A Unique & Refreshing White Wine From Washington
You heard me right, I said Washington. It’s a region we haven’t spoken about enough here at WineExpedition. The state up in the Northwestern corner of the country that’s known for its apples and evergreens has been making some noteworthy wine for years. Cabernet and Syrah is what you’ll hear about most, but today I’m gonna tell you about a glass of white wine that recently got my attention. Read on….
With summer right around the corner, it’s time to stock up on good barbecue wines. Sauvignon Blanc instantly comes to my mind – a refreshing, zingy white wine – perfect for a lazy, Sunday afternoon.
But the bottle that came across my desk this week from L’Ecole Nº 41 in Walla Walla Valley isn’t a mere Sauvignon Blanc. As a matter of fact, the ‘08 L’Ecole Nº 41 Luminesce blend is only 30% Sauv Blanc, with the other 70% being Sémillon. Yup; somehow this Bordeaux grape has found its way into the Walla Walla valley, and L’Ecole winemaker/co-owner Martin Clubb is making it his own.
I was curious about this one, which the good folks at L’Ecole Nº 41 sent us a few months ago, but I was saving it for warmer weather (January in Los Angeles can get pretty chilly, and I don’t like drinking white wine whilst bundled up in a hoodie.) So, this weekend I decided to pop the cork and enjoy it as a Sunday afternoon aperitif wine.
The wine has a nice pale yellow hue in the glass, with aromas of sweet pineapples that hit me as I lifted the glass to my nose. On the palate, tropical flavors are everywhere: along with a dash of melon and a layer of creamy peach. The creaminess is a nice surprise, provided no doubt by the Sémillon. Don’t get me wrong, it still has that crisp Sauv Blanc finish that we all know and love, but the heart of the palate is rich and creamy, with hints of honey, mint and spices hanging out on the back of my tongue. If you want to try a white wine with an unexpected twist, the L’Ecole Luminesce is a good call, especially at only $19.
By the way, it’s not just me- Wine Enthusiast scored ths one a 91.
Until next time…
Actually Washington is known more for its Merlot than its Cab Sauv, although we have shining examples of both. When it comes to whites we are known much more for our Rieslings than our White Bordeaux blends.
I sampled this wine just last night at a sneak peak at Seattle Wine Awards. This wine just won double gold at the Seattle Wine Awards. It is was delightful and refreshing paired with rich crab cakes!
Crab cakes sound like a great calll… (wish I woulda had some). Good to know about the Merlot; I actually was planning on opening the L’Ecole no. 41 Merlot this week…!