdot
At an elevation of 900-1100 feet/274- 335 meters above sea level, the grapevines are rooted in deep, windblown loess soil. The Seven Hills Vineyard received 6-8 inches/15-20 of precipitation over the 2018 growing season, which was relatively mild and stress-free. Only grapes picked from the oldest and most distinguished blocks are considered for the Perigee blend. Aged in French oak (40% new) for 22 months, L’Ecole No 41 considers this one of its flagship wines.
COLOR
black cherry red
BOUQUET
violets
baking spices
blackberry
tangerine zest
fresh herbs
blueberry
FOOD PAIRING
SUGGESTIONS
blackened tofu topped with sour cherry and rosemary compote
roast duck with chestnut stuffing
sous vide steak
Seven Hills Vineyard
>> Individual Perigee components <<
2018 Cabernet sauvignon (50%)
BOUQUET
AND PALATE
Harvested Sept 26, 2018 from blocks 2, planted in 1997 & 13, planted in 1998
tart // very fruity // great acidity // silky tannins // long finish
black cherry
earthy
fresh herbs
gravel dust
graphite
black raspberry
2018 Merlot (16%)
BOUQUET
AND PALATE
Harvested Sept 11, 2018 from blocks 6, planted in 1997 & 15, planted in 1998
kiss of sweetness // drying tannins // long finish
red cherry
chocolate
red plum
fresh herbs
cedar
cherry pie
2018 Cabernet franc (16%)
BOUQUET
AND PALATE
Harvested Sept 18, 2018 from block 8A, planted in 1997
elegant and pretty // bright // grippy tannins // very different from other Cab francs
rose petals
red licorice
strawberry
blueberry
baking spices
red cherry
2018 Malbec (9%)
BOUQUET
AND PALATE
Harvested Oct 8, 2018 from block 34, planted in 2006
prominent tannins, // lots of acidity // long finish
blackberry
black cherry
2018 Petit Verdot (9%)
BOUQUET
AND PALATE
Harvested Oct 12, 2018 from block 31, planted in 2006
fruity // bright
cocoa powder
black raspberry
blueberry
bakers chocolate
cigar box
maple syrup
Have you tasted this wine? Be sure to tell us how you like it in the comments!
Read about more Oregon wines we highlighted during Oregon Wine Month:
Read about more Oregon wines we highlighted during Oregon Wine Month:
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About the Author: Michele Francisco
